New Funds to Provide Hurricane Ida Relief to Undocumented New Yorkers

Governor Kathy Hochul announced $27 million is available to provide relief to undocumented survivors of the storms and flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. This funding will be distributed through grants to an established network of community organizations and provided to New Yorkers who are not eligible to receive storm recovery assistance through the FEMA Individual Assistance Program or other means.

Not-for-profit partner organizations will begin providing assistance and accepting applications on Monday, September 27, 2021. The application period will close on Friday, November 26, 2021.

In order to qualify for this program, the applicants must a) themselves not be eligible for FEMA assistance and b) not have an individual in their household who is eligible for assistance.

To get connected with assistance, impacted residents should call the ONA Hotline at 1-800-566-7636, 9:00am to 8:00pm, Monday through Friday, or visit the partner not-for-profits starting September 27. Hotline assistance is available in over 200 languages. Please find the locations below.

Suffolk County

• Make the Road, 1090 Suffolk Ave, Brentwood, NY 11717
• (631)-231-2220
• For more information, click here.

Nassau County

• Economic Opportunity Commission of Nassau County, 134 Jackson Street, Hempstead, NY 11550
• (516)-292-9710
• For more information, click here.

NYS FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers

Both Nassau County and Suffolk County were recently approved to be added to the Major Disaster Declaration for both Individual and Public Assistance. Personnel from state agencies such as the Department of Financial Services, Department of Health, Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, Office of Children and Family Services and Department of Labor will be stationed within the DRCs to connect impacted citizens with state programs or services that may be available to assist them in their recovery. Residents can visit full-service centers to apply for assistance, check on their application status, and ask questions.

FEMA Disaster Recovery Center for Nassau County

Location: Senator Michael Tully Park
1801 Evergreen Avenue, New Hyde Park, NY 11040
Operating times: 8am – 7pm Daily

FEMA Disaster Recovery Center for Suffolk County

Location: Rose Caracappa Senior Center
739 NY-25A, Mt Sinai, NY 11768
Operating times: 8am-7pm daily

For additional online resources, as well as FEMA downloadable pamphlets and other aids, please click here, or call 800-621-3362

Restaurant Meals Program Signed Into Law

Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed legislation establishing a statewide Restaurant Meals Program as part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Once approved by the USDA, the law will allow those who are homeless, disabled, or over 60 to use their SNAP benefits to receive prepared or hot food from participating restaurants.

In addition to helping those who may encounter challenges cooking and storing food, Governor Hochul announced the creation of a Restaurant Resiliency Program that will enable food pantries to contract with restaurants. The Long Island region has been awarded $1.5 million with Island Harvest and Long Island Cares receiving $793,657 each, which will provide relief to the restaurant industry which continues to face challenges due to COVID-19. Restaurants can apply for this program by clicking here.

To learn more about the Restaurant Meals Program, click here.

Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project

ABOUT THE JOSEPH P. DWYER VETERANS PEER SUPPORT PROJECT:

The Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project is based on the principles of mutual self-help. By bringing veterans together to share experiences, camaraderie and support, each has the opportunity to speak freely and openly about their military service without judgment. The Dwyer Project is staffed by veterans of all eras who have experienced their own readjustments to civilian life. By facilitating group discussions and engaging in activities of mutual interest, veterans build trust, learn from each other, and overcome common challenges.

Weekly group meetings are held in accessible locations throughout Suffolk County. They are facilitated by trained veterans, who are backed-up by a team of behavioral health professionals and resource experts. Veterans may participate in multiple groups or find one that matches his or her needs and interests.

To learn more about the services provided, please email vetspeertopeer@suffolkcountyny.gov, call (631)-853-8345 or click here.

The Dwyer Project Brochure can be found here.

Direct Services of Health & Welfare Council of Long Island

Healthcare

The HWCLI Healthcare Access Team helps our clients find health insurance plans that best fits their medical and financial needs. We have an outstanding health care team of certified navigators who help individuals and families enroll in free or low-cost health insurance plans through the New York State Health Marketplace. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the open enrollment period has been extended to December 31, 2021. Enroll with one of our navigators today!

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

HWCLI connects Long Islanders with SNAP benefits by assisting with applications and enrollment and providing necessary education and outreach through community events at the grassroots level. SNAP provides nutrition assistance to eligible individuals and families. In response to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was passed. This federal act allows the issuance of emergency allotment supplemental benefits to households who receive SNAP benefits.

For additional information about the services offered by HWCLI, click here.

Long Island Storm Replacement Benefits Information- Nassau County

Have your clients lost food because of an emergency (flooding, loss of power)? If they receive SNAP benefits, they may be able to get some SNAP dollars added back to their EBT card.

For more information, Click here.

Realtors Relief Fund

The Long Island Board of REALTORS® is helping those displaced by Ida’s flooding. Have you been negatively affected by Hurricane Ida and need housing assistance? You may be eligible to receive housing assistance. LIBOR, in partnership with the REALTORS® Relief Foundation and New York Association of REALTORS® is providing assistance to those in need.

Assistance is available to qualified applicants towards one of the following options:

· 1) Monthly mortgage expense for the primary residence that was damaged by the Hurricane Ida Disaster or;

· 2) Rental cost due to displacement from the primary residence resulting from the Hurricane Ida Disaster. Relief assistance is limited to a maximum of $2,000 per applicant per household. Please read application for complete requirements, eligibility and restrictions on use. Deadline for application submission is October 31, 2021.

If you would like to apply online, click here.

If you would like to mail you application, download and print the application here and send to:

IDA RELIEF APPLICATION

c/o Long Island Board of REALTORS®

300 Sunrise Highway

West Babylon, NY 11704

Any questions? Please email idarelief@lirealtor.com

Home Energy Assistance Program

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Regular Arrears Supplement (RAS) benefit is a one-time benefit funded with the HEAP appropriation received under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. This benefit will be available from September 22, 2021 through September 30, 2022 or until funding is exhausted, whichever occurs first.

RAS benefits are a Regular HEAP supplement available to assist HEAP eligible households who have electricity and/or gas account arrears as documented by their utility vendor. Only one RAS benefit per current electricity and/or gas account is permitted, and total RAS benefits must not exceed $10,000 per applicant household. Applications can be filed online through mybenefits.ny.gov

Households who received a Regular benefit in any amount through the application or Autopay processes, currently have an open HEAP, TA or SNAP case, and have not moved since receiving their Regular benefit do not need to complete a new HEAP Application and may apply using only the RAS Worksheet.

For more information, please click here.

New York State Lawmakers Extend Eviction Moratoriums

After the United States Supreme Court refused to extend the nationwide eviction moratorium, New York lawmakers have extended the moratorium so it will stay in effect until January 15, 2022. Thousands of New Yorkers who were facing evictions now have access to additional aid.

For more information regarding the legislation, click here.

Financial Recovery Resources for Households, Small Businesses & Non-profit Organizations

Boost Nassau Resource Center – Connects residents, businesses, and non-profits with COVID-19 financial recovery grant and loan programs. Newly added to the Center is the BOOST Main Street Small Business Grant Program and the Boost Nassau Nonprofit Grant. The Household Assistance Program will be released soon.

Entities can make an appointment with the Boost Nassau Resource Team to find out which resources align with various recovery needs. The Center is in Eisenhower Park and can also be reached at (516) 572-2888.

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance – Provides financial assistance for funerals that have resulted from deaths related to COVID-19.

Vaccinations at Your Workplace!

Businesses, non-profit organizations and municipalities can request for the Nassau County Department of Health to come to your place of work to provide vaccines for you and your co-workers. To request a vaccination event at your workplace, call (516) 227-9570.