Dear Neighbor,

As we near the end of August, I hope you enjoy the remaining weeks of summer. I would like to acknowledge and express my appreciation of the wonderful cohort of high school and college students who interned in my office this summer: Harrison Fintz, Kate Deming, Lynn Egan, Tamar Levanon, Diya Manguraj, Helen Mancini, and Lauren Hynes. Many thanks to all of you for your great work!

It has been a while since I last shared COVID-19 updates due to the public health emergency expiring and community transmission levels remaining relatively constant. We are currently experiencing a new wave, which is causing an uptick in Coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. Therefore, I have provided resources that are available and information that is helpful to know.

Below you will also find information about virtual town halls I am holding in September, upcoming off-site constituent service hours, op-eds I wrote about Madison Square Garden's special permit application and reducing housing insecurity among college students, and other helpful community events and updates.

Stay safe and healthy. As always, if you have any questions or need assistance, please email or call my office at [email protected] or 212-490-9535.

Best,

Liz Krueger

State Senator

COVID-19 Updates

As mentioned above, we are currently experiencing a new wave of the Coronavirus in the U.S., including in New York. If you need COVID-19 testing or treatment, please see the resources below. As a friendly reminder, when community transmission rates are increasing, such as now, you can help to protect yourself and others from contracting the Coronavirus by wearing a high-quality mask in public indoor spaces, staying home if you're not feeling well, and getting tested if you experience symptoms or learn you've been exposed to someone with COVID-19.

Free COVID-19 rapid at-home test kits: If you experience symptoms, it is helpful to be able to take a test at home. The following locations are distributing free rapid at-home test kits through August 27th:

Monday-Friday, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.

• NY Public Library, 127 East 58th Street, NY 10022
• NY Public Library, 328 East 67th Street, NY 10065
• NY Public Library, 112 East 96th Street, NY 10128
• NY Public Library, Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library, 40 West 20th Street #1, NY 10011
• NY Public Library, Epiphany, 228 East 23rd Street, NY 10010
• NY Public Library, Roosevelt Island, 524 Main Street, NY 10044

Thursday & Friday, 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., unless noted otherwise below

• Constance Baker Motley Rec Center, 348 East 54th Street, NY 10022
• Chelsea Rec Center, 430 West 25th Street, NY 10001 (Sat., 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
• Constance Baker Motley Rec Center, 348 East 54th Street, NY 10022 (Thursday & Friday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)

Please visit the NYC Health Department Free COVID-19 Testing and Treatment web page for updates. If you have COVID-19 rapid test kits at home and you are unsure whether they have expired, please visit the FDA At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests web page to check the accurate expiration date.

Keep in mind that rapid tests are not as accurate as PCR tests. If a rapid at-home test provides a negative result that you suspect is inaccurate, you can also get PCR testing at community testing sites.

COVID-19 PCR community testing: Free COVID-19 PCR testing is available by appointment only at NYC Health Department COVID-19 Express testing sites. The Manhattan testing site is located at: RIVERSIDE C19 TEST CLINIC, 160 West 100th Street (between Columbus & Amsterdam Avenues). Appointments can be made online at the NYC Health Department COVID-19 Express Testing web page.

PCR testing is also available at NYC Health + Hospital’s 11 acute facilities and Gotham Health clinics for NYC Health + Hospital patients. For more information, please visit the NYC Health Department Free COVID-19 Testing and Treatment web page.

COVID-19 Treatment: If you test positive for COVID-19, Paxlovid is still available at no charge. Contact your primary care physician, consult with NYC Health + Hospitals Virtual ExpressCare, find a test-to-treat location, or call 212-268-4319 to discuss whether you should take Paxlovid and to get the medication.

Additional Information and Current COVID-19 Wave and Variant Data: The following is a short list of helpful resources that provide additional information about the current wave and what to know if you contract the Coronavirus.

• Riding the COVID-19 waves: 2023 style by Dr. Katelyn Jetelina
• What to Know About the Latest Covid Wave in New York City (New York Times)
• A new variant: BA.2.86 by Dr. Katelyn Jetelina
• COVID-19 Data in New York (NYS Department of Health)
• COVID-19 Data in New York City (NYC Health Department)

COVID-19 Fraud: The U.S. Department of Justice has issued alerts regarding a variety of COVID-19 scams to be aware of, which include:

• Marketing fraudulent and/or unapproved COVID-19 antibody tests and obtaining an individual’s personal and health information;
• Scammers selling fake COVID-19 test kits and unapproved treatments through telemarketing calls, social media platforms, and door-to-door visits;
• Fraudulent medical billing;
• Unsolicited telephone calls and emails from individuals claiming to be IRS and Treasury employees; and
• Unemployment insurance fraud

For additional details, please visit the U.S. Department of Justice Coronavirus Response web page. If you believe that you have been a victim of a scam or attempted fraud, the following are steps you should take:

• Report the incident by calling the Department of National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form.
• Report COVID-19 scams to the Federal Trade Commission online or by calling 877-382-4357.
• Check your explanation of benefits and report any cases of fraudulent medical billing to your health insurance provider.

A Simple Guide to Credit, Income Taxes, and Investing 

A Three-Part Financial Road Map

Tuesdays, September 12, 19 & 26 from 7 pm-8 pm

Is managing personal your personal finances challenging? Are you struggling with debt, credit card bills or taxes, or wondering how to invest for the future? If so, don’t miss important conversations on debt, credit scores, income taxes, and the pros and cons of investing in stocks, bonds, and alternative assets. Experts from the nonprofit Financial Planning Association of Metro New York will provide insights on the steps you can take to improve your financial life. Each hour-long session will include a Question-and-Answer section moderated by Senator Krueger.

Tuesday, September 12 from 7 pm – 8 pm

Part I - A Guide to Eliminating Debt, Understanding Credit, Credit Cards, and Your Credit Score

• Anja Luesink, Advocacy Committee Member, Financial Planning Association of Metro NY
• Stephanie Chau, Advocacy Committee Member, Financial Planning Association of Metro NY

Tuesday, September 19 from 7 pm – 8 pm

Part II - Income Tax Planning: A brief overview of how much tax you pay and how to manage taxes effectively 

• Anja Luesink, Advocacy Committee Member, Financial Planning Association of Metro NY
• Stephanie Chau, Advocacy Committee Member, Financial Planning Association of Metro NY

Tuesday, September 26 from 7 pm – 8 pm

Part III - The Power of Investing: Stocks, Bonds and Alternative Assets

• Tim Hamilton, President-Elect, Financial Planning Association of Metro NY
• Edward Hadad, Board Member, Financial Planning Association of Metro NY

You will have the option of joining online through Zoom or Facebook, or by phone. Please note that you do not need a Facebook account to view an event through Facebook. After you register, a confirmation email with the Zoom link and the call-in information will be sent in advance of the event. Following each event, a recording will be emailed to everyone to who registered and posted on my website.

Please let us know if you plan to attend any or all of the sessions and RSVP to https://tinyurl.com/FinancialRoadMapTownHall.

Our constituent services team will be out and about in the district next week. Stop by with questions, concerns, or just to say hi!

Monday, August 28, 1pm - 3pm (with Council Member Julie Menin's office)

Webster Library

1465 York Avenue (between 77 & 78th Streets)

Wednesday, August 30, 10:30am - 12:30pm

Carter Burden Older Adult Center

546 Main Street, Ground Floor Lobby

Roosevelt Island

If you unable to attend these constituent service hours, we are available to provide assistance in the District Office (generally Monday through Friday, 9:30am-5:30pm). Please call us at 212-490-9535 or email [email protected].

Last week, the New York Daily News published an op-ed that I co-authored State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Tony Simone urging New York City to reject Madison Square Garden's pending special permit application to operate its arena in perpetuity. In the piece, we argue that the busiest transit train station in the Western Hemisphere should not be hampered any longer by an arena that creates safety hazards on the platforms and prevents us from building a station that adequately accommodates commuters and visitors from around the world. However, if New York City ultimately decides to grant a special permit, the permit should be for a maximum of three years and be contingent on MSG cooperating with the railroads to make the arena fully compatible with the planned redesign of Penn Station, transforming how it handles its loading operations, and improving access to above and below ground public spaces.

Earlier this month, City Limits published an op-ed I drafted with Ann Shalof, the Executive Director of the Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter (NCS). The article describes an innovative pilot program started by NCS that provides year-round housing and support services to unhoused college students, addressing not only homelessness but also the challenges that typically accompany it. A 2019 survey of CUNY students found that 55 percent had lived with housing insecurity, and 14 percent, or about 34,000 students, were unhoused at some point while in school. It is critically important to study and replicate successful, cost-effective programs like NCS Scholars that make it easier for young people to succeed in school and get on the path to long-term stability.

NYC residents can now submit claims to the NYC Department of Social Services/Human Resources Administration to request the replacement of SNAP and Cash Assistance benefits stolen electronically. As a result of a change in federal law earlier this year, NYC is able to reimburse households whose SNAP benefits were electronically stolen between October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2024. Due to a change in state law, NYC can also reimburse households for Cash Assistance benefits stolen stolen electronically on or after Jan 1, 2022. 

If your benefits were stolen before August 21, 2023, you must submit a claim by October 21, 2023. If your benefits have been stolen on or after August 21, 2023, you must submit a claim 30 days from the date you discover the fraudulent transactions.

Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) food benefits are not SNAP benefits and are NOT eligible to be replaced.

What is Skimming?

Electronic benefit theft (also known as “skimming” “phishing” or “card cloning”) is a type of theft where thieves gain access to your benefits electronically, even if you never lose your EBT card. Thieves put an overlay on a store’s card-swiping machine to copy EBT, credit, and debit card information. The thieves use the information to make fake cards (called “clones”) and use them to steal money from accounts. Skimming can happen anywhere you swipe your EBT card. Your benefits can be stolen through skimming even if you always have possession of your EBT card.

What should you do if your SNAP or Cash Assistance benefits are stolen?

• Report Your EBT Card as Stolen Immediately: You must report your EBT card stolen, change your pin, and request a new card by calling the EBT Customer Service line at 888-328-6399 or online here. 
• Obtain EBT Transaction History: You will need the fraudulent transaction history to submit a claim for replacement benefits. You can obtain your transaction history by calling the EBT Customer Service line at 888-328-6399 or online here. You can find the Connect EBT User Guide here. You will need to obtain the following for each fraudulent transaction:
• Date each transaction occurred
• Name and address of the business where the transaction occurred
• Benefit type (SNAP or Cash Assistance)
• The amount of each fraudulent transaction 
• Submit a Claim for Replacement Benefits: The easiest and quickest way to submit a claim is online here. To submit a claim, you will need to provide the following information:
• Client Identification Number (CIN)
• HRA Case Number (This can be find on HRA notices or on your Access HRA account)
• Current Mailing Address
• Date, location, benefit type, and amount of each fraudulent transaction
• The date you realized your benefits were stolen

If you need assistance, you can go to your local Benefits Access Center, SNAP, or HASA Center to submit a claim. You can also submit a paper claim and mail it to:

NYC Dept of Social Services, PO Box 02-9121, Brooklyn GPO, Brooklyn, NY 11202

When will I receive my replacement benefits? 

Once a claim is submitted, you should allow up to 30 calendar days to receive a decision notice in the mail. You should anticipate receiving your replacement benefits on your newest and most recently used EBT card at or around the time you receive your notice of determination.

You will be reimbursed the total amount that was stolen, or two months' worth of your average benefits allotment, whichever is less. Please note that there are limits on the number of reimbursement requests that can be submitted each year. 

How do I prevent skimming?

• Click here to learn how to detect an overlay on a card-swiping machine.
• Change your pin frequently. If you change your PIN after every transaction, anyone attempting to steal your benefits will no longer have the correct information to access your account.
• Check your EBT transactions frequently for any suspicious transactions. If you believe your benefits have been stolen, report that your EBT card has been stolen and request a new card.
• Do not share your personal identification number (PIN) with anyone that you do not want to use your account. New York State, county, and EBT staff will never ask you to share your PIN. If someone asks you to tell them your PIN, assume it is a scam.
• Never write your PIN on your card or the card sleeve.
• If you need someone outside your household to access your EBT benefits on your behalf, contact your local Department of Social Services about naming an Authorized Representative on your case.
• Cover the keypad when you enter your PIN on a machine.
• Never let anyone, even a store cashier, see you enter your PIN at a machine. 

If you need assistance submitting a claim, my office is available to help. Please call 212-490-9535. 

A special shuttle train will be operated by the MTA during this period on a single track between East 63rd Street in Manhattan and 21st Street in Queens (stopping at Roosevelt Island) at 20 minute intervals. The MTA will be also operating free shuttle buses (the Q95 and Q94) connecting Roosevelt Island with the Queens Plaza and 21 St-Queensbridge subway stations. More details are available on the MTA's website here.

RIOC has already started operating a Red Shuttle Bus each weekend afternoon between the Roosevelt Island Tramway stop and the Manhattan Tramway stop (Southside of 2nd Avenue between 58th and 59th Streets). The shuttle departs hourly from the Roosevelt Island Tramway stop starting at 3pm, making all northbound local stops on the island to Capobianco Field (Opposite PS/IS 217). Return service from Manhattan to Roosevelt Island starts at 3:30 PM and departs hourly on the half hour from the Southwest side of 2nd Avenue, between 58th & 59th Street. The last trip from Roosevelt Island departs at 7pm. The last return trip from Manhattan departs at 7:30pm.

The Excelsior Scholarship, in combination with other student financial aid programs, allows many students to attend a SUNY or CUNY college tuition-free. The program covers tuition for eligible SUNY and CUNY students. For the 2023-24 academic year, families are New York State residents and who earned $125,000 or less in the tax year 2021 are eligible to apply. Learn more and apply online here.

Important Info for New Yorkers Covered by Medicaid, Child Health Plus, or the Essential Plan