Email from NYS Senate Updates and Upcoming Events   Dear Neighbor, It would be the understatement of the year to say that this has been an eventful month. Between the new administration in Washington, the new legislative session in Albany, and the start of the state budget season, there has been more news than most people can keep track of. Unfortunately, the news from Washington has been almost exclusively bad. Far from focusing on the kitchen-table issues that led many voters to throw the dice and vote for him, President Trump has been engaged in implementing the Project 2025 culture war against immigrants, LGBTQ people, people of color, women, and anybody who disagrees with his party line. These destructive motivations led to last week's ridiculous and potentially disastrous Executive Order freezing federal grants and loans in the name of fighting "Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies" (whatever those are), which was quickly rescinded after broad, bipartisan outrage and multiple legal challenges. They are also driving this week's attack on Americans' wallets in the form of 25% tariffs on goods imported from Canada, Mexico, and China, which it has been reported will "translate to a $835 hit per person in the United States, or $3,342 for a family of four." New Yorkers will be hit particularly hard, since Canada is our largest trading partner. Needless to say, I and my colleagues in Albany are closely monitoring the developments being lobbed at us all from the White House, and are in constant discussion about what can be done at the state level to both protect New Yorkers and actually advance policies that increase affordability, prosperity, and quality of life for everyone. Along those lines, the state budget process has begun in Albany, kicked off with the governor's release of her Executive Budget Proposal, followed by the start of the Joint Legislative Budget Hearings, which, as Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, I run with my Assembly Ways and Means colleague Assm. Gary Pretlow. For more details on what's included in the Governor's budget proposal, click here. For the Senate Finance Committee's analysis of the Governor's budget, known as the Blue Book, click here. For more information on the budget hearing schedule, including how to watch and how to submit testimony, click here. Budget hearings will run until the middle of February. Then, in early March, the Assembly and the Senate will each release our "one-house budgets," which serve as the Legislature's response to the Governor's proposal. Following the one-house budgets, the Assembly, Senate, and Governor's office engage in three-way negotiations to try to reach agreement on a final budget that must be passed by April 1st. Below you will find updates on other legislative activity, as well as upcoming events and other useful information. As always, if you have any questions or need assistance, please email or call my office at [email protected] or 212-490-9535. Liz Krueger State Senator Senate Passes Bills On Reproductive Freedom, Women’s Health and Privacy This past month, the Senate advanced legislation to strengthen abortion rights and ensure access to reproductive healthcare for all New Yorkers. This action builds on the resounding message delivered by New York voters this past November, when they overwhelmingly passed Proposition 1, the Equal Rights Amendment. Today it's as important as it has ever been to protect the reproductive rights of all New Yorkers in the face of what we can only anticipate will be an onslaught from the new administration in Washington. The bills in this package, including mine to protect health data privacy (which also passed the Assembly) and to establish a state abortion clinical training program, will help ensure that critical reproductive healthcare remains accessible for New Yorkers and those who come to our state seeking care. The legislation passed by the Senate includes: ● Amends The Reproductive Freedom and Equity Grant Program: This bill, S.135, sponsored by Senator Cordell Cleare, amends the Reproductive Freedom and Equity Grant program to provide practical support including reimbursement for travel, meals, and lodging to individuals accessing abortion care. ● Prohibits ‘restricted substances’ in menstrual products: This bill, S.1548, sponsored by Senator Nathalia Fernandez, prohibits “restricted substances,” to be determined by the Department of Health (DOH), from being used in menstrual products. ● The New York State Abortion Clinical Training Program Act: This bill, S.1438, sponsored by Senator Krueger, would establish a clinical training program through the Department of Health (DOH) for the purpose of training healthcare practitioners in the performance of abortion procedures and related reproductive healthcare services. ● Protection of Health Information: This bill, S.929, sponsored by Senator Krueger, would regulate how companies collect and sell healthcare information, establish data privacy standards for entities that collect personal data related to individuals’ health and provide additional rights and protections to users related to consent and deletion of private health information. ● Permitting alternative labeling for medication abortion prescription drugs: This bill, S.36A, sponsored by Senator Shelley Mayer, would permit prescription labels for medication abortion prescription drugs (mifepristone, misoprostol and their generic alternatives) to include the name of the prescribing health care practice instead of the name of the prescriber or dispensing provider at the prescriber or dispensing provider's request. ● The Public University Emergency Contraception Education Act: This bill, S.1683, sponsored by Senator Kevin Parker, would require public universities to develop, produce and distribute materials related to emergency contraception. ● Raising Awareness to Hormone Therapy Treatments for Menopause: This bill, S.1720, sponsored by Senator Roxanne J. Persaud, would inform the public about hormone treatment therapy for treating the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause symptoms through the DOH’s Health Care and Wellness Education and Outreach Program. ● Authorizing pharmacists to administer contraceptive use injections: This bill, S.1703, sponsored by Senator Lea Webb, permits pharmacists to administer injections for contraceptive use as prescribed by a licensed provider acting within the scope of their practice. ● Supplemental breast cancer screening coverage contractual clause: This bill, S.1773, sponsored by Senator Lea Webb, requires state contracts for goods and services to include a clause that contractors may not offer health insurance plans that do not include coverage for supplemental breast cancer screenings. Click Here to Watch Sen. Krueger Speak on the Reproductive Rights Bills Legislation To Protect Ground Lease Coops Last week, I reintroduced legislation (S.2433/A.2619) with Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal to address the unique challenges faced by more than 25,000 New Yorkers living in ground lease co-ops. Unlike traditional co-ops, ground lease co-ops do not own the land beneath their buildings, and instead lease the land from landowners. With virtually no protections or regulations governing how landowners are held accountable, ground lease co-op buildings are one of the last unprotected classes of 'tenants' in New York. Today, residents — many of whom are elderly or on fixed incomes — face rising land values and exploitative rent hikes that threaten their homes. This legislation aims to remedy the fundamental flaws in the residential ground lease system and to address the vast power imbalance between landowners and residents. S.2433/A.2619 prioritizes the remaining protections that ground lease co-op residents still lack including: Reasonable rent increases Right to renew upon lease expiration Right to borrow for repairs, maintenance, and capital improvement Right of first refusal to purchase the land beneath their homes under the same terms offered to other potential buyers Originally established to support middle-class homeownership, ground lease co-ops are located across New York City and Westchester, with up to 50% of New York’s ground lease co-ops located in Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. Residents in these buildings are predominantly middle class, with an average income slightly above the city's median of $76,000. The thousands of New Yorkers living in ground lease co-ops represent the diversity of our city and state: many are longtime residents, middle-income families, and retirees who first built their lives in these homes decades ago. Like all residents, they deserve the right to stay in the homes and communities they have built. This legislation will finally address the legal gaps facing ground lease co-op residents and provide much-needed protections. I will continue to push for passage of this bill to build on our progress and secure a fairer housing landscape for the 25,000 New Yorkers who reside in them. Click Here to View Video of Sen. Krueger Speaking About S.2433 Senate Passes Bills On Ratepayer Affordability This week the Senate passed a package of legislation to further protect ratepayers across New York State. This package includes legislation to establish affordable payment plan options for eligible utility customers; to protect utility customers from service terminations and late fees during Public Service Commission (PSC) investigations of a utility company; and to require the PSC to evaluate the economic implications of potential rate increase or change on utility customers. The legislation included: ● Utility Hikes Economic Impact: This bill, S.1847, sponsored by Senator Leroy Comrie, would require the Public Service Commission to consider the economic impact of utility rates and charges when evaluating utilities’ proposed rate changes. ● The Consumer Utility Protections During Investigations (CUPDI) Act: This bill, S.904, sponsored by Senator Kristen Gonzalez, would protect utility customers from service terminations and overdue charges while the Public Service Commission investigates a utility. In addition, it requires customers to be notified when an investigation is taking place. ● Limiting Estimated Billing: This bill, S.2182, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, requires utility companies to perform actual meter readings rather than estimated bills to ensure ratepayers are only charged for what they owe. ● Strengthen Utility Storm Response and Compliance: This bill, S.1701, sponsored by Senator Shelley Mayer would incentivize better regulatory compliance by utilities through increased flexibility for the Public Service Commission to assess penalties on utilities for violations of the Public Service Law that relate to storm response and compliance, and to expand emergency response plan requirements. ● Utilities to Adopt the Common Equity Ratio: This bill, S.1896, sponsored by Senator Shelley Mayer would require electric corporations, gas corporations, steam corporations, and water-works corporations to use standardized return on equity calculations set by the Public Service Commission to ensure a fair and reasonable standard. ● Limits Fixed Charges: This bill, S.1329, sponsored by Senator Kevin Parker, would direct the Department of Public Service to adjust each utility corporation's residential fixed charge upon such corporation's filing with the Department regarding rate schedule amendments, to recover only the fixed costs and operation and maintenance expenses directly related to metering, billing, service connections and the provision of customer service. ● Establishing affordable payment plans for eligible utility customers: This bill, S.1330, sponsored by Senator Kevin Parker, would require utility companies to establish a statewide program to provide individuals who participate in various social services programs with affordable payment plans. ● Establishing minimum standards for payment plans for eligible utility customers: This bill, S.1327, sponsored by Senator Kevin Parker, would require the Public Service Commission to set standards and eligibility requirements for affordable payment plans. ● Home Energy Assistance Re-enrollment: This bill, S.1966, sponsored by Senator Chris Ryan, would require social services districts to automatically re-enroll eligible persons or households for the low-income home energy assistance program (LIHEAP) if they remain eligible. Statement On The Roosevelt Island Tram I have been closely following the issues surrounding overcrowding on the Roosevelt Island Tram, and the concerns expressed by residents. The Tram’s popularity during peak tourist season is having a severe impact on residents, causing real hardship on daily commutes to work, school, or critical appointments. For this reason, I support the resolution passed by Community Board 8 requesting that NYC residents be given priority boarding on the Tram. However, I also understand the complex practical realities that make this approach challenging to implement, including State Transportation Law, contracts between RIOC and the MTA, and other franchise agreements with the City. I urge RIOC to explore workable options for implementing the resolution and present their findings to the community. In the meantime, I continue to press RIOC to increase the speed of the Tram to what it previously was, and I am pleased that the FCC dedicated signal for the Tram has been approved, which should expedite this process. Sen. Krueger's Guide to Abortion Care in NYC My office recently produced a Guide to Abortion Care in New York City, a resource for individuals seeking information about accessing abortion care and contraception in New York City, including information about New York State abortion law, abortion services and procedures, and how to access abortion care and contraception. The guide includes a list of telehealth medication abortion providers, as well as community-based abortion clinics and hospital and hospital-based abortion centers. You can view the guide or download a PDF by clicking below. If you would like a hard copy mailed to you, please call my office at 212-490-9535, or email [email protected]. Click Here to View the Guide to Abortion Care in NYC Health Updates I hope that you are staying healthy during this time of year when multiple respiratory illnesses and viruses are circulating. Many New Yorkers are contracting the flu (type A and B), COVID-19, Pneumonia, RSV, and the Norovirus. During this time of year, it is particularly important to take preventive measures, including: Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly and frequently; Disinfect surfaces; Wear a high-quality mask to help prevent contracting or spreading respiratory illness if you have symptoms, are recovering from an illness, or if you will be around a crowd of people in an indoor public setting or outside; Stay home if you are sick; and Stay up to date with vaccinations. Flu, COVID-19, Pneumonia, and RSV vaccinations are available at some doctors' offices, urgent care centers, pharmacies, and community health centers, or at the NYC Health Department Immunization clinic. It is not too late to get a flu shot - even if you have already had a case of type A or B flu, it is still possible to get a case of the other flu type. This is also an important time to get the updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine if you have not already done so. Because some of these illnesses have similar symptoms, it can be difficult to know if you have a bad cold or a case of the flu, COVID-19, or RSV. Testing for flu, COVID-19, and RSV is available at some doctors' offices, urgent care centers, community health centers, and at the NYC Health Department's COVID Express site. If you are experiencing symptoms, it is important to get tested right away in case you need medication to help prevent severe health outcomes. Tamiflu is generally prescribed within the first two days of having flu symptoms, and Paxlovid is generally prescribed within the first five days of having COVID-19 symptoms. You can also visit the following resources to view information: What You Need To Know About COVID-19, Flu and RSV (NYC Health Department) Similarities and Differences between Flu and COVID-19 (CDC) The Norovirus is a very contagious virus that is also circulating in New York City. People of all ages can contract the Norovirus and the most common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. The Norovirus can be transmitted by: Having direct contact with someone who has the Norovirus. Examples of direct contact include caring for the person, sharing food or utensils with them, or eating food that was handled by them. Eating food, such as raw shellfish, fruit, and vegetables, or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus. Touching contaminated objects or surfaces and then putting your unwashed fingers in your mouth. Please visit the CDC Norovirus web page for more information about this contagious virus, how to prevent spread, treatment, and recovery. Nominations For Women Of Distinction And Veterans Hall Of Fame Every year, the New York State Senate recognizes outstanding members of our local communities through two ongoing programs - the Veterans Hall of Fame and the Women of Distinction program. The New York State Senate Veterans' Hall of Fame was created to honor and recognize outstanding veterans from the Empire State who have distinguished themselves both in military and civilian life. The Women of Distinction celebration, held every year during Women's History Month, honors New York women who have enriched our community, our state, and our nation. Each Senator may nominate a constituent for recognition through these programs. Last year I nominated Nancy Houghton (pictured above) as a Woman of Distinction, and Lou Sepersky for the Veterans Hall of Fame. This year I am asking you to help me identify outstanding women and veterans from the 28th Senate District as potential nominees for these honors. If you would like to suggest someone as a potential nominee, please fill out the appropriate form below: For Women of Distinction, click here. The deadline to submit a nomination is February 20th. For Veterans Hall of Fame, click here. The deadline to submit a nomination is March 5th. Youth Leadership Recognition Awards Program The New York State Senate’s Youth Leadership Recognition Award program honors outstanding students who will become our future leaders. Eligible students include current sophomores, juniors, and seniors who excel not only academically, but through leadership in extracurricular and volunteer activities. Students selected to receive the New York State Senate Youth Leadership Recognition Award will receive a congratulatory personalized certificate from their Senator. All nominations must be submitted by March 21, 2025, and the nomination website will be taken down after that date. *Please note the nominator must be a school administrator or educator* Paid Prenatal Leave Starting this month, New York became the first state in the nation to offer paid leave to pregnant workers for critical prenatal care. Starting January 1, 2025, all privately employed workers in New York are able to receive an additional 20 hours of paid sick leave for prenatal care. The law will help address the maternal and infant mortality crisis and put money back in the pockets of around 130,000 pregnant workers per year. Click Here to Learn More about NY's Paid Prenatal Leave Program File Your Taxes with NYC Free Tax Prep If you earned $93,000 or less in 2024, file for FREE with an IRS-certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparer. The deadline to file a tax return for your 2024 taxes is April 15, 2025. For more information, visit [link removed]. Predatory Tax Preparers NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Commissioner Mayuga is reminding New Yorkers to protect themselves and their small businesses from predatory tax preparers. Throughout last tax season, DCWP inspectors issued 84 violations to paid tax preparers for violating the City’s laws around disclosure of consumer rights, failing to provide information about fees charged, among other violations. Click Here to Learn More about Predatory Tactics and How to Avoid Them 2025 Voter Information Public Benefits Update EBT Brooklyn Service Center Update What is an EBT Card? EBT Cards are issued by HRA for individuals receiving Cash Assistance (CA), Medicaid Assistance (MA), and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Common Benefit Identification Card (CBIC) Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Services Office in Brooklyn HRA’s Over-The-Counter (OTC) site, now the CBIC EBT Services Office will be moving from January 31 to February 3rd. The new office will be located on the 1st Floor at 785 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11238. This office will service all of New York City including the 28th Senate District. You can get a same-day permanent replacement EBT card at this center. The business hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (Closed on Holidays). This move will not affect any existing cases and does not require any action from current clients. Replacement Card Services If your EBT card is lost, stolen, defective, or never received, you can submit a replacement request online through EBT Edge, by phone (888-328-6399), or in person at the new office location after February 3rd. You can also acquire a temporary replacement EBT card at any HRA Benefits Access Center. The temporary card will have all your available benefits until your permanent EBT card arrives. If you make your request online or by phone, it will take from 7 to 10 business days for you to get your replacement EBT card. If you have an issue with an individual benefits program, log in to Access HRA. If you would like to check your eligibility for Public Benefits, click here. Protecting Your EBT benefits If you receive SNAP, Cash Assistance, Summer EBT, HEAP, or other cash benefits, it's important to protect your EBT account. Change your passcode (PIN) regularly through ebtEDGE or by phone at 888-328-6399 Freeze your card when not in use. This can also be done through the ebtEDGE portal Block out of State purchases. In ebtEDGE, under “Account Services” select “Protect My Account” to access this feature. Review your transaction history. Up to 6 months of transaction history is available through ebtEDGE or by phone at 888-328-6399. For prior to 6 months you will need to speak with a representative. Report lost, damaged, or stolen cards through ebtEDGE or by phone at 888-328-6399. Expiration of Federal Authority to Issue SNAP Replacement Benefits Please be advised that the federal authority that allows for the replacement of skimmed SNAP benefits ended on Friday, December 20, 2024. The Department of Social Services is not allowed to issue SNAP skimming replacements for theft that occurs after December 20, 2024. Clients can still file claims for replacement of skimmed SNAP benefits after December 20, 2024, as long as the theft occurred on or before December 20, 2024, and the claim is filed within 30 days after they learned the benefits were stolen. This deadline does not impact claims for skimmed Cash Assistance benefits. For additional Benefit Replacement information and resources, please visit the dedicated webpage. Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Emergency Benefit What is HEAP? The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program that helps low-income homeowners and renters heat and cool their homes. HEAP consists of five seasonal component benefits: Regular HEAP Benefit, Emergency HEAP Benefit, Cooling Assistance Benefit, Clean and Tune Benefit, and Heating Equipment and Repair and Replacement (HERR) Benefit. If you meet the income criteria for other public benefits, like CA or SNAP, you will automatically be processed for HEAP and receive an automatic payment. Emergency HEAP Benefit The Department of Social Services is now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) First and Second Emergency benefits until 5:00 pm on Monday, March 17, 2025 (or until funds are exhausted). First and Second Emergency benefits are available to assist eligible households with a heat or heat-related emergency. Regular HEAP benefits, if available, must be used first to resolve heating emergencies for eligible households. Applicants may be eligible for an Emergency HEAP benefit if: Their electricity is necessary for the heating system or thermostat to work and is either shut-off or scheduled to be shut off or Their electric or natural gas heat is off or scheduled to be shut-off or They are out of fuel, or have less than one quarter tank of fuel oil, kerosene or propane or have less than a ten (10) day supply of wood, wood pellets, corn, or other deliverable heat source. And  The household's gross monthly income is at or below the current income guides for your household size as posted in the table below or They receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or They receive Temporary Assistance (TA) or They receive Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Living Alone and The heating and/or electric bill is in their name and The household's available resources are less than $2,500 or less than $3,750 if any member of the household is age 60 or older, or under age 6. How to Apply: You can apply for HEAP Emergency benefit by telephone at 718-557-1399, or in person by visiting a HEAP office. The HEAP Emergency benefit application is not available on ACCESS HRA. The dedicated webpage is updated with instructions on how to apply for each HEAP component and future opening and closing dates for each. Fair Fares NYC Eligibility Increase The NYC Department of Social Services-Human Resources Administration (DSS-HRA) has expanded access to the Fair Fares transit discount by implementing a rule change that increases the program’s income eligibility standard to 145% of the federal poverty level. Previously, the Fair Fares discount was available only to New Yorkers ages 18 - 64 whose income was at or below 120% federal poverty level. As a result of this modification to eligibility standards, more New Yorkers will be able to enroll in the program and utilize this critical discount to commute to work, visit friends and family, access medical care, and enjoy all our great city has to offer with assistance for their transit expenses. The New Fair Fares income limits per household size can be found in the chart below: The Fair Fares NYC Program helps New York City residents with low incomes manage their transportation costs by providing them with a 50% discount on public transportation. Eligible New York City residents receive a 50% discount on subway and eligible bus fares. Pay-per-Ride, weekly unlimited, and monthly unlimited options are all available. Fair Fares can also provide 50% off MTA Access-A-Ride paratransit trips. Fair Fares NYC applications are open to eligible New Yorkers, ages 18-64, whose household income meets program income eligibility requirements. Subway and eligible bus discounts are open to New Yorkers who do not have, and are not eligible for, discounted transportation from the MTA or the City. If individuals meet the Fair Fares NYC eligibility criteria, they may be eligible for the Fair Fares NYC discount on Access-A-Ride fares even if they are already enrolled in the MTA reduced-fare Program for persons with disability or have an Access-A-Ride MetroCard. Fair Fares enrollment is simple and can be completed online: Apply for Fair Fares on ACCESS HRA! View the “How to Enroll” videos in English and Spanish. Many Cash Assistance and SNAP recipients can ride for half price. Each non-elderly adult should log into ACCESS HRA or create an account to complete their enrollment. Medicaid Renewal Updates for 2025 I am aware that there has been confusion over if and when constituents should renew their Medicaid case in order to maintain benefits. During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, Medicaid benefits were not terminated, even if individuals did not renew their Medicaid. Since the expiration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, some individuals, but not all, have had to renew their Medicaid. My office has been informed by HRA that the suspension on closing Medicaid cases will end in April 2025. Going forward, only clients who receive and respond to their renewal forms, and are deemed eligible, will continue to receive Medicaid benefits. Clients who do not respond to their renewal will have their cases closed, starting with those whose authorization ends in April 2025. No further extensions will be granted, and these clients will begin receiving their renewal forms by mail as early as January. A cover letter titled “Act Now! Medicaid Renewal Rules Have Changed” (MAP-3185a) will be included with all Medicaid renewal notices. This letter will inform clients that they or someone in their household must complete a Medicaid renewal to maintain eligibility for services and will outline the necessary steps to successfully renew their Medicaid coverage. If you are unsure when you will need to renew your Medicaid case, there are a couple of ways to obtain this information: Create an online ACCESS HRA account at: [link removed]. If you have internet access, this is the easiest way for many individuals to access information about the status of your Medicaid case and when you need to renew.  Call HRA and speak with a representative. I am aware that many constituents have reported having great difficulty getting through to an HRA representative in order to request this information. Please follow the directions below to reach a representative: Dial 888-692-6116. Select your language. Select 2 for the client Medicaid menu. Select 1 to hear information about your Medicaid case. Follow the instructions to enter your information.** You will hear the status of your Medicaid case. Press 1 to hear more information about your case. Press 1 to hear the status of your Medicaid renewal. ** You should have your date of birth, case number, and/or your Social Security Number ready. You will need to enter these to hear information about your case. Please contact my office at 212-490-9535 if you have any questions. NYLAG Advance Planning Clinic Property Tax Exemptions Renewals Due March 17 Please note that the deadline for homeowners to submit renewal applications for the SCHE (Senior Citizen's Housing Exemption) and DHE (Disabled Housing Exemption) tax exemption programs is March 17, 2025. Property owners who must renew their benefits have received letters in the mail. If you do not renew, you could lose your benefits and your property taxes could increase. Please review the eligibility requirements for SCHE, DHE, and other benefits. Increase in Fraudulent EBT Calls, Texts, and Emails The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) has received reports of clients receiving phone calls from individuals "spoofing" the EBT Customer Service phone number (888-328-6399). Spoofing is when a caller deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to your caller ID to disguise their identity. The caller ID on these calls may appear to be the EBT Customer Service number, but the call is actually originating from a different source. Please emphasize to clients that legitimate EBT Customer Service representatives will never initiate calls to request account information. Clients should never provide account information in response to unsolicited phone calls, even if the caller ID appears to be from EBT Customer Service. If they suspect their account may have been compromised, they should immediately lock their EBT card through their EBT Edge account or by calling EBT Customer Service directly at 888-328-6399. As a general reminder, EBT Edge and EBT Customer Service are tools administered by OTDA through FIS, which is a vendor contracted by New York State. New Resources For Getting Or Keeping Public Assistance FAIRHEARINGHELPNY.org is a new website for people who have had their benefits denied, reduced or discontinued by DSS, and who need to know their rights and how to get a fair hearing. Benefits include SNAP, Temporary Assistance and Medicaid. Summer Youth Employment Program Summer is quickly approaching, and this is your chance to gain valuable work experience and earn some extra cash through the 2025 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)! This program offers a wide range of opportunities in various industries. Explore diverse career opportunities, develop essential skills, and jumpstart your future. The application process is now open, and we encourage you to apply and explore diverse career opportunities, develop essential skills, and jumpstart your future! Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Apply today and take the first step in building your career. To apply, please visit [link removed]. Lenox Hill Heart Health Fair District Office: 211 East 43rd Street, Suite 2000 | New York, NY 10017 | (212) 490-9535 | Fax: (212) 499-2558 Albany Office: Capitol Building, Room 416 | Albany, NY 12247 | (518) 455-2297 | Fax: (518) 426-6874 Email: [email protected] | On the Web: krueger.nysenate.gov   Senator Liz Krueger | 211 E 43rd St #2000 | New York, NY 10017 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice