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Dear Neighbors,

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Wednesday evening for our December Housing Clinic featuring a presentation on troubleshooting the NYS Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) & other Rental Arrears assistance, led by TakeRoot Justice. As we discussed, New York State reports that total requests for assistance exceed available federal funding for ERAP. 

Exhausted funding is an issue that can be solved! I strongly encourage all New Yorkers to reach out to their federal and NYS representatives, including Governor Hochul, to ask them to push for more funding for ERAP.

Government must act now to provide more rent relief and avert a catastrophic wave of evictions next year. We must also move more aggressively to preserve and build new housing. For constituents with rental arrears:
  • If you have applied to ERAP and have not received any information about your application status, you may email our office and we will follow up on your behalf.
  • For questions about ERAP: call New York State at 844-NY1-RENT (844-691-7368; or the TTY phone number, 833-843-8829, for the hearing impaired.).
  • To be notified of possible future opportunities to apply for ERAP, please complete this NYS ERAP - Notify Me Form.
  • Learn about "One-Shot" Emergency Financial Assistance from the City here.
  • Learn about CityFHEPS, a City rental assistance supplement here.

Reminder: Legal protections from eviction for most NYS tenants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic were extended through January 15, 2022. Scroll down to "Resources for Tenants & Landlords" to learn more.
 

COVID-19 Updates

Important: the NYC Dept of Health is urging anyone who attended the recent Anime Convention at the Javits Center to be tested for COVID-19. An out-of-state resident who attended the event has subsequently tested positive for the Omicron variant.

COVID-19 vaccine booster shots are available for New Yorkers ages 18 and older. These shots boost your immunity from an initial vaccination series. Please read the latest guidance from the NYC Dept of Health here. 

It's easier than ever to get vaccinated! 

79th Street Boat Basin Project
As you know, the NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC) put forward a proposal to reconstruct the 79th Street Boat Basin this summer. The EDC says that it will return to Community Board 7 in the first half of 2022 to present its proposal again. Click here to see CB 7's November 29th letter to the EDC with their comments about the project.

The Boat Basin proposal will also be on the public agenda the next time that EDC submits the project to the City's Public Design Commission. It is almost certain that EDC will present to the PDC and receive public testimony. Please note that if the project is only listed on the PDC's "consent" agenda, the public can contact the PDC and object, and request a full public hearing.
 

Curbside Composting Begins Next Week!
After a month's delay -- the Dept of Sanitation has announced that beginning the week of December 6th, curbside composting will be provided to eligible residents in Community Board 7 (Upper West Side, Lincoln Square, Manhattan Valley). Residents who have signed up are being notified now of their collection day and start date. 
 
Curbside composting is voluntary, and residents must sign up. Click here to sign up and learn more. The food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard waste collected by the City will be turned into compost or renewable energy.

Building Staff -- the Dept of Sanitation encourages you to view a webinar at on.nyc.gov/DSNYwebinar for tips on increasing participation in your building, managing successful compost collection, and how to troubleshoot any issues.

Curbside composting is resuming on a rolling basis based on the number of sign-ups in every neighborhood. If composting has not yet begun in your area, the DSNY is urging residents to bring food scraps to a drop-off location if they are able. Residents can also learn how to make compost at home. 
 

Reminder: Discounts for City Fines Imposed During the Pandemic
Until December 20th, 2021, the City of NY will be offering residents and small businesses discounts of up to 75% for fines imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more via the City's FAIRER (Fines and Interest Reduction Enabling Recovery) program. Scroll to the “How to Participate” section and click the link. Questions? Call 311.
  • Unpaid Environmental Control Board (ECB) judgments may be eligible for a reduction under the FAIRER program. Depending upon whether you had a hearing and whether the judgment was entered during the COVID-19 pandemic, your savings can be up to 75%. This savings includes the abatement of any interest associated with your judgmen
Resources for Tenants & Landlords
 
The NYS Eviction Moratorium was extended to January 15th, 2022. 

Important: tenants can still be evicted in certain cases. Read our overview of the moratorium here. 

Tenants facing eviction must submit a declaration of pandemic-related hardship. Landlords can challenge these declarations in certain cases. Visit Eviction Free NY to learn more and use their online tool which automatically sends the hardship declaration to housing court, and your landlord, at no cost.

Tenants whose eviction cases are scheduled for appearance in Housing Court --including hearings about Hardship Declarations-- have access to free legal services, regardless of ZIP code, under NYC’s right-to-counsel law.
  • Call 311 and ask for the Tenant Helpline
  • Visit the NYC Human Resources Administration’s Office of Civil Justice online at www.nyc.gov/civiljustice
  • Call Housing Court Answers at (718) 557-1379 
  • Find additional free legal services on our website, by looking under "Housing"
Read about other resources for tenants here.
 
Click here to read the City's summary of resources for property owners-- including assistance with securing rent payments, loans, foreclosure protections, and individualized assistance.

Keeping Buildings Free of Rats & Other Pests
Rats pose an ongoing threat to public health. Click here to view City rat inspection results and follow-up actions on an interactive map, and to learn about resources for property owners. The NYC Dept of Health has prepared these helpful materials for residents, and building owners and managers. The NYC Dept of Health offers "Rat Academy" virtual trainings which focus on rat prevention methods. Free, virtual trainings are available for: building supers & staff, homeowners & tenants, and managing companies. See the schedule of trainings here. 
Resources for UWS Families

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is available for children ages 5 to 11. The vaccine dose for this age group is smaller than the dose given to people 12 and older. Children can be vaccinated at their doctor’s office, pharmacies and vaccine sites across the city. Learn more here and here.

****NYC schools are also offering vaccinations to eligible students ages 5-11. Learn more here.
 

Save up to $50 Per Month on Internet Service
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has launched the short-term Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB), which provides eligible households with a temporary discount on monthly broadband internet bills during the COVID-19 pandemic.

All households with a student enrolled in a NYC Dept of Education school or program are eligible for two types of benefits:
  • Monthly Benefit: Provides a discount of up to $50 per month for broadband service, equipment, and device rentals; and
  • One-Time Device Discount: This is a one-time discount of up to $100 on a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer, where available.
These benefits are also available to residents receiving certain types of income-based supports, like SNAP or Medicaid. Click here to learn more and see if you are eligible!
 

Information Sessions: 3-K, Pre-K, & Kindergarten Admissions
The NYC Dept of Education is hosting a series of virtual information sessions (in multiple languages) for NYC families with children born in 2017, 2018, and 2019. For families who are unable to attend any of the sessions, a recording of the presentation will be posted on the DOE's website in December. Browse upcoming admissions events here.

Free, Self-Paced Classes to Help Families Navigate School Applications.
On-line classes in English or Spanish walk families through how to find the best pre-K, elementary, and high school for their child, and how to apply. InsideSchools offers these classes via its InsideSchools+ platform (families must create a profile and request access). Learn more here.

Free Tutoring for Students with IEPS
The Hunter College Learning Lab offers free one-on-one tutoring for students with IEPs, provided by teacher candidates in Hunter's Graduate Program for Learning Disabilities. Tutoring is offered twice per week for three locations in Manhattan. Learn more about the program and apply here.
News for Older Residents & Residents with Disabilities

Final Reminder: Open enrollment for 2022 Medicare programs ends on December 7th. Learn more here.

Have questions about Medicare? You can make an appointment to speak individually with a counselor at the Medicare Rights Center. Contact info for the MRC can be found in English here and Spanish here.
 

Changes to Health Coverage for City of NY Retirees
As you know, the City of NY has announced plans to replace the current Senior Care program -- a free supplement to traditional Medicare -- with a Medicare Advantage Plus Plan. The City is now saying that the change will not be implemented on January 1, 2022. Click here to read more.

As a result, the opt-out period for the NYC Medicare Advantage Plus Plan (to purchase another health plan, including the Senior Care program and HIP VIP) has been extended until further notice by order of the NYS Supreme Court. Pursuant to the Court's decision, the City must retain the status quo for retirees and their dependents until deficiencies with the implementation of the proposed Medicare Advantage Plan are addressed.
  • Retirees should phone 1-833-325-1190, Monday to Friday, 8am to 9pm, with questions about the switch to Medicare Advantage.
  • Retirees can email OLR directly at [email protected] regarding any health insurance enrollment or Medicare Part B reimbursement issues.  
  • You can also email our office at [email protected] and we will send OLR your name and contact information, along with the issue topic (e.g. enrollment, MA Plan, Medicare reimbursement, etc.). OLR will respond directly to you. 
 
Older adults may be eligible for a wide range of benefits, including assistance with food, medical, and utility costs, as well as rent freezes and lower property taxes.

For benefits screening and application assistance, phone (212) 398-5045, or email [email protected]. You can also complete an intake form with LiveOn NY here. 
 

Legal Resources for Older Adults
The Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS) Senior Law Project provides free legal services for life planning documents including Last Will & Testament, Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy, Living Will and Control of Remains for New Yorkers age 60 and older. Click here to learn more.  
Additional COVID-19 Vaccination Information
 
COVID-19 has made it more important than ever to get your flu shot! Everyone 6 months and older should receive a seasonal flu vaccination each year. It is best to get vaccinated in the fall, but you can be vaccinated through late spring.

1.) "Key to NYC" Vaccination Mandate
As ordered by the City, indoor dining, fitness, and entertainment establishments now require proof of at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. To enter one of these establishments, you'll need to show your paper CDC card, Excelsior Pass, NYC COVID Safe App, or any other vaccine record.
  • Learn more at nyc.gov/keytonyc or by calling 311.
  • Applies to NYers 12 and older -- customers, workers, patrons -- with reasonable accommodations for health, disability, and religion.
  • Businesses with questions should call: 1-888-SBS-4NYC or visit nycsmallbizcourses.eventbrite.com and search for “Key to NYC Guidelines and Resources to Help Your Business."
2.) Have you lost your COVID-19 vaccination card?
If you are fully vaccinated and need verification of your vaccine status, you can request a record of your COVID-19 vaccination online, or via fax or mail. Click here to learn more!

New Yorkers can meet vaccine and/or testing requirements by carrying their paper vaccination card with them or scanning and storing it in one of two authorized mobile apps - Excelsior Pass Wallet and NYC Covid Safe. Learn more here.

3.) In-home COVID-19 testing is now available to all immunocompromised New Yorkers and those ages 65 and older. Appointments are available seven days per week, from 9am to 7pm. Please call 929-298-9400 to schedule.
  • The City will provide a molecular PCR test administered by a trained clinician at no cost.
  • Once a test is requested, it will be performed the next day or the day following, depending on when the patient is available.
  • Results will be returned within two days by text, e-mail or phone.
4.) Vaccination Incentives 
For New Yorkers
New Yorkers receiving their first vaccine dose at a City-run vaccine location are now eligible for incentives, including a $100 pre-paid debit card. Click here to learn more.

New Yorkers 18 and older can also win exclusive prizes. Once your first vaccine dose is complete, you will receive an email with instructions on how to select your money or incentive and enter the contest.
 
For Community Organizations
The City is offering $100 to community and faith-based organizations for each person they refer for a first vaccine dose at a City-run vaccination site.

New Yorkers who make an appointment ahead of time, or who use a walk-in vaccination site, simply need to identify which community organization referred them. Organizations can earn up to $20,000 each. Interested organizations should sign up at nyc.gov/vaccinereferralbonus. 

5.) Stay Informed! Helpful COVID-19 information sources include: 
 

Helpful Resources for Our Community

 
Employee Rights in NYC

The Fair Fares NYC program provides a 50 percent discount on subway and certain bus fares or Access-A-Ride paratransit trips to New York City residents ages 18 to 64. Find out if you are eligible for Fair Fares and apply here!
 

Free Legal Services
Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS) provides free, civil legal services to low-income New Yorkers. VOLS serves seniors, older veterans, small business owners, immigrant youth, unemployed workers, mothers in prison or jail, as well as children and their families.

VOLS is currently offering remote services. Please call (212) 966-4400 or reach out to their specific programs:
  • Small businesses/ VOLS Microenterprise Project: (347) 521-5729
  • Seniors/ VOLS Elderly Project: (347) 521-5704
  • Older Veterans/ VOLS Veterans Initiative: (347) 521-5725
  • Immigrant Youth/ VOLS Immigration Project: (347) 521-5722
  • Unemployed Workers/ VOLS Unemployed Workers Project: (347) 521-5735

Mental Health Resources for District 6 Residents
Don't suffer alone. Support is available for any New Yorker coping with issues like depression, anxiety, substance misuse, crime victimization, and serious mental illness. Targeted services are being offered to older New Yorkers, veterans, families with young children, students, and people harmed by crime or abuse.
  • NYC Well is the City's confidential helpline for mental health and substance misuse services. Trained counselors can provide you with support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 200 languages. Click here; call: 1-888-NYC-Well (1-888-692-9355); or text: “Well” to 65173.

Free Membership at City Recreation Centers
Free membership at City of NY recreation centers is available to any New Yorker who signs up before December 31, 2021. The membership term will last for one year from the date of sign-up, and will grant access to facilities across the city. Learn more here. 

Free Wellness Classes: a wide variety of free, on-line wellness programs are available from:

Upcoming Events of Interest


Cigarette Butts: What's the Problem?
Dropped butts drift from streets into drains, the Hudson and East Rivers, and finally the Atlantic Ocean. Each year, 4.5 billion are discarded worldwide--the greatest source of ocean trash.
  • Cigarette butts are not biodegradeable! They contain plastic, which can take up to 14 years to break down.
  • They look like food to fish, birds and even dogs.
  • They leach toxic chemicals and heavy metals which have lethal effects on organisms in land and sea and can move up the food chain to us. 
Join the No Butts Campaign by helping pick up butts and count them. Bring gloves and if you have one, a grabber. Look for the No Butts sign this Sunday (12/5), from 12-2pm, starting at Central Park West & 96th Street.

Smokers: Get a free pocket ashtray while they last.
Building Managers: Contact Joyce at [email protected] to obtain a free butt receptacle and learn to recycle the butts.
 
 
For local and citywide environmental news and events, sign up for newsletters from UWS Recycling, which come out 6 times/year. Read the November/December Eco Letter here!

Community events at Goddard Riverside are back! See the schedule here.

Community Programs at Lincoln Center
  • The Passport to the Arts program for children, teens, and adults with disabilities and their families is back this fall! The program provides a welcoming, accessible, and affordable introduction to the performing arts across Lincoln Center at no cost. Families can attend dance, music, or drama classes on Zoom, watch exclusive performances, check out behind-the-scenes content, and even meet performers. Families can register here and learn more here.
  • Moments At Home is a free performance-based program specially designed for people with dementia and their caregivers. Each virtual event includes a performance, followed by activities facilitated by educators and music therapists that explore the work through discussion, movement, music, and art-making. Registration is now open here. 
The Bloomingdale School of Music 2021-2022 Faculty Concert series has begun! Click here to learn more and see the concert calendar for the year. BSM will also begin streaming concerts live from the school this spring. 

"It’s My Park" Projects Happening this Fall!
Join one of the community-led parks clean-up projects happening across New York City! Learn more, and sign up to join or host an It’s My Park project here. See a current project list here.

For cultural & environmental events in our parks: visit the City Parks Foundation's Green / Arts Live NYC Event Calendar.
We're Here to Help

My office assists people with housing issues, seniors, the disabled, the recently un (or under) employed, the food insecure, and all those suffering the many consequences of this pandemic, to help in any way we can. We also provide on-going advocacy with our public schools and other public services.

Please call (212) 873-0282, leave a message and we will call you back as soon as possible; email [email protected]; or check our website, HelenRosenthal.com. We update it on a regular basis with information about public benefits, non-profit resources, and health facts Upper West Siders need to get through this crisis. 

Warmly,



P.S. Please forward this newsletter to anyone you think might be interested, or have them subscribe to my e-blasts here. Also, follow my social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram.
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