Request an Absentee Ballot

Voting this November

Governor Cuomo recently signed a bill that will allow voters in New York to request an absentee ballot if they are concerned about COVID-19.

The NYC Department of Veterans’ Services applauds any effort to make voting safe for New Yorkers. No one should risk illness to cast a ballot. We also encourage New Yorkers to wear a mask and practice social distancing if they decide to vote in person. Above all, it’s important that every registered voter, despite their political views, gets the opportunity to safely exercise their civic duty. Veterans put themselves in danger to ensure that every American can vote safely. We should honor their sacrifice by exercising the rights they fought to protect.

Apply for an absentee ballot online here.

• whether you are still registered to vote 
• where your early voting polling place is
• where your Election Day polling place is
• how to become a poll worker 
• how to fill out your ballot

Need to Know

Suicide Prevention Interview with the VA

Veteran Entrepreneur Training Program

 The NYU Tandon Veterans Future Lab is currently accepting applications for its Veterans Entrepreneurship Training (VET) program. This 12-week online educational course is designed for veterans and military spouses who have just launched their business or are looking to transition into entrepreneurship.

The VET program is free and the deadline to apply is September 9th. Learn more here. 

Local Updates

Census Deadline Shortened & Door Knocking Begins

 Deadline Shortened
The 2020 Census deadline has been shortened by 30 days. New Yorkers now have until September 30th to complete their census.

It's vital that you fill out your census immediately! Census data is used to determine the federal funding New York will receive for public education, affordable housing, and infrastructure. Census information is also used to determine representation in Congress.

Fill out your census today at my2020census.gov or by calling 844-330-2020. If you've already filed, please remind your family, friends, and neighbors to complete their census. 

Door Knocking Begins
U.S. Census workers are going door-to-door to the homes of New Yorkers who have not yet completed the census. Census takers are well-trained to help you complete the census if you are having trouble filing online. 

Still a New Yorker
Due to the pandemic, some New Yorkers have temporarily left their homes. If on April 1st, 2020, your primary home was in New York City, please state this on your census form. 

NYS Eviction Moratorium for Businesses

Governor Cuomo recently signed an executive order extending the state's moratorium on COVID-related commercial evictions and foreclosures until September 20th. This measure extends protections for business owners who are struggling to pay rent and mortgages during the pandemic. Learn more here. 

Get Tested for COVID-19 & Protect Your Family

We know that asymptomatic carriers can unknowingly spread the virus - that's why we all need to get tested regularly for COVID-19. This is the best way to protect your partner, your kids, and your parents.

Find free COVID-19 testing sites here.

Resources for Veterans

Financial Guide for Transitioning Veterans

 Moneygeek has published a Military Financial Guide to Transitioning to Civilian Life. This comprehensive guide features a helpful timeline for transitioning veterans looking to start a career, tips on how to save for retirement, and steps you can take to establish your financial security. Learn more here.  

Guide Series Provides GI Bill Information

The VA released a guide series to help veterans learn more about their GI Bill benefits. In addition to detailing education benefits, the “Building Your Future with the GI Bill" series helps veterans navigate education pathways and guides them from education to employment. Read this series here.

Support for Veterans with Asbestos Exposure

Service members were exposed to toxic levels of asbestos for over four decades. From the 1930s until the late 1970s, asbestos was used on everything from Navy ships to military bases. Today, approximately 30% of those diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, a rare type of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, are veterans.

Determine your risk for mesothelioma and your treatment options by visiting the Mesothelioma Hub here. 

NYC Services

Senior Employment Program

Job Board for People with Disabilities

Housing Support

The NYC Tenant Resource Portal is a new eviction prevention tool made to help renters explore all available resources. Learn more here.

DVS Programs & Initiatives

Get Food Delivered

 Veterans will not go hungry during this crisis.

DVS has partnered with GetFoodNYC to send food directly to veterans in need – including families who can't afford groceries, seniors, and disabled veterans. Contact DVS to learn more at (212) 416 5250 or connect@veterans.nyc.gov. 

Housing Support & Eviction Prevention

Mission: VetCheck

We need to work together to reach every veteran in NYC during this crisis. As part of Mission: VetCheck, DVS is helping veteran organizations contact their members. To ensure your members are contacted, email VetCheck@veterans.nyc.gov.

Helping Veterans File VA Claims

 New York City has joined forces with New York State to serve City veterans! The New York State Division of Veterans' Services and the NYC Department of Veterans' Services are collaborating to process VA benefits claims and provide veterans with additional benefits assistance. For more information, contact: benefitclaims@veterans.nyc.gov. 

Get Certified with NYC

Grow your veteran-owned business by becoming NYC certified? 75% of certified businesses have won contracts with City agencies. Learn if your business is eligible for NYC certification here.

Have questions? Contact business@veterans.nyc.gov.

Contact DVS

Employment Services:

• Christian T. Peralta​
  (646) 630-1932​ | cperalta1@veterans.nyc.gov​

Education Services and Unemployment Assistance​:

• Amauri Espinal​
  (646) 799-2728​ | aespinal@veterans.nyc.gov

• Dana Rock, HSS Director​
  (646) 901-4948​ | DanaRock@veterans.nyc.gov​
• Horng Chou, HSS Deputy Director​
  (646) 532-1884​ | Hchou@veterans.nyc.gov​

Eviction Prevention:​

• Angela Guyton-Cyril​
  (646) 740-8156​ | AGuyton-Cyril@veterans.nyc.gov​

• Eileen Barcene​
  (646) 499-0055​ | ebarcene@veterans.nyc.gov​

• Melissa Walters​
  (646) 889-4180​ | Mewalters@veterans.nyc.gov

• Tanya Thomas​
  (646) 499-0098​ | tthomas@veterans.nyc.gov