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NYC Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) Weekly Newsletter
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COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility:
The following groups are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine:
Vulnerable communities:
- People ages 65 and older
- Individuals living in homeless shelters
- Residents in group living facilities
Essential workers:
- First responders
- Staff in group living facilities
- Teachers, education and child care workers, and in-person college instructors
- Public safety workers
- Public transit workers
- Correction officers
- Individuals working in homeless shelters
- Public-facing grocery store workers
- Funeral workers with direct contact with infectious materials and bodily fluids
Healthcare workers:
- Healthcare workers with direct patient care responsibilities
- Workers in ambulatory care settings not affiliated with a hospital
- Healthcare workers at COVID-testing sites
- Home care workers and aides, hospice workers, personal care aides, and consumer-directed personal care workers
- Dentists and staff
- Pharmacists and pharmacy aids
Scheduling an Appointment:
Due to the low supply, NYC Health + Hospitals facilities are not currently scheduling new appointments for the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Patients who have appointments for the second dose of the vaccine should plan to come in as scheduled. Please visit the following resources to find locations that may have appointments available:
Scheduling an Appointment at the VA:
The VA NY Harbor Healthcare System is offering the COVID-19 vaccine to enrolled veterans 65 years of age and up currently enrolled in VA health care. Call 1-877-877-9267 to make an appointment at one of the following locations:
The James J. Peters VA Medical Center in the Bronx is also administering COVID-19 vaccines. The VA care teams at this site will reach out to eligible veterans to schedule vaccinations. There is no need to preregister or come to a facility to sign up. For more information, click here.
The VA has online resources with information about the COVID-19 vaccines.
What to Expect:
Here's what you can expect at your COVID-19 vaccine appointment.
Avoid Scammers:
The COVID-19 vaccines are FREE! If anyone attempts to charge you to receive the vaccine, it is a scam. If someone tells you that they can get you the vaccine sooner for a fee, it is a scam.
Vaccine Safety:
According to the CDC: "COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines, and these vaccines have undergone the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history." Learn more about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Read this article from VA nurse and Tuskegee native Cheryl Owens on why she decided to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Get Tested While You Wait:
As you wait for your turn to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, please remember to get tested often. Regular testing, wearing a mask, and social distancing are the best ways to limit the spread of COVID-19. COVID-19 tests are FREE. To schedule an appointment, visit nyc.gov/covidtest.
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Statement from DVS Commissioner
James Hendon on the Repeal of the Transgender Military Ban
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“The United States took one step closer towards perfecting our union this week. President Biden’s repeal of the ban on transgender people serving in the military opens the door to those who wish to honorably serve our country while remaining true to their most authentic selves. Transgender people currently serving in the US Armed Forces will also no longer need to hide in the shadows—unprotected from retaliation, bias, or discrimination. By rejecting this bigoted policy, the United States has espoused its highest ideals of freedom and equality for all. The very richness, strength, beauty, and diversity that our military safeguards will openly appear within its own ranks. Transgender Service Members have served our nation honorably in the past. They will continue to faithfully serve, protect, and defend America for years to come.”
- DVS Commissioner James Hendon
Follow Commissioner Hendon on Twitter at @jameshendonNYC for official statements and remarks.
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NY Extends Food Program for Veterans
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New York State has extended a partnership with HelloFresh, a meal kit company, to deliver free meals to veterans and military families in New York City. Through this partnership, DVS will continue to work with the Campaign Against Hunger and Black Veterans for Social Justice to distribute HelloFresh meal kits to veterans and military families facing food insecurity. Learn more about this partnership extension here.
To request food or learn how you can volunteer to support this program, please email DVS at connect@veterans.nyc.gov.
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Veteran Voices Project Pop-Up Exhibit
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DVS has partnered with Morris-Jumel Mansion to present a pop-up exhibit installation featuring photos of New York City veterans who have participated in our history initiative, the Veteran Voices Project. By scanning a QR code at the exhibit, museum attendees will have access to the Veteran Voices Project Oral History Library, where they can listen to full recordings of veterans sharing their stories. Learn how you can visit the Morris-Jumel Mansion here.
To preserve your story in our oral history library, click here.
To help capture veteran stories by volunteering as an interviewer, click here.
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Deadline Approaches to
Join Manhattan Community Boards
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Attention veterans living in Manhattan:
There are 1.6 million people living in Manhattan – that’s 1.6 million voices and opinions. We want veterans to help lead the public conversation on the issues that are most important to Manhattan residents. Join your local community board and make your voice heard:
The deadline to apply to join a community board in Manhattan is Monday, February 1st!
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NY's Rent Relief Program Deadline:
Monday, February 1st!
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DON'T FORGET: Applications for NY's Rent Relief program are due MONDAY, 2/1. The program is designed to support households that have struggled to pay rent during the pandemic. See below to learn everything you need to know about the program, including eligibility requirements:
- The COVID Rent Relief Extension Program will provide eligible households with a one-time rental subsidy paid directly to the landlord.
- This program can cover the rent for April, May, June, and July of 2020.
- Applicants will not need to repay this assistance.
- Applications are NOT considered on a first-come, first-served basis. HCR will prioritize eligible households who are most in need.
- If you applied to this program before the 7/30/2020 deadline, you will not have to reapply. All applications that were previously denied will be reconsidered and will receive an updated determination letter.
- Must be a renter whose primary residence is in New York State.
- Applicants must have lost income during the following period: 4/1/2020 - 7/31/2020.
- Before 3/7/2020, the household income must have been at or below 80% of the Area Median Income, adjusted for household size.
- Households must be “rent-burdened” during the months they are applying for assistance. Households are considered “rent-burdened” if they pay at least 30% of their income in rent.
Apply here.
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Veteran-Specific Online Events
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Know Your Rights Presentation
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The White Plains Vet Center, Bronx Vet Center, and the Fordham University School of Law's Feerick Center Veterans Rights Project are providing a virtual "Know-Your-Rights" presentation for veterans and their caregivers focused on VA benefits.
WHEN: Tuesday, Feb 9th | 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
HOW TO JOIN:
- Zoom Link | Meeting ID: 899 9934 0340
- or call (646) 558 8656 | Meeting ID: 899 9934 0340
For more information contact:
- Damian Guzman: damian.guzman@va.gov | (914) 682-6250
- Marco Bongioanni: marco.bongioanni@va.gov | (718) 367-3500
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Bay Ridge Heroes Webinars
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Bay Ridge veterans ages 60 and up are invited to join the following Bay Ridge Center's Bay Ridge Heroes webinars:
- February 5th: Maximizing Your VA Benefits
- February 12th: Veterans and the Vaccine
- February 19th: Navigating Civilian Resources
- February 26th: Staying Healthy at BRC
- March 5th: Joining Bay Ridge Village
- March 12th: Feedback Session
To register, email Bay Ridge Center's Director of Strategic Initiatives, Michael Schumer at mschumer@bayridgecenter.org.
To join, call (646) 558-8656 and enter 752 500 7881
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DVS Programs & Initiatives
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Making supportive calls. Distributing face masks. Preparing meal kits. Housing the homeless. Processing VA benefit claims. Watch this video to learn how DVS responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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DVS partnered with GetFoodNYC to help deliver food to homebound veterans. We're also working to distribute HelloFresh meals to veteran families. Request food or learn how to volunteer to prepare meal kits by contacting connect@veterans.nyc.gov.
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Housing Veterans During the Pandemic
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DVS continues to house homeless veterans during the pandemic. The agency was able to house 183 formerly homeless veterans in 2020, an increase of approximately 18% compared to the previous year. Learn more about DVS's efforts to end veteran homelessness in NYC here.
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Making Calls to Veterans Across NYC
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As part of Mission: VetCheck, volunteers call NYC veterans to provide information about essential services, including free meals, COVID-19 testing, and mental health resources.
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Many veterans living in NYC are eligible for, but do not receive, their Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. That's why DVS is representing veterans and their families in claims for benefits. To schedule an online appointment with a member of our VA Claims Team, contact claims@veterans.nyc.gov or 212-416-5250.
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Veteran Voices Project: Oral History Initiative
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DVS has captured the oral history of NYC veterans representing every branch and service era. From World War 2 to COVID-19, hear stories of service across generations on our Veteran Voices Project library.
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SITREP NYC: NYC's Official Veteran Podcast
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Listen to SITREP NYC, NYC's official veteran-focused podcast, to hear stories from veterans who are often ignored and underserved. Hear the complete season here or see below for a list of episodes:
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Stories of Transition
The Black Veteran Experience
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LGBT Veteran Stories
The Health of Women Veterans
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DVS updated its website to help EVERY veteran find the services that are right for them. Whether you're a student, transitioning, woman, LGBT, or a senior veteran - nyc.gov/vets has what you need.
Review the webpages on our site:
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Support a Veteran:
Media:
Contact Us:
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Referral Services: vetconnectnyc.org or 1-833-VETS-NYC
VA Claims & Food Donations
- Latisha Russaw
(917) 605-0325 | lrussaw@veterans.nyc.gov
Food Delivery Assistance:
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
Housing:
- 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
Healthcare:
- Melissa Walters
(646) 889-4180 | Mewalters@veterans.nyc.gov
Military Families and Caregivers:
- Tanya Thomas
(646) 499-0098 | tthomas@veterans.nyc.gov
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