|
NYC Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) Weekly Newsletter
|
|
VA NY Harbor Begins Vaccinating Veterans
|
|
Veterans Over 75 can Schedule an Appointment
to Receive the COVID-19 Vaccine
|
|
|
The VA NY Harbor Healthcare System is now offering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to veteran outpatients 75 years and older. Please contact 1-877-877-9267 to make an appointment.
On Monday, Emiliana Ventura, a veteran of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps, became the first outpatient to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at Harbor. “My mother strived to be a mentor to others through her career as a registered nurse and educator and is happy to continue serving,” Cynthia Ventura, Emiliana’s daughter, said.
Learn more here.
|
|
DVS Veteran Health Insurance Navigator
|
|
See all Available Health Insurance Options for Veterans
|
|
|
The NYC Veteran Health Insurance Navigator is a comprehensive guide to healthcare coverage options for New York City's veterans and their families. DVS developed this guide in collaboration with City, federal, and community partners to increase healthcare insurance coverage and eliminate enrollment barriers for the veteran community. View the guide here.
|
|
The Fight Against COVID-19
|
|
Inside the COVID-19 Relief Bill
|
|
Congress recently passed a COVID-19 relief package. Here are highlights of the legislation:
Stimulus checks
- Americans who earned less than $75,000 in the 2019 tax year will receive a $600 stimulus check. The payment amount decreases for those who made more than $75,000. Those who earned more than $99,000 will not receive a stimulus check.
- Families will receive a $600 stimulus check for each dependent child under 17, however, adult dependents will not receive a stimulus check.
Jobless benefits
- Unemployment benefits will be extended to up to $300 per week. The extension runs at least through March 14, 2021.
- The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program will be extended for 11 weeks. The program supports part-time and gig workers who did not qualify for state unemployment insurance benefits.
Relief for businesses
- The stimulus bill expands the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan eligibility to nonprofit organizations, news outlets, churches, and faith-based organizations.
- Businesses that received PPP loans and had them forgiven can deduct the costs covered by those loans on their federal tax returns.
- The bill expands the Economic Injury Disaster Loans program. The program provides loans to small businesses and nonprofit organizations that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue.
- The bill provides a tax credit to support employers offering paid sick leave.
Eviction moratorium
- A moratorium on evictions has been extended until January 31st, 2021.
Vaccines Purchases
- The stimulus bill allocates funds to purchase coronavirus vaccines to ensure that Americans can receive the vaccine free of charge.
Healthcare
- The bill includes legislation to end surprise billing for emergency and scheduled care related to COVID-19.
Learn more about the COVID-19 relief package here.
|
|
New Years Resolution: Get Tested for COVID-19
|
|
This New Year, make a resolution to get tested for COVID-19! Tests are FREE and safe. Find a location near you by visiting nyc.gov/covidtest or calling 212-COVID19.
|
|
Funding Opportunity for
Veteran Service Organizations
|
|
Applications for NYC Service's NYC Civic Impact Funding are now OPEN!
Veteran Service Organizations can apply for one-time funding of up to $10,000 to support volunteer programs focused on distributing food during the COVID-19 crisis. View all eligibility and funding details here.
The deadline to apply is January 15th at 5 pm.
Apply today.
|
|
Veteran-Focused Online Seminars
|
|
DVS Online Seminar for Veteran-Owned Businesses:
Learn to Sell to NYC
|
|
|
DVS and the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) will host an online seminar for veteran-owned businesses and veteran entrepreneurs interested in obtaining one of the following certifications:
Certified veteran-owned businesses have greater access to contracting opportunities with NYC government agencies through classes, networking events, and targeted solicitations. This online seminar will provide an overview of the certification process, review contract opportunities available to certified businesses, and connect participants with certified businesses who have already successfully contracted with the City.
When: Friday, January 22nd | 11 am - 12:30 pm
Register here
|
|
DVS Online Seminar:
VA Home Loan Explained
|
|
|
Attention NYC real estate professionals:
DVS and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are hosting an online seminar to help you support veterans and eligible surviving spouses become homeowners. The event will present an overview of the VA home loan guaranty.
When: Wednesday, January 27th | 3 pm - 4:30 pm
Register here
Open to NYC real estate professionals only.
|
|
DVS Programs & Initiatives
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Housing Veterans During the Pandemic
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Making Calls to Veterans Across NYC
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Veteran Voices Project: Oral History Initiative
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
SITREP NYC: NYC's Official Veteran Podcast
|
|
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:
|
|
|
|
Stories of Transition
The Black Veteran Experience
|
|
LGBT Veteran Stories
The Health of Women Veterans
|
|
|
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:
|
|
|
Support a Veteran:
Media:
Contact Us:
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
