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NYC Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) Weekly Newsletter
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Weekly COVID-19 Vaccine Updates
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Each week, the DVS newsletter will include information on COVID-19 testing, as well as the vaccine. This section will be updated weekly to reflect new developments.
This Week's Numbers:
Here are this week's COVID-19 indicators:
- 322 new hospitalizations
- 3,351 new cases
- 8.51% positivity rate (7-day avg.)
"We can’t let our guard down. This weekend avoid large gatherings, wear your mask and if you feel sick, stay home." - Mayor Bill De Blasio
Get Tested Often
As you wait for your turn to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, please remember to get tested often. COVID-19 tests are FREE. To schedule an appointment, visit nyc.gov/covidtest.
COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility
Next week, New York will expand vaccine eligibility to New Yorkers with comorbidities. A full list will be released shortly. Qualifying New Yorkers will be eligible starting February 15th. To learn if you are already eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, click here.
For a comprehensive guide on the COVID-19 vaccine, click here.
VA Notifying High-Risk Veterans
The VA has launched the COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach for Veterans software program. This new program will find high-risk veterans in the VA database and notify them as to when they can expect to get their COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more.
Scheduling a Vaccine Appointment at the VA:
The VA NY Harbor Healthcare System is offering the COVID-19 vaccine to 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 VA care team at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center 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.
Scheduling a Vaccine Appointment at NYC Health + Hospitals:
If you are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, you can schedule a FREE appointment at an NYC Health + Hospitals location by calling 877-VAX-4NYC (1-877-829-4692) or by visiting the NYC COVID-19 Vaccine Finder. To learn more information, click here. Appointments are required!
You can also visit the following resources to find other locations that may have appointments available:
What to Expect at Your Vaccine Appointment:
Here's what you can expect at your COVID-19 vaccine appointment.
Vaccines are Free:
The COVID-19 vaccines are FREE for all, regardless of immigration status.
Avoid Scammers:
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 Are Safe:
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.
Vaccine Distribution in NYC
As of Thursday, 2/4, NYC has given 859,803 doses. Follow the City's vaccination progress here.
Starting Friday, 2/5, NYC will be administering vaccines to Bronxites at Yankees Stadium. If you are eligible and live in the Bronx, you can make a vaccine appointment here.
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Stories of the Black Veteran Experience
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A WWII soldier lies about his race to serve his country, a black woman veteran reflects on the promotion that was taken from her, a biracial cadet confronts alienation and privilege.
To celebrate Black History Month, we're revisiting our special podcast series "The Black Veteran Experience." In the first installment, black veterans of different eras discuss family, service, and maintaining dignity in the face of discrimination. Listen here.
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VA Eviction Moratorium Extended
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The Veterans Benefits Administration has extended its moratorium on evictions and foreclosures for properties backed by the VA home loan program until March 31, 2021. For more info and assistance, call 877-827-3702 or click here.
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Student Veteran Resources
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Finance Your Education:
The Posse Foundation seeks applicants for its Veteran Program, which helps selected Post 9/11 veterans receive a cost-free bachelor's degree at Vassar College, Wesleyan University, and the University of Virginia. Learn more and apply.
Emergency Assistance:
Under the latest COVID-19 relief bill, many college students, including student veterans, will be eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits they can use to buy food. Students are now eligible for SNAP benefits if they:
- are eligible for federal or state-funded work-study programs during the regular school year or,
- have an expected family contribution (EFC) of $0 during the current academic year.
Apply for SNAP benefits at nyc.gov/accesshra.
Special Student Veteran Newsletter:
Next week's DVS newsletter will be dedicated to student veterans. Stay tuned for programs, initiatives, and resources to help student veterans live, learn, and work in NYC.
For more information, visit nyc.gov/studentvet.
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Tax season is upon us. Veterans and their families are encouraged to use the following free tax preparation services to ensure their taxes are filed properly and their refunds are delivered promptly:
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
The VITA program offers free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals, including:
- People who generally make $57,000 or less
- Persons with disabilities; and
- Limited English-speaking taxpayers
Learn more.
Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE)
The TCE program offers free tax help to those who are 60 years of age and older. TCE specializes in tax issues that are unique to seniors, such as pensions and retirement savings. Learn more.
MyFreeTaxes
MyFreeTaxes offers free online tax preparation and filing assistance to filers in all 50 states and Washington D.C. Learn more.
NYC Free Tax Prep
Preparers from NYC Free Tax Prep can help you file taxes if you earn $64,000 or less (families) or $45,000 or less (single filer). Learn more.
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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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Healing Their Hidden Wounds
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Operation Warrior Shield (OWS) is hosting the Healing Their Hidden Wounds online event. The event will feature VIP speakers and celebrities addressing veteran mental health and the value of specially trained service dogs for veterans. For a full list of speakers, click here.
WHEN: Mon, February 15th | 7 pm
Register here
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NY State Benefits and Legal Services
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The New York State Division of Veterans' Services and the VOLS - Volunteers of Legal Service is hosting a free webinar to review veterans' benefits, the NYS eviction moratorium, drafting a Last Will and Testament, and other advance directives.
WHEN: Thurs, February 18th | 1 pm - 3 pm
Join By Phone: 518-549-0500
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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 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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