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NYC Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) Weekly Newsletter

Get Help Paying Your Utility Bill 

As the COVID-19 pandemic forced Americans to spend more time at home, households consumed more energy to keep themselves safe and comfortable. The increase in energy consumption resulted in higher bills that disproportionally hit those already struggling due to the economic collapse. 

As we enter the final stretch of an unprecedented and unpredictable winter, and in anticipation of a spring and summer spent indoors, DVS would like to provide NYC's veteran families with a comprehensive list of resources to help them pay their energy bills:

 

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program that helps low-income energy customers pay their utility bills. Visit the HEAP programs webpage for eligibility requirements for the following programs:


Regular HEAP Benefit:
The Regular HEAP Benefit helps low-income people pay the cost of heating their homes. Eligibility for the program is based on household size and income. If you are eligible, you can receive one benefit per year (you must reapply for the benefit every year). The benefit is paid directly to the heating vendor or utility company. 

Recipients of the Regular HEAP Benefit may also be eligible for an Emergency HEAP Benefit if they are in a heat or heat-related emergency (see below for more information).

The 2020-2021 Regular HEAP Benefit application opened on November 2nd, 2020.  

Emergency HEAP Benefit:
The Emergency HEAP Benefit is available to eligible households who are in impending danger of running out of fuel or having their utility service shut off. Eligibility is based on household size and income. Customers must also have a utility shut-off notice.

The 2020-2021 Emergency HEAP Benefit opened on January 4th, 2021.

Heating Equipment Repair or Replacement Benefit
The Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement Benefit is available to eligible homeowners who need help repairing or replacing their furnace, boiler, and other direct heating equipment necessary to maintain their homes’ primary heating source.

Clean and Tune Benefit
The Clean and Tune Benefit provides eligible households with energy efficiency services to allow for the safe, proper, and efficient operation of their home's heating equipment. Services include:

  • cleaning primary heating equipment and chimneys
  • making minor repairs
  • installing carbon monoxide detectors or programmable thermostats  

Cooling Assistance Benefit
Eligible households can receive one Cooling Assistance Benefit per applicant household for the purchase and installation of an air conditioner or a fan (not to exceed $800 with installation).

The 2020-2021 Cooling Assistance Benefit will open on May 3rd, 2021.

To learn how to apply to a HEAP program, visit the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.

 

Support from Energy Providers

National Grid  

  • National Grid customers interested in applying for a HEAP benefit can visit the company’s website for more information.  
  • HEAP recipients can also receive a monthly bill credit/discount through National Grid’s Energy Affordability Program (EAP). This monthly bill credit is automatic with the receipt of a HEAP payment applied to your account if you receive natural gas heat through National Grid. Learn more, including eligibility information and instructions to apply, here.
  • National Grid and HeartShare Human Services of NY also offer a $200 grant to National Grid customers who are eligible for HEAP benefits. The Neighborhood Heating Fund provides the grant to customers who meet HEAP’s household income guidelines (see the income guidelines chart here). Customers are able to apply once per year after they have exhausted all HEAP assistance. This grant is only available to residents of Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island who live in a 1-2 family house or pay for heat in their apartment. Applications are now available. For more information, call 1-718-422-4207 or visit the HeartShare Human Services website.
  • The National Grid Savings Your Way Program offers customers free, in-person or virtual, home efficiency assessments. Through this program, customers can receive free, easy-to-install energy-saving products, including faucet aerators, low-flow showerheads, pipe wraps, and thermostatic shower valves. To schedule a no-cost home energy assessment visit ngrid.com/savingsyourway or call 1-833-427-SAVE (7283). Learn more here.
  • National Grid’s Consumer Advocates help income-eligible and vulnerable customers facing financial hardship by providing information on programs and services that are available from the company and other community agencies. To contact a Consumer Advocate, call 1-718-643-4050 and ask to have a Consumer Advocate contact you.

Con Edison

  • Con Edison customers can apply for the Regular HEAP Benefit by visiting a Local District HEAP office in person or mailing in an application. Con Edison customers interested in learning more, should visit the New York State Office of Temporary website.

PSEG-LI

  • PSEG-LI customers interested in learning more about the HEAP Benefit program can call 1-800-490-0025 to speak with a Customer Service representative. PSEG-LI customers can learn more about financial assistance programs at the company’s website. 

Information on Eviction Moratorium
Under state law, you can prevent your landlord from evicting you if you lost income or your expenses increased during the pandemic. You can also avoid eviction if moving from your home would pose a hardship. Learn more about NY’s eviction moratorium here.

Career Resources for Veterans

Employment Readiness Workshop
Hope For The Warriors is hosting a virtual Employment Readiness Workshop, to help veterans:
  • create the right resume
  • build a professional brand
  • prepare for a virtual interview
  • network online
WHEN: Wednesday, March 10th | 11:30 am
Space is limited. Register here.

IT Academy
ICD - Institute for Career Development is looking for veterans interested in building a career in technology to join their IT Academy. Participants of the program will earn industry-recognized skills and become Cisco certified in Computer Networking. This program is free for those who meet the following requirements:
  • Veteran (vets with a disability are given priority)
  • Unemployed or underemployed
  • NYS Resident
  • 10 grade TABE
  • Behavioral interview
  • HS diploma / GED required; college strongly preferred
  • Have a demonstrated interest in technology
  • Able to commit to a 6-month training program
Apply here.

Weekly COVID-19 Updates
Each week, we will dedicate a section of our newsletter to COVID-19 updates. This section will be updated weekly to reflect new developments:
 
Protect Yourself:
Please take the following steps to protect yourself and your community:
  • Get Tested Often: To schedule a FREE COVID-19 test, click here. Testing is walk-in only at NYC Health + Hospitals locations. No appointment is needed.
  • Double Mask: Learn how to properly wear two face coverings here. 
  • Avoid Gatherings
  • Socially DIstance
  • Wash Your Hands
  • Get Vaccinated if You're Eligible
COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility 
As of March 1st, the following groups are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine: 
  • Regional food bank paid or unpaid workers
  • Food pantry paid or unpaid workers
  • Permitted home-delivered meal program paid or unpaid workers
  • Hotel workers who have direct contact with guests
For a full list of eligible New Yorkers, click here.
Scheduling a Vaccine Appointment:
 If you are eligible, you can schedule a vaccine appointment here or call 877-VAX-4NYC (1-877-829-4692). Appointments are required! 

You can also visit the following resources to find other locations that may have appointments available:
Scheduling a Vaccine Appointment at the VA:
Eligible veterans, including veterans over 50, enrolled in VA health care can call 1-877-877-9267 to make an appointment at one of the following locations:
Eligible veterans enrolled at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center in the Bronx should call (718) 741-4640 to schedule a vaccine appointment.

Vaccines are Free:
When you are eligible, you can get the vaccine for FREE no matter what. 

Vaccines Are Safe:
According to the CDC, "COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective." Learn more about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine here.

You cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine. To learn more, click here. 

After You Get Vaccinated
The clinical trials showed that both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are very effective at preventing symptoms of COVID-19 and severe illness. More research is needed to see whether the vaccines prevent people from getting and spreading the virus. This means that if you receive the vaccine, you may not get seriously ill but you still might transmit the virus to someone who isn't fully protected. So please continue to wear a mask and socially distance after you get vaccinated. Learn more here.

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.

Feeding Veterans in Need
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. 

Helping File VA Claims
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 Website

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:

 

Connect to Services:

 

Support a Veteran:
Media:
Contact Us:

Contact DVS

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:

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

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

  

 
Please follow us at www.nyc.gov/vets, on social media @nycveterans, or via email at connect@veterans.nyc.gov. 
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New York City Department of Veterans' Services 
1 Centre Street, Suite 2208
New York, NY 10007 
(212) 416-5250
www.nyc.gov/vets


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