Yes.  Information on applying/the approval process is below.

If you already have an open cash assistance case with HRA, additional information can be found here.

You must show HRA all of the following:

• You can pay your rent in the future (HRA calls this “future ability to pay”) and you will still have cash left over to cover your basic needs. This can be your own money from work or from monthly benefits like Social Security, or it can be the income of someone else that you live with, or it could be from someone outside your household who helps you pay your bills. “Future ability” can also be demonstrated by showing you have recently been approved for a housing subsidy like FHEPS, City FHEPS, Section 8, etc.
  • TIP: when you apply be sure you can show HRA that you can pay the current month’s rent.
  • TIP: HRA says that Seniors on SSI DO NOT need to show “future ability to pay” and can reapply for a OSD every 4 months.
• You do not have other savings that you can use to pay your back rent, including bank accounts, retirement accounts, holiday accounts, tax refunds.
  • TIP: SSI back award money for a child DOES NOT have to be spent on rent arrears to be approved for a OSD.

• Your apartment is affordable.
• Being evicted will be a life risk for someone in your household because they are older or have a disability.
• Why you fell behind in paying your rent and need this assistance.

You can apply for a OSD in multiple ways:

• Online via the AccessHRA website.
• In person at an HRA Benefits Access Center (BAC). Find your center here.
• By home visit or by telephone (as a Reasonable Accommodation due to a disability).
• By mailing or faxing a paper application.

After you’ve applied using one of the methods above call for an interview: 929-273-1872

• Call immediately after submitting the application.
• Call first thing in the morning.
• Prepare to wait on the phone or use the call-back option.
• If you do not get a call back in 48 hours, call again.
• Answer unknown numbers if you have asked for a callback.

You will need to provide relevant documents either by uploading them via mobile app or go in person to a BAC and scan them at a kiosk.

These documents will include income and resources, identity, citizenship/immigration status, proof of residence, SSN or the proof of having applied for it, school attendance record for children under 16, information about who is in the household and what their relationships are to one another.

You can apply for an OSD even if you have requested one in the past, but if it has been less than 12 months, you will need to address why you fell behind in rent payments again at your required interview. (Remember, if you are a senior with SSI, you can apply once every four months).

HRA is supposed to process your request in time to meet your emergency need and take no longer than 30 days. You can check the status of your application on your Access HRA account or call the Department of Social Services’(DSS) OneNumber at 718-557-1399.

It often takes HRA longer than 30 days to process your application once all documents have been submitted and you have had your interview. If you do not receive a decision in 30 days, you should follow up with your BAC or call 311.

Checks are usually sent directly to your landlord, or they will be delivered to Housing Court. If you have a lawyer helping you, the lawyer might ask HRA to send them the checks instead.

HRA is supposed to send you a written notice of denial or approval. If your OSD application is denied, the reason should be on the notice.

If you are denied a OSD, you can reapply immediately.

If you are denied or the amount is wrong, you can ALSO request a fair hearing.  Please note that the fair hearing process can take a long time and might result in a decision that says that the agency has to re-process or continue to process your application. If you need an OSD quickly, it is often best to also reapply while you wait for your hearing and make sure you provide all the supporting documentation and correct any errors you may have made before.

For more information on fair hearings, visit Fair Hearing Help NY.

At least one person in the household should be eligible for cash assistance based on their immigration status. Many people applying for immigration status are eligible for cash assistance, including TPS applicants, asylum applicants, people with parole, and others. If a parent does not have a qualifying status, they can apply on behalf of a child living with them who does. Example: An undocumented parent can apply for an OSD if they have children who are US citizens or otherwise eligible for cash assistance. The household must still meet the eligibility requirements described above.

Most people will have to repay HRA back some or all the One-Shot Deal money. People who receive SSI DO NOT have to pay back emergency grants including certain types of rent arrears grants. If you do have to repay, you can negotiate a reasonable repayment plan with HRA.

You can contact the following HRA office to work out a repayment plan:

New York City Department of Social Services/HRA
Investigation, Revenue and Enforcement Administration
Division of Claims and Collections
375 Pearl Street – 22nd floor
New York, NY 10038

Or

• Call DSS OneNumber: 718-557-1399
• Fax: 917-639-0724
• Email: claimscollections@dss.nyc.gov

Tell them what you can pay each month. In our experience, if you pay something each month, the agency will be satisfied.

The information in this document has been prepared by The Legal Aid Society for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. This information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. You should not act upon any information without retaining professional legal counsel.