RyeCity REVIEW THE
January 15, 2021 | Vol. 9, Number 3 | www.ryecityreview.com
State updates vaccine distributions plans
Fly eagle, fly James Rohr, a Bronxville boy scout, with Scoutmaster Jon Denfield, completed a renovation project at Concordia College as part of his eagle scout requirement. For more, see page 6.
Photo/Power Lai
COVID-19 rental assistance extended to February The deadline for renters to apply for help under the New York State COVID Rent Relief Program has been extended to Feb. 1, 2021 and eligibility has been expanded. The program provides eligible households with a one-time rental subsidy that will be sent directly
to the household’s landlord. Applicants will not need to repay this assistance. Previous Applicants for COVID Rent Relief will not have to reapply to be reconsidered. Using the new criteria, New York State Home and Community Renewal will re-evaluate all
previous applications who were denied and issue revised determination letters to applicants. For help, applicants can contact HCR’s COVID Rent Relief Extension Program Call Center for assistance at 1-833-499-0318 or covidrentrelief@hcr.ny.gov. Call Center representatives are
available Monday through Friday 8:3 0.a.m-5 p.m. Call Center staff are available to assist residents in filling out the application over the phone. To access applications online and for further information visit https://hcr.ny.gov/RRP. (Subintted)
For the next round of applications, tenants will have to meet all of the following criteria
Must be a renter and have a primary residence in New York State
Applicants must have lost income during the period of April 1, 2020 to July 31, 2020
Before March 7, 2020, 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 between April 1, 2020 to July 31, 2020
New York State is distributing the COVID-19 vaccine in phases based on need and risk. Although plans remain fluid, New Yorkers in Phase 1a and segments of Phase 1b currently are eligible for the vaccines. Eligible groups include doctors, nurses and health care workers, and now people age 75 and over, first responders, teachers, public transit workers, grocery store workers and public safety workers. All vaccinations are by appointment only. Residents and staff at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities will continue to be vaccinated through a federal program, which the state is providing resources to accelerate. Health care workers who are part of Phase 1a will continue to be vaccinated at hospitals and other clinical settings. People age 75 and over will primarily be vaccinated at pharmacies and other sites that are part of the “retail network.” New York State has an online tool to determine eligibility and find a vaccination location at https:// am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine. health.ny.gov/. Beginning at 4 p.m. on
Monday, Jan. 11, the State COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline will open for scheduling vaccination appointments for eligible New Yorkers: 1-833-NYS-4VAX (1-833-697-4829). Public employees (for example, police departments, public school teachers and MTA employees) will primarily be vaccinated through their groups’ relevant health programs or as organized by their unions. Prior to receiving the vaccination, you must complete the New York State COVID-19 Vaccine Form. This form can be completed online at https:// forms.ny.gov/s3/vaccine you will receive a submission ID. Alternatively, you can fill out the form at your vaccination site. Individuals being vaccinated must bring proof of eligibility to the vaccination site. This may include an employee ID card, a letter from an employer or affiliated organization, or a pay stub, depending on the specific priority status. For more information about eligibility, phased distribution and more, visit https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/whatyou-need-know. (Submitted)