Prepare for Flying With Real I.D.
Taking a trip? Make sure you are ready with Real ID.
Beginning May 7, 2025, the federal government will require your driver license, permit or ID card to be REAL ID compliant if you wish to use it as identification to board a domestic flight (within the U.S.)
Need to know more about Real ID?
Click on the link below for more information.
Digital Social Security Option Debuts Summer 2025
Starting this summer, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will introduce a digital alternative to the traditional Social Security card, allowing My Social Security account holders to access and view their Social Security number (SSN) on their cell phone.
The digital option is designed to enhance security by minimizing the risk of lost or stolen cards and streamline user experience.
The SSA emphasizes that a physical card is often unnecessary if the SSN is known.
Create a My Social Security Account using the link below to create a digital card.
Cooling Assistance Benefit
The 2024-2025 Cooling Assistance Benefit opened on April 15, 2025.
If you are eligible, you may receive one Cooling Assistance benefit per applicant household for the purchase and installation of an air conditioner or a fan to help your home stay cool.
You may be eligible for a Cooling Assistance HEAP benefit if:
- Your household's gross monthly income is at or below the current income guidelines for your household size as posted in the following table, or
- You receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, or
- You receive Temporary Assistance (TA), or
- You receive Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI Living Alone), or
- You received a Regular benefit greater than $21 in the current program year or received a Regular benefit equal to $21 during the current program year and reside in government subsidized housing with heat included in your rent, and
- Your household contains at least one individual with a documented medical condition that is exacerbated by extreme heat, or
- Your household contains a vulnerable member based on their age (60 years or older, or under age 6) which meet all other component eligibility criteria, and
- A member of your household is a United States Citizen or Qualified Non-Citizen, and
- You currently do not have a working air conditioner or the air conditioner you have is five years old or older, and
- You did not receive a HEAP funded air conditioner within the past five years.
EmPower+: Up to $10k for Energy Efficiency Improvements
The EmPower+ Application allows low- to moderate-income residents to apply for energy efficiency incentives. This program is available for both owners and renters of 1-to-4 family homes.
Through EmPower+, eligible households can receive:
1. No-cost home energy assessments
2. Direct install improvements, which are energy efficiency improvements installed at no cost during the home energy assessment.
3. No-cost improvements to make your home more comfortable and energy efficient.
Apply online using the link below.
Find a Participating EmPower+ Contractor.
New EBT Freeze Card Feature Available
Use the new freeze card feature to help secure your Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card and protect your benefits from scam-related theft.
You can freeze your EBT card when it is not in use and then unfreeze the card to make a purchase.
Check Eligibility for Fair Fares NYC's 50% Discount on NYC Transportation
Fair Fares NYC is a City program that helps New Yorkers with low incomes reduce their transportation costs. By using the Fair Fares NYC discount, New York City residents get a 50% discount on subway and eligible bus fares (including the Staten Island Railway, Roosevelt Island Tram, and Hudson Rail Link).
Fair Fares also gives 50% off Access-A-Ride trips. This discount is given automatically when the Fair Fares and Access-A-Ride accounts are linked.
Save Time With Easy and Secure Online or By-Mail Passport Application and Renewal Service
No more long waits at the post office. Renew your passport online or by mail.
Click below to learn how to renew your passport online or by mail, get it changed or corrected, or what to do if it expires soon.
Warning: Some countries and airlines deny entry if your passport expires in less than 6 months.
Renew early, as passport processing times vary.
Take Control of Online Security
Protect yourself online by avoiding simple, repetitive passwords.
Instead, create unique passphrases for every account.
Click below for more tips and resources on mantaining online security for every account you mantain.
HEAP - Heating Equipment Repair/Replacement Benefit
Eligible homeowners can avail themselves of the Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement benefit to help repair or replace a household's furnace, boiler, and other direct heating equipment.
Benefit amounts are based on the cost incurred to repair or replace the furnace, boiler, and/or other essential heating equipment.
- $4,000 for a repair
- $8,000 for a replacement
NOTE: Online applications are not available for this benefit.
Eligible HEAP recipients must go to
1912 Mermaid Avenue to pick up an application.
2024-2025 HEAP Clean and Tune Benefit
Eligible households can receive energy efficiency services, including
- Cleaning of primary heating equipment
- Chimney cleaning
- Minor repairs
- Installation of carbon monoxide detectors
- Installation of programmable thermostats
Benefit amounts are based on the actual cost incurred to provide clean and tune services, up to a maximum of $500.
- Household eligibility requirements include
- Filing an application with the local Department of Social Services
- Providing all necessary documentation
- Residing in an eligible living situation
Get Accurate SNAP, HEAP, Medicaid Info Without Waiting for an Agent
The DSS OneNumber (formerly Infoline) offers a quick way for clients to get accurate information about their case without waiting to speak with a DSS OneNumber agent.
Clients can use the DSS OneNumber self-service feature to hear automated case information and request certain forms for some of the Agency's largest benefit programs, including
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
- Cash Assistance
- Medicaid
- HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program),
Types of Self-Service Information and Requests Available for Clients
The list below provides the automated case information and form requests that are available to clients who use the self-service feature.
SNAP & Cash Assistance
- Application or case status
- Appointment information
- Benefit amount
- Case member details
- Budget letter requests
- Payment information
- Recertification information
- Request forms
Medicaid
- Application or case status
- Coverage type & status
- Deferral status
- Deferral extension requests
- Individual status
- Renewal status
- Request forms
- Surplus information
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
- Application status
- Benefit period
- Benefit status
- Benefit type
Payment amount, status, and type
Use the ACCESS HRA button below to apply for some HRA benefits, submit documents for the application, manage the case, and more.
Click on the ACCESS HRA Users Guide below for more information.
More New Yorkers Are Eligible for Help With NYC Transit Expenses
Fair Fares NYC
income eligibility has increased as of January 7, 2025 allowing more NYC
households to be eligible for discounted fares.
The Fair Fares transit discount program’s income eligibility standard has increased to 145% of the federal poverty level for NYers aged 18 – 64 allowing more New Yorkers the ablity to utilize this critical discount to commute to work, visit friends and family, access medical care.
The Fair Fares NYC Program offers NYC
residents a 50% discount on subway and eligible bus fares.
View the “How to Enroll” video here.
Get Free Books by Mail
Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) offers a free delivery service for homebound seniors and people with a disability. Books are delivered by mail in a reusable envelope and are
returned with prepaid postage.
To register, click on the link below for the printable form, have it signed by a doctor, nurse, or social worker and return it by mail or fax.
BPL Books by Mail service can
be reached at (718) 236-1760.
Safeguard Your SNAP Funds
Safeguard your SNAP funds from being theft by tracking spending on the safe ACCESS HRA Mobile App.
With EBT skimming thefts increasing alarmingly over the past year, protecting your SNAP funds is critical.
Find Unclaimed Funds
New New York State legislation has enabled the Office of the State Comptroller to expedite certain unclaimed funds payments of $250 or less.
Every day, the NYS Comptroller's office returns over $1.5 million.
Check today if any of that money is meant for you.
Click on the button below to search for any unclaimed funds associated with your name.
Try your legal name, nickname and first initial.
Appliance Upgrade Program
Save Money on Efficient Heat Pump Clothes Dryers and Electrical Upgrades
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