QUESTION
Why are there delays in appointment availability for IDNYC, and what measures are being taken to improve access?
1:31:20
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140 sec
The delay in appointments for IDNYC is primarily due to an increased demand, and efforts are in place to assist communities in navigating the system.
- Increased demand for IDNYC has led to appointment delays.
- The Mayor's Office for Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) partners with local community-based organizations to establish office hours for assistance.
- MOIA staff actively helps people navigate city services, focusing on IDNYC assistance.
- There is a mentioned coordination challenge between MOIA and other agencies, such as the Human Resources Administration (HRA), in strategizing to reduce delays.
Shekar Krishnan
1:31:20
And what about the the delay and the inability for people to make appointments?
1:31:25
We've seen this with respect to other public benefits as well.
1:31:28
These benefits and these programs are only as good as people have access so long as people have access to them as with all the laws and policies we create.
1:31:36
It's particularly true for immigrant communities in particular that not creating accessible programs, making sure we're cutting through the bureaucracy is denied people the benefits that they deserve and are entitled to.
1:31:48
And so in this situation, what are the reasons that people are unable to make appointments?
1:31:53
Is it a staff shortage?
1:31:55
What is the shortage?
1:31:56
Why is it that it's been so difficult to get people access to appointments for IDNYC?
Manuel Castro
1:32:02
Yes.
1:32:02
My my understanding is the the search, the increase in the demand for IDNYC.
1:32:07
Again, I have to defer to to my my college at DSS for the technical reasons.
1:32:11
But what we've done as Moia, we partner with local community based organizations to establish office hours to come in and and help non prop members of these communities navigate the system and successfully connect with IDNOC.
1:32:28
Our outreach staff is out throughout New York City trying to to help people navigate city services, and this is primarily the one that we we assist with.
Shekar Krishnan
1:32:38
Does HRA bring you into these conversations to coordinate strategy, roll out reducing delays funding.
1:32:45
Is that something that you all and HR reg are are in close coordination and communication on?
Manuel Castro
1:32:50
Not at the moment.
1:32:51
As I said earlier, agencies are not required to bring us into these conversations.
1:32:56
However, we're available and happy to support as needed.
Molly Schaeffer
1:33:01
And I'll just say that we work closely with them to ensure that people know about New York City IDs in our shelter systems and that if there's any misinformation about what it can be used for, that we're helping people understand what it can it can used for.
Shekar Krishnan
1:33:16
Thank you.
1:33:16
That that's a problem.
1:33:17
And I think for an for an administration that prides itself on efficiency, one of the most basic ways to increase efficiencies is to actually increase interagency communication, especially after over a program that so clearly is both under your jurisdiction and HRAs regardless of who technical jurisdiction falls under.
1:33:35
I I could be wrong, but the impression seems to be to the administration to stop promoting IDNYC Enrollment.