Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
AGENCY TESTIMONY
DSS outreach efforts for food assistance programs
0:11:18
·
153 sec
Jill Berry details the extensive outreach efforts conducted by the Department of Social Services to increase awareness and engagement with food assistance programs, particularly SNAP. She emphasizes the importance of making New Yorkers aware of available resources.
- The DSS Office of Community Outreach conducts targeted campaigns for specific populations, including older adults, LGBTQI community, persons with disabilities, and immigrant communities.
- DSS provides SNAP trainings, presentations, and assistance with the application process.
- In 2024, DSS conducted 80 trainings with 2,123 attendees, focusing on using tools to submit SNAP and other benefits applications.
Jill Berry
0:11:18
Outreach remains an essential component of our work, upholding our obligation to both make assistance available and make New Yorkers aware that the city serves as a partner in food security.
0:11:32
To that end, the DSS office of community outreach conducts targeted outreach campaigns to organizations serving specific populations including older adults, the LGBTQI community, persons with disabilities, and immigrant communities.
0:11:49
The Office of Community Outreach conducts presentations and attends resource fairs, farmers markets, and other events to increase SNAP awareness and engagement.
0:12:00
In addition, DSS works through various channels to educate the public about SNAP benefits to maximize city's use of available federal programs to increase the purchasing power of low income New Yorkers.
0:12:14
Office of Community Outreach also provides SNAP trainings and presentations, prescreens potentially eligible applicants, and assists with the SNAP application process.
0:12:26
As I mentioned at the start of my testimony, New Yorkers in need of assistance should call 311, visit foodhelp.nyc.gov to find nearby food pantries and community kitchens or reach us through Access HRA or one of our benefits access centers.
0:12:45
New Yorkers can also be connected to a community based organization to get help with SNAP enrollment as well as other benefits by calling 311 or visiting the HRA website and clicking on the find a partner organization section.
0:13:02
In addition, DSS participates in monthly SNAP task force meetings chaired by Food Bank for New York City to provide updates and answer questions from participating CBOs.
0:13:14
In 2024 DSS conducted a total of 80 trainings which included 2,123 attendees and using these tools to submit snap and other benefits to applications and provide benefit case management via Access HRA.
0:13:33
Training attendees include staff from other municipal agencies, community partner organizations including older adult center staff.
0:13:42
These trainings were also a forum for questions and concerns from providers and advocates working directly with HRA and DHS clients including older adults.