MELS

NEW YORK EVICTION MORATORIUM

The US Supreme Court issued an injunction suspending New York’s Eviction Moratorium. This means that tenants who filed a hardship declaration are no longer protected and landlords can now ask the court for the necessary permission needed to evict.

This does not mean that tenants who owe rent or are facing an eviction case should give up and move out. There are still many steps landlords must take to proceed with an eviction, and there are still many ways tenants can defend their homes. MELS can help. Call our Screening Unit at (212) 815-1111 for advice and legal representation.

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EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ERAP)

New York State’s Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance is accepting applications to help tenants pay rent arrears. The Emergency Rental Assistance Program can provide up to 15 months of rent and up to 12 months of gas and electric utility arrears.

Tenants who apply for ERAP are protected from eviction while the application is processed.

To apply for ERAP click here. If you have questions or need assistance, call the MELS Screening Unit at (212) 815-1111.

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CDC EVICTION MORATORIUM EXTENDED thru OCT. 3

The Centers for Disease Control issued an eviction moratorium that remains in effect until October 3, 2021. This temporarily halted eviction in counties with heightened levels of community transmission in response to recent unexpected developments in the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the rise of the Delta variant. All five counties of New York City are covered by the CDC Order.

Tenants must serve their landlord a completed CDC Hardship Declaration form and file it with the Housing Court to be protected under the CDC Order. Click here for the CDC Hardship Declaration. If you have questions or need assistance, call the MELS Screening Unit at (212) 815-1111.

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STUDENT LOAN FORBEARANCE EXTENDED
thru JAN. 31, 2022

On Friday, August 6, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education announced a final extension of the student loan forbearance. Scheduled to terminate on September 31, 2021, the pause on student loan payments, interest accrual and collections has been extended through January 31, 2022.

Members with questions about the extension are encouraged to contact the DC 37 MELS Screening and Intake office at (212) 815-1111 to request to speak with an attorney, or email: MELSscreeningunit@dc37.net.

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EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES

“Post-pandemic, it is important to prioritize your health and wellbeing. Be proactive. A lot of things can be caught early.”   – MSK Cancer Survivor

DC 37 has partnered with Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) to help raise awareness about the importance of cancer screening and prevention. Screenings help detect cancer early when it’s easier to treat. Take MSK’s short assessment here to get personalized screening recommendations and tips on how to lower your risk for cancer. In less than 5 minutes, you can take the first step toward taking charge of your health.

Note:  On July 27, MSK discovered a system glitch where a few users did not receive their results. MSK immediately resolved the issue and sends their sincere apologies to those affected. If you did not receive your results, please retake the test to get your results.

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DC 37 has a partnership with MSK Direct to provide members and their families dedicated access to exceptional cancer care, support, and expert resources from the world’s leading specialists at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). If you or a family member are impacted by cancer and would like to discuss treatment options at MSK, call the dedicated MSK Direct phone line for DC 37: 833-786-3365 or visit www.mskcc.org/DC37.

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GET HELP PAYING for CHILD CARE

The Child Care Facilitated Enrollment Project is a NYS funded pilot program that was developed to assist working parents to increase access to childcare subsidies and quality care in New York City for children up to 13 years of age with qualifying incomes (up to $72,050 for a family of four). For more information, visit: https://www.cwenet.net/nysfe-1

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COVID-19 WORKERS’ COMP and SHORT-TERM DISABILITY BENEFITS

DC 37 urges members who believe they have contracted coronavirus in the line of duty to apply for New York State Workers’ Compensation. For a list of Workers’ Comp lawyers click here: https://bit.ly/3f1wK8z.  Additionally, DC 37 Health & Security short-term disability benefits may be available for members who have filed Workers’ Comp claims. For more information click here: http://bit.ly/3ptCdt0

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FEMA COVID-19 BURIAL RELIEF

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) burial relief program is accepting applications. The maximum amount of financial aid available is $9,000 per funeral up to $35,500 per application with multiple COVID-19 decedents. FEMA federal funeral assistance can be used to help with expenses for funeral services held in 2020 for COVID-19 deaths, interment or cremation. Call the FEMA hotline: 844-684-6333 (TTY: 800-462-7585), 8 AM to 8 PM Central Time, Monday through Friday. For additional burial assistance programs, please visit: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/burial-assistance.page.              

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WORKWELL NYC EVENTS

2021 STEPtember Walking Challenge, Sept. 20 thru Oct. 19

WorkWell NYC’s STEPtember is back! This year, it’s all about movement through music as we get active and stay healthy together all month long! Registration is open from Aug. 23 to Sept. 15. Learn more and register at: on.nyc.gov/steptember.

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HEALTH COACHING AVAILABLE for CITY EMPLOYEES

WorkWell NYC is offering two unique programs to combat diabetes and hypertension, featuring live coaching support from CDC-Certified coaches and nutrition experts. These courses are designed in small, supportive groups to help you lose weight, reduce stress, and meet lifestyle goals. Learn more and enroll here: on.nyc.gov/healthcoach.

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Biweekly COVID-19 Briefing for City Workers

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Immunization Justice Workgroup invites you to its biweekly COVID-19 briefing Aug. 26 at 12 noon. Health Department clinician Dr. Julian Watkins will provide updates on current events, COVID-19 cases in NYC, COVID-19 vaccines, and be available for Q&A. This biweekly briefing space was created by staff, for staff to share vital information. Register for all WorkWell NYC events at: on.nyc.gov/upcomingevents

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BENEFITS

PAID FAMILY LEAVE BENEFIT

The NYS Paid Family Leave benefit is 12 weeks. The maximum weekly paid benefit is $971.61 or $1,943 bi-weekly. This union negotiated New York State benefit is available to nearly all DC 37 members, including members in the six nonprofit and private sector locals. For more details, please read the DC 37 blog. To access the 2021 PFL calculator, visit: http://on.ny.gov/2LsklQ8

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EDUCATION

AFSCME FREE 4-YEAR COLLEGE

The AFSCME free 4-year college program has been extended for good. This can be combined with the Free College program, under which AFSCME members and their immediate family can earn associate degrees for free. This means members of the AFSCME family can go to college for free from anywhere in the country. All they need is a computer and an internet connection. For more information visit: https://freecollege.afscme.org/

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DC 37 EDUCATION FUND

EDUCATION FUND IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FALL 2021 CLASSES: The DC 37 Education Fund is now accepting applications for Fall 2021 classes. For now, classes are offered online. We have computer, language, GED and labor education courses plus a lot more. For more information, please visit: www.dc37edfund.org/courses.

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LOCAL 372 PARAPROFESSIONALS can earn 18 credits annually towards a degree in Human Services through a partnership with Monroe College in the Fall 2021 term. For more information, email ppunch@dc37.net.

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LOCAL 372 MEMBERS WORKING in SCHOOL FOOD can earn an Associate Degree in Nutrition and Culinary Management through a partnership with LaGuardia Community College. For more information, email lpicano@dc37.net.

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CUNY COUNSELING IS HERE FOR YOU! This is the ideal time to plan for Fall enrollment at the CUNY college of your choice. Let Worker Education at the CUNY School of Labor & Urban Studies (SLU) help guide you through the process of finding the best CUNY program to match your education and career goals. Expert advisors offer FREE one-on-one phone sessions on: academic requirements for specific jobs; choosing a CUNY campus and major; applying to and financing a CUNY degree; certificate and non-credit options at CUNY, transferring previous credits, and more. Each session is free and catered to your specific goals and needs. To view the calendar and schedule your CUNY advisement session visit: CUNYDays.eventbrite.com Can’t find a date/time that works for you? Visit WorkerEd@slu.cuny.edu.

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EDUCATION AND CAREER COUNSELING: Do you need guidance selecting a class from our offerings or need assistance reaching a career or educational goal? Contact a counselor to schedule a virtual appointment: https://www.dc37.net/benefits/education/offerings/counseling

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RETIREES EDUCATION Courses for FALL 2021: We are accepting applications for online classes for the FALL 2021 cycle. Apply here: https://form.jotform.com/211390511235141, to file online; or at https://www.dc37.net/benefits/education/deptclasses/retirees. If you prefer to print and mail the application to the address indicated. Email Manuel Gomez-Rosa: mgomezrosa@dc37.net or call 212-815-1700.

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SIX FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURE DISCOUNT
ENDS AUG. 31

DC 37 members get discounted admission to the Six Flags theme park in New Jersey and can save over $40 on the gate admission. Just click the link below and enter promo code rewards2021 in the red box at the top right-hand corner that says “Enter Promo.”

Order tickets on line here: https://www.sixflags.com/greatadventure