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ACCESS HRA Resources

ACCESS HRA Frequently Asked Questions

SNAP Application Frequently Asked Questions
Cash Assistance Application Frequently Asked Questions
HEAP Application Frequently Asked Questions

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General ACCESS HRA Help

Who should I contact if I have an emergency?

For help with an emergency, please dial 911. To contact a City Agency, or to inquire about other City government services, please dial 311.

Where can I find information on applying for SNAP (food stamps)?

Visit the SNAP Application Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Where can I find information on applying for Cash Assistance?

Why can't I view ACCESS HRA in a language other than English?

ACCESS HRA is available in seven languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Haitian Creole, Russian, and Arabic. If you are having trouble viewing the program in any of these languages, you can click the 'Contact Us' link at the top of every page or dial 311 and ask for 'ACCESS HRA.'

How do I contact the ACCESS HRA Help Desk?

If you are experiencing a technical issue with ACCESS HRA, please go to the “Contact us” button at the bottom of the ACCESS HRA homepage to send a message to the ACCESS HRA help desk. 

You can also email the AHRA Website Helpdesk: accesshrahelpdesk@dss.nyc.gov for website issues or the Mobile App Helpdesk: accesshrasuppapp@dss.nyc.gov for mobile app issues.

 In the message, please include a screenshot of the error the client is seeing, description of the issue and ACCESS HRA username. 

At this time, we do not provide information on pending applications or case status through the ACCESS HRA Help Desk.

You can also dial 311 and ask for 'ACCESS HRA' at anytime. 

To reschedule an interview please call the Human Resources Administration (HRA) Infoline at 718-557-1399

How do I get directions to a program office?

On the office locations search page, you can search for program offices and click 'Map It.' This will show exactly where the office is located on a map of the neighborhood. Subway lines and stations will be shown on the map for convenience.

How do I get information about the documents I may need to apply for a program?

On the required documents search page, you can search for documents by program. This will show the types of documents needed to apply for each program.

How do I navigate through ACCESS HRA?

User Account

What happens if I forget my User ID or password?

For security reasons the ACCESS HRA Help Desk cannot reset passwords or look up old passwords. If you forget or lose your User ID, you will need to enter your information into ACCESS HRA again and create a new account. If you forget or lose your Password, you will need to correctly answer the security questions that you entered when you created your account using your email to recover the password. Select the 'Forgot Password' link on the ACCESS HRA Login page to recover a forgotten password. If you forget or lose your User ID, you will need to create a new account.

Online Applications

Why can't I print my application form from ACCESS HRA?

Your computer must be connected to a printer. If your computer is not connected to a printer, you may create an account so that you can return to ACCESS HRA to print your application form from a different computer.

How do I submit my application(s) for the programs found on ACCESS HRA?

For the Cash Assistance program, you may submit your application or recertification online using ACCESS HRA. For the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) you may submit your application or recertification online using ACCESS HRA.

What information do I need to complete a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Online Application?

You will need information about your household, income, expenses, and school enrollment to answer questions in ACCESS HRA.

I do not live in New York City. How can I apply for SNAP?

If you live in New York outside of New York City and are interested in learning about benefit programs or applying for benefits including SNAP, visit the New York State MyBenefits Website

I have already submitted a paper application for SNAP. Do I need to apply online?

You have 30 days from the agency receipt of your application to complete an interview and receive an eligibility determination from the agency. If you applied already by paper, you may not need to apply again. You can check the status of your application on ACCESS HRA after you have connected your HRA profile, or you can contact Infoline at the Human Resources Administration for further information at 718-557-1399.

I have already submitted a paper recertification for SNAP. Do I need to submit an online recertification?

No, you do not need to submit online if you have already completed and submitted to HRA a paper/fax recertification form for your SNAP benefits that are due to expire.You will need to complete an interview prior to completing the recertification. Call the agency at 718-557-1399 to complete the interview and recertify for SNAP.You can check the status of your recertification on ACCESS HRA after you have connected to your HRA profile.

What information do I need to complete a Cash Assistance Online Application?

You will need information about your household, income, expenses, and school enrollment to answer questions in ACCESS HRA.

Where can I find information about the status of my SNAP or Cash Assistance case, next payment, upcoming appointments, and documents I need to return?

Online

On ACCESS HRA you are able to view the status of your case(s), payments, appointments, documents and much more. The "Home'' page has a summary of your case record. You can click on a card to view more details for a case OR you can click on one of the menu options at the top of the page.

Case History: You can view all cases for the last 12 months, along with the status of each case by clicking on the "Benefits" menu option at the top of the page.

Case Details: You can view when your recertification is due, request a budget letter, household members on your case and more by clicking on the card with the "View Case" option.

If you have further questions about the status of your application or recertification, you can contact Infoline at 718-557-1399.

Call us

Call HRA's Infoline at 718-557-1399 for more information.

Visit your nearest Center

You can also go to your nearest Center and request information about your case.

Where can I see my notices and documents that I sent to HRA?

Notices

You can see what notices you recently received for your case by logging onto ACCESS HRA and selecting "E-notices" from the menu option. If you are enrolled in 'Paperless notices', you must read all notices issued to your case within 30 days. Failure to do so will result in your disenrollment in Paperless notices.

Please note: Not all notices for your case are shown on this page. Certain notices will only be received by mail at your 'Mailing Address' on file. In order to view a notice, click the 'View Notice' icon.

Documents

You can see documents you recently submitted to HRA for your case by logging onto ACCESS HRA and selecting "Documents" from the menu option.

If you have not linked to your ACCESS HRA account with your Human Resources Administration (HRA) case, you will be presented with the "Find My Case" page where you will be asked to enter Date of Birth and Social Security Number OR Client Identification Number (CIN). This will allow HRA to locate your case information.

I submitted documents to HRA already, but they are still showing as "Documents I need to Return". Why?

If you submitted your documents to HRA, it is possible that it has been received but it hasn't yet been added to your case file by an HRA worker. You can see documents HRA has recently received under the "Recent Documents for Your Case" section. Please remember that documents must be reviewed for accuracy and completeness, and accepted by a HRA worker before eligibility requirements can be met. If you are concerned, you can also visit your local SNAP Center and request a document receipt after they are submitted.

How can I return documents back to HRA?

After you submit your application, a list of documents you may need to provide the Human Resources Administration (HRA) will be shown. This list may be different for each household, depending on what information you provided in your application.

You can return documents to HRA using the ACCESS HRA mobile app, in person at a center, by mail or fax.

Using a mobile device; such as a smartphone or tablet

You can submit using the ACCESS HRA mobile app

In person, by fax, or mail

SNAP Application Frequently Asked Questions
Cash Assistance Application Frequently Asked Questions

I'm trying to connect to my HRA case, but keep getting an error. What am I doing wrong?

When you are connecting to your HRA case, it is important to remember the following:

  • If you are the Head of Case, you must enter your date of birth and either your Social Security Number (SSN) or your Client Identification Number (CIN) in order for HRA to locate your case.
  • If you are a Payee on a case, and do not have an SSN, you can enter your date of birth and your Client Identification Number (CIN).
  • If you are a Payee on a case and do not know your CIN, you can enter the date of birth and the SSN or CIN of the eldest child on the case or another adult on the case.

How do I request a reasonable accommodation?

Please follow the instructions found on the Disability Access page. If you have additional questions, please contact Infoline at 718-557-1399.

I received a notice that says I can recertify my case on ACCESS HRA, but I keep getting an error that I am not in my Recertification Period. What is wrong?

If you received a notice from HRA informing you that you can recertify your case online but you receive an error message informing you that you are not in your Recertification Period, you should try again in a few days. Due to mailing times, it is possible that you received your notice early and the system is not open for your recertification period yet.

How do I reschedule my eligibility interview?

If you miss your interview or you need to reschedule for other reasons, you can contact the Human Resources Administration (HRA) InfoLine at 718-557-1399.

How can I complete my interview? What if I miss my interview call?

If you are applying for or recertifying for SNAP only, and you were given a date and time frame for your interview

A worker will call you to complete your telephone interview. Many times applicants may miss the telephone interview because it comes from an unfamiliar number and they do not answer the call. Please expect the call to come from an unfamiliar number and try to answer during the 2-5 days after you submit your application.

If you miss your interview or you need to reschedule for other reasons, you can contact the Human Resources Administration (HRA) InfoLine at 718-557-1399. If you miss all the attempted phone calls, you should visit your SNAP Home Center to complete your interview as soon as possible. You can also call HRA Infoline at 718-557-1399 to schedule an in center interview.

If you have a SNAP only case and you were told to call a specific number for your interview

If you received a message from HRA indicating that you should call us for an interview, please follow those instructions as we will not be calling you to schedule the interview. Please note: Not all clients are currently eligible to call us for their interview, so only call if you receive a specific message after you submit your SNAP online application or if you are told to do so on an official notice from New York State or HRA.

If you are applying or recertifying for Cash Assistance and you miss your interview

You will have to complete your interview in-person at your local center because there are no telephone interviews for Cash Assistance

I moved out of NYC, how do I cancel my benefits?

If you are moving out of New York City you must contact your center or call Infoline at 718-557-1399 to let HRA know that you are moving.

How do I update information in my case, such as address, email address, phone number and add a person to my case?

To update your email, mailing address, and/or phone number

You can update this information online by clicking on the dropdown option located at the top right section of the page, next to your username or email address and selecting "Profile". To edit your information, click the "Update" button on the "Contact Information" section.

If you have not linked to your ACCESS HRA account with your Human Resources Administration (HRA) case, click on "Find My Case" and you will be asked to enter Date of Birth and Social Security Number OR Client Identification Number (CIN). This will allow HRA to locate your case information.

To update your Residence Address

If you have recently moved and need to update your address, please call InfoLine at 718-557-1399 as soon as possible. You can also contact your center to make this update.

To add a person to your case

If you want to add a person to your Cash Assistance case, you must go in person to your local center to complete this request.

If you want to add someone to your SNAP only case you may call InfoLine at 718-557-1399 or go in person to your local center to complete this request.

Where can I register to vote?

You can register to vote at any HRA Center or PC Bank. Ask any staff person in the PC Bank for a Voter Registration form, complete and sign it and drop it in the convenient basket. We will mail it to the Board of Elections for you. Or , if you prefer, you may print and mail the form from your own home as part of your submitted Application or Recertification. Complete and mail the form to the Board of Elections, 32 Broadway, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10275-0067. If you would like to contact the Board of Elections for information, call 866-VOTE-NYC; TTY 212-487-5496.

How do I know my Rent was paid?

If HRA is making rent payments as part of a Cash Assistance case, view the list of payments on ACCESS HRA.

Information about other programs

Know Your Rights: Do you receive housing benefits?

It's illegal for landlords to refuse to rent to you. Learn more about your rights.

What is the NYC Rent Freeze Program?

Learn more about the NYC Rent Freeze Program.