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HRA - Frequently Asked Questions
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  • For Cash Assistance, Medicaid and Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, a few of the most frequently required documents are as follows:
    1. Birth Certificates or other acceptable proof of identity for all applicants
    2. Social Security Card for all applicants
    3. Proof of income, resources for each applicant
    4. Proof of residence such as lease, rent statements, and utility bills
    5. School attendance records and day care letters
    6. Proof of child custody, or family / legal relationship
    7. Citizenship or current immigration status
    8. Statement from medical professional regarding homebound status, pregnancy, etc.
    9. Proof of marital status or domestic partnership
    10. Proof of any health insurance coverage
    These documents are not all inclusive. However, HRA Case Managers can assist with gathering documents during application process.
  • A client's eligibility for Cash Assistance benefits is determined using the New York State eligibility guidelines. For single cases, we must first budget all of the income and rent to determine if the client is left with less than $376/month, which is the state-set level of need. If so, then the client is eligible for rental assistance and possibly cash assistance providing rental amount is approved by HASA.
    • Example A:
      • Monthly Rent = $1,419
      • Client does not have any income.
      • Client is eligible for cash and rental assistance. HASA would pay the full rent of $1,419 to the landlord. Client would receive $376 cash grant for food and other expense.
    • Example B:
      • Monthly Rent = $1,419
      • Client’s SSI = $822
      • Client Share of Rent is 30% of SSI Income of $822 = $246.60
      • Client is eligible for rental assistance. HASA pays $1,172.40 rent to landlord via 4 direct vendor payments, including 2 HASA supplemental payments.
    • Example C:
      • Monthly Rent = $1,419
      • Client’s SSD = $1,800
      • Client is ineligible for financial assistance. No budget deficit exists since client is left with more than $376 after paying for the rent.
  • Please refer to Financial Assistance Calculator to obtain an estimate of your eligibility.
  • 15-day Immediate Needs Cash Assistance grant can be issued the same day.
  • Expedited Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program Benefits can be issued the same day.
  • On-going Cash Assistance benefits for Families with children under 18 on the case will be issued within 30 days of application date.
  • On-going Cash Assistance benefits for Single Adult only cases will be issued within 45 days of application date.
  • On-going Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits will be issued within 30 days of application date.
  • Eligible clients who reside in private market apartments and who have income other than Cash Assistance, will not be required to pay more than 30% of their income towards rent*. The client’s rent level must also be approved by HASA.
Budgeting Examples:
1.
Approved monthly rent of $1,419
SSI of $822
Client’s rent share = 30% of $822 = $246.60
HRA will pay to client’s landlord $1,172.40 ($1,419 - $246.60).
2.
Approved monthly rent of $1,419
SSD of $1000
Client’s rent share = 30% of $1000 = $300
HRA will pay to client landlord $1,119 ($1,419 - $300).

    * A client must first be eligible for Cash Assistance benefits using the New York State eligibility calculations and rental amount must be approved by HASA. For example, the monthly budget deficit for a single client must be less than $376 when rent is subtracted from monthly income.
Budgeting Examples:
3.
Monthly rent = $1,419
Client’s SSD = $1,800
After client pays rent of $1,419 out of his/her SSD income of $1,800, s/he is left with $381, which is more than $376. Therefore, a budget deficit does not exist. This client would not be eligible to have his/her rent contribution capped at 30% of income.

  • It is an incentive which allows eligible clients with active Cash Assistance (CA) cases, who gain full or part-time employment, to continue receiving financial assistance provided a budget deficit exits.
  • Earned Income Disregard (EID) Rules:
    • Rules Applied to All Cases
      • Gross Income is used in calculations.
      • Standard Deduction of $45 is subtracted from income semi-monthly (every two weeks).
      • Income Disregard is applied to remaining income. The current percentage of income disregard is 53% (Percentage is subject to change every June 1).
    • Rules for Single and Multiple Adult Cases
      • Each employed individual on the CA case is eligible for the EID for a maximum cumulative period of 12 months.
    • Rules For Family Cases
      • Any employed member of the CA household is eligible for the EID for as long as there is a child in the household and on the CA case. This remains in effect until the last dependent child in the household reaches 18 years of age.
See Example
  • The client earns $425 gross per week; $425 X 4.333 weeks/month = $1841.53
  • $1841.53 ÷ 2 = $920.76 semimonthly income
  • $920.76 - $45 = $875.76
  • $875.76 X .53 (EID) = $464.15
  • $920.76 - $464.15 (EID) = $456.61 ← (amount to be budgeted semi-monthly)
  • Factors that influence one’s budget include, but are not limited to: income, household size (including number of medically eligible HASA clients), rent, recoupments, utility allowance, type of housing, etc.
  • No. The AIDS Institute of the NY State Department of Health funds the stipends for the Peer Educator program. Therefore, the stipend received under this program is excluded from being budgeted against Cash Assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid benefits.
  • HASA will approve rent at the following levels:
    • Efficiency or studio apartment: Up to $1,900
    • One bedroom apartment: Up to $1,945
    • Two bedroom apartment: Up to $2,217
    • Three bedroom apartment: Up to $2,805
    • Four bedroom apartment: Up to $3,006
    These guidelines are based on HUD’s Fair Market Rent and are subject to change annually. Note: These are guidelines, not rules. Rent at higher levels may be approved at the agency’s discretion (e.g. to protect the health or safety of the client). The rent must include heat and hot water. Approval will depend, in part, on the size of the client’s household and an apartment inspection.
  • Eligible clients who reside in private market apartments and have income other than Cash Assistance, will not be required to pay more than 30% of their income towards rent providing the rent amount is approved by HASA. In order to qualify, a client must first be eligible for Cash Assistance benefits using the New York State eligibility calculations. For single cases, we must first budget all of the income and rent as part of the usual HASA budgeting process, to determine if the client is left with less than $376/month, which is the state-set level of need. If so, then the client is eligible for CA and rental assistance, at which point the 30% cap comes into effect.
    • Example A:
      • Monthly rent = $1,419
      • Client’s SSI = $822
      • After client pays rent, the budget deficit is $-597, which is less than the Standard Needs of $376 per month. Therefore, the client is eligible for Cash Assistance.
    • Example B:
      • Monthly rent = $1,419
      • Client’s SSD = $1,800
      • After client pays rent of $1,419 out of his/her SSD income of $1,800, the client is left with $381, which is greater than the Standard Needs of $376 per month. Therefore, the client is ineligible for Cash Assistance.
  • If you are currently living in an apartment and you would like to move, do not abandon your current apartment before discussing it with your Caseworker. Your case worker will work with you to determine the type of housing that will best meet your needs. Our goal is to assist you in maintaining stable, medically appropriate and affordable housing.
  • If you are homeless or in imminent danger (with a documented life threatening situation or health and safety hazard), you can be placed in temporary housing while looking for a new apartment. Please contact your Caseworker.
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  • Yes. You may bring an advocate or representative with you to your appointments. Your advocate will have to identify him/herself at the reception desk to receive a ticket as a visitor. In addition, you will need to sign a HIPAA release form to allow us to discuss your case with the advocate. Once you provide the HIPAA release form and you have notified the agency in writing that you are granting the advocate permission to conduct case transactions on your behalf, the advocate will be able to receive case information and documentation from your case record.
  • If you no longer wish to be part of the HASA program, you must notify your Caseworker either in person or by telephone. In order to document your request you will be asked to complete a Statement of Non-Participation form.
  • Caseworkers are assigned cases based on a rotation system. However, clients may be permitted to change their assigned Caseworker upon request, with good cause, at the discretion of the Center Director or HASA administration.
  • Please note that as of April 30, 2015, New York State Common Benefit Identification Cards (CBICs) no longer include a gender marker.
  • In order to change your gender in your Medicaid account and/or your case record you must provide us with one of the following documents confirming your new gender:
    • New Birth Certificate
    • US Passport
    • New York State ID or Driver’s License
    • Letter from The Social Security Office
    • Doctor’s letter (must contain specific language)
  • The most important step is gathering the documentation. Once we have the necessary documentation, we will be able to make the requested change.
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  • Frequency of home visits are based upon client’s individual needs and the type of housing the client resides in. Below are the minimal requirements for home visits. Additional visits may be scheduled as needed:
    • If client lives in Emergency Housing, Hospital, Skilled Nursing or other Health Related Facility, or if there is a child under 18 years old living with the client, Caseworker is required to make a home visit every month.
    • If client lives in a private house or apartment, Caseworker will visit every other month.
    • If client lives in Supportive Housing, provided by a program which includes case management services, Caseworker is required to make a home visits every three months.
  • Local law requires that HASA clients are provided with intensive case management and are maintained in medically-appropriate housing. Home visits are necessary to ensure that HASA clients and their families are provided with the benefits and services required to maintain their health and safety and that they are appropriately housed.
  • If you are not going to be home for your scheduled home visit, you should notify your Caseworker to reschedule. Not keeping scheduled home visits may have a negative effect on your case.
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  • Emergency Housing: Newly accepted HASA clients who are homeless can request same-day housing placement at Service Line, located at 400 8th Avenue in Manhattan. Other clients who find themselves in need of emergency housing can visit their Caseworkers to request a same-day placement. Emergency housing is provided on a temporary basis. Depending on family size and availability of units, emergency housing placements will be in Transitional Supportive Housing, Commercial Single Room Occupancy (SRO units) or Family Emergency Apartments.
    • Transitional Supportive Housing: Transitional housing units provide short-term stays for single adults only. Fully furnished private rooms are provided with private or shared bathrooms, lounges, meals in common dining areas and recreational facilities. On site case management staff provide access to substance use and mental health counseling, as well as assistance in locating permanent housing. Other supportive services may also be provided.
    • Commercial SROs: Commercial SRO units offer short-term stays for single adults and couples. SRO units are furnished private rooms with private or shared bathrooms.
    • Family Emergency Housing: Families are placed in furnished private apartments.
  • Non-Emergency Supportive Housing: Supportive housing is available for clients who require assistance with barriers that make it difficult for them to live independently in the community. Some models of supportive housing also require a history of homelessness. After completing an application, the client will be interviewed by a member of Comprehensive Health Assessment Team (CHAT). Thereafter, HASA Caseworkers and housing specialists assist eligible clients to identify which type of housing is right for their individual or family needs. Clients will be placed based on family composition, their individual needs and availability.
    • Congregate Residences: Congregate Supportive Housing offers a variety of furnished housing models for individuals and families, all under one roof. Intensive on-site social services are available.
    • Scatter-Site Housing: Scatter Site housing programs offer apartments that are leased in the name of the housing provider. The apartments may be scattered throughout a particular borough or throughout the city. These programs include specialized supportive services for single adults and families.
  • Private Market Apartment: HASA will provide rental assistance for eligible clients who wish to live in a private market apartment in the community. Clients must conduct their own apartment search. Caseworkers can provide a list of apartment brokers who have assisted HASA clients in the past. However, we cannot guarantee that these brokers will have apartments available at any given time. Please see the FAQ section on Benefits for more information on rent guidelines, the 30% rent cap, and more.
This Financial Assistance Calculator should be used for preliminary screening purposes only. The laws, regulations, rules and policies that the calculator is based on are subject to change at any time. HRA makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy of the projected results. Final decisions on eligibility can only be made by the appropriate HRA staff. Please see a HASA case manager for more information or call ServiceLine at (212) 971-0626 if you are a new applicant.
This Financial Assistance Calculator should only be used by individuals who meet each of the following three criteria:
  • Living in a single person household
  • Have tested positive for HIV
  • Is not currently living in HASA housing, including Emergency Placement Units, Congregate or Scatter-site Supported Housing Units.
Financial Assistance Calculator
Please enter your gross income(s):

Income Type Amount Pay Period
$
$
$
Please enter your monthly rent: $
(If another person pays a portion of your rent or if you are receiving any kind of rental subsidy or assistance, please enter only the amount of rent that you are responsible to pay each month)

⛔ Based upon the income and rent that you entered, you have a budget surplus and thus are not eligible for financial assistance.
Monthly Benefit(s) for which you may be eligible:
Financial Assistance Type Eligibility Amount
Rental Assistance:
Cash Assistance:
(that will appear on your card)
30% Rent Cap Assistance:
Estimated Total Grant:
Earned Income Disregard:
Your Share of the Rent: