By calling HRAs Staff Emergency phone number at (718) 246-7659 you will be given general Agency information. A valuable pro bono role can be performed by lawyers through service as a guardian. Please feel free to call or e-mail me or Paul with any questions. The more extensive information on the Court Terminals should be made available to the public through the Housing Courts website and/or through E-Courts. In fact, the Task Force believes that streamlining the GAL-approval process for private bar attorneys is in the best interests of all stakeholders in the Housing Court process. like this one. The guardian ad litem is an officer of the court whose role is to protect the interests of the ward and report to the court. Clients may attest to all elements of eligibility except Immigration Status and Identity, if immigration document does not also prove identity. If submitting a bill, please provide the name of the provider, the date of the service, and the amount of the bill. The importance of this issue recently came to light in a decision issued by Judge Lewis A. Kaplan of the Southern District of New York. Excess resources cases will be extended for 6 months. Pursuant to the New York State Freedom of Information Law (1977 N.Y. Laws ch. Indoor solicitations include contributions taken in a public space, or the operation of a thrift shop, rummage sale, book sale, bazaar and sale of tickets for fundraising purposes. The citys Department of Aging reports that there are about 930,000 persons over the age of 65 living in the city. Login - Surplus cases will be extended 6 months. [1] HRAs Homebase Homelessness Prevention Program (Homebase), started in 2004 under DHS, is structured as a neighborhood-based homelessness prevention network with 26 locations across the Citys five boroughs. Medicaid clients who have lost their EBT cards and have a change of address, should contact the Medicaid helpline to update their contact information at 888-692-6116 to update their address. This August, the following resolution will be presented to the American Bar Associations House of Delegates for adoption: RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association urges federal, state, and territorial governments to provide legal counsel as a matter of right at public expense to low-income persons in those categories of adversarial proceedings where basic human needs are at stake, such as those involving shelter, sustenance, safety, health or child custody (Emphasis added. In this way, the training program could be distributed to private law firms with a formal certification to be signed by each lawyer wishing to serve as a GAL, attesting that the material has been reviewed by the lawyer in advance of taking on a case. Click here to learn how to apply. A copy of the current subject matter, of all records in possession of the agency;2. She served as a guardian ad litem on behalf of a woman seeking post-eviction relief who had been hospitalized at the time of the court proceedings. New York County Lawyers Association forms should not be placed in the court file unless the file is made a sealed record. During the COVID-19 emergency, Medicaid cases with authorization ending in March 2020 through December 2020 and January 2021 through December 2022 will be automatically extended. Guardians Ad Litem are mandated to complete a, form CIV-LT-57 (2000) for each case where they are the appointed. s should use this form as a way of maintaining a record of their contact with the party to the Housing Court action for which they were appointed, advocacy efforts, and steps taken to follow through with the plan set forth in the stipulation of settlement. This certification could be filed with the Court at the commencement of the service; the Court would then be assured that the private attorney serving as a GAL has been provided with adequate and appropriate GAL training before undertaking the pro bono representation. HRA's Medical Assistance Program can help New Yorkers who qualify enroll in public health insurance programs like Medicaid. *DSS is comprised of the NYC Human Resources Administration and the NYC Department of Homeless Services. Ct Albany Co.); Sarfaty v. Sarfaty, 83 A.D.2d 748, 443 N.Y.S.2d 506 (4th Dept 1981); Barone v. Cox, 51 A.D.2d 115, 379 N.Y.&2d 881 (4th Dept 1976); Glick v. Quintana, Nov. 30, 1992, NYLJ, pg. To that end, it is advised that the Judge should, prior to approving a stipulation recommended by a GAL, ascertain if the GAL has at a minimum: In ascertaining the above a Judge either may require the GAL to submit the GAL Case Summary form( CIV-LT-57-2/2007 ) that GALs are now required to fill out for every case or may query the G AL on the record. If the requested information is provided, coverage will be extended for 6 months. It is the Task Forces understanding that the New York City Housing Court provides computer terminals in the courthouses that attorneys and litigants can access to check on the status of active cases (Court Terminals). Housing Court Judges should ensure that GALS follow the procedures set forth below: These procedures and best practices are in accordance with the CPLR and New York case law and are designed to protect the due process rights of all litigants with diminished capacity in Housing Court. Ct. N.Y. Co.); Hotel Preservation v. Byrne, Mar. Guardians Ad Litem are mandated to complete a GAL Case Summary form CIV-LT-57 (2000) for each case where they are the appointed GAL.GAL s should use this form as a way of maintaining a record of their contact with the party to the Housing Court action for which they were appointed, advocacy efforts, and steps taken to follow through with the plan set forth in the stipulation of settlement. Janet L. Blakeman, a counsel in the personal planning group at Patterson, Belknap, served as a guardian ad litem to a young woman with cerebral palsy living in a rent-controlled apartment. If you have health insurance coverage through your employer, you should keep that insurance and reach out to HRA. Single people and married couples are both covered under this program if both individuals are working and have a disability. Tell an HRA Worker or call us at 718-557-1399. myBenefits Live outside of NYC? MuckRock users can file, duplicate, track, and share public records requests In the event that fees cannot be waived, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. Instructions to Complete the Disabled, Aged, and Blind (DAB) Renewel Notification Form (MAP-2096P), Guide to Complete Your Medicaid Renewel Forms, These forms may be needed for legally responsible relatives or to declare or change an authorized representative, Applicant/Recipient Declaration Concerning LLR Income-Resources (MAP-2161), Medicaid Authorized Representative Designation/Change Request (DOH-5247). Outdoor solicitations include pledges to a walk-a-thon/bike-a-thon, or door-to-door canvassing with a kit. Given the great strides the Housing Court has made in providing the above resources and assistance to pro se litigants, the Resources Subcommittee focused on other types of resources that would also improve access to justice for Housing Court litigants. (See Appendix C.). 37 A.D.2d 480, 326 N.Y.S.2d 458 (4th Dept 1971); Sept. 7, 1993, NYLJ, pg. Conferees examined the Courts role in responding not only to the legal questions that come before it, such as housing conditions, holdovers and non-payment of rent, but also to the myriad social and financial problems that underlie many Housing Court casesproblems that if unaddressed can and do lead to homelessness. If you are serving an out-of-state subpoena, please ensure that service is made an accordance with NY CPLR 3119. Marcy S. Friedman, to work towards the implementation of some of the reforms recommended at the Conference. Read the DSS COVID-19 Return to Office Plan 2021. Justice Fern Fisher advised that the Court and individual Judges already had extensive online access to information maintained by HPD and DOB through their websites. Information About Parents or Spouses Not Living in the Household (MAP-2097V): If you are unable to submit payment because of health issues related to COVID-19, such as quarantine or hospitalization, you can attest that you either have the money or the bills to satisfy your surplus and are unable to submit them due to COVID-19 by calling the Surplus Hotline at 929-221-0835. citizens, whether rich, poor, or something in between. NYCLA subsequently created the NYCLA Task Force on the Housing Court (hereinafter Task Force), co-chaired by Professor Paula Galowitz and Hon. Dedicated Homebase staff across the five boroughs are available to evaluate households' specific needs, offering a variety of services to help New Yorkers achieve housing stability, including: Services to prevent eviction Assistance obtaining public benefits Emergency rental assistance Education and job placement assistance Jacqueline M. Brandner, a litigator at Patterson, Belknap, served as a guardian ad litem to a 47-year-old man who, for 23 years, had lived in a very small room in an SRO. Justice Fisher advised the Task Force of the need to double the current pool of certified GALs from 100 to 200 individuals. After the Conference, NYCLA issued a Report (available on the NYCLA website at http://www.nycla.org/siteFiles/Publications/Publicationsl95__0.pdf), which contained recommendations and proposals for reform, including establishment of a right to counsel in Housing Court for parties unable to afford counsel, as a means to reduce homelessness in New York City; improved resources, especially for litigants of diminished capacity; and establishment of Protocols and Best Practices (or standards) for more active oversight by judges of cases in which a pro se party is opposed by a represented party. In order to encourage private law firm involvement and to streamline the GAL certification process, the Housing Court under Justice Fishers leadership is developing an abbreviated training program and video for, private attorneys who work with legal services providers and serve as GALs. The New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) sells data about eviction cases brought in the New York City Housing Court to Tenant Screening Bureaus (TSB), which use the data to prepare tenant-screening reports that they sell to prospective landlords who want to determine if an applicant was sued by a prior landlord. However, for the old subject matter list there is a charge of $72.75, based on a photocopying fee of twenty-five cents (0.25) per page x 291 pages. Index Number: ________________________________, Case Name: ___________________________v.__________________________, GAL Contact Information: Name:_____________________________, Income and savings (Social Security, SSI, public assistance, etc. The New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) sells data about eviction cases brought in the New York City Housing Court to Tenant Screening Bureaus (TSB), which use the data to prepare tenant-screening reports that they sell to prospective landlords who want to determine if an applicant was sued by a prior landlord. The Commission recognizes the importance of community engagement and the voices, the opinions, and the participation of those with lived experiences as well as collaboration with representatives from community-based organizations, service providers, and government agencies. DSS is comprised of the administrative units of HRA and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). These guides help you fill out your Medicaid Renewal and give examples of documents you can use to give proof of information we need to decide on help for you. In light of the potential volume of filings, any exploration of electronic filing using a private vendor should include a discussion concerning providing access free of charge to individuals without the economic means to pay for the service. form or may query the GAL on the record. Her ward was a Vietnam veteran, now in his sixties. V.K., Mar, 3, 1999, NYLJ, pg. Task Force members expressed concern about the efficiency of APS in connection with GALs. Ms. Brown and the MFY lawyer divided tasks, with Ms. Brown working with the treating psychiatrist; with social workers to provide post-hospitalization community support services; and with the womans family. This Report addresses the work of the Resources Subcommittee, which was chaired by Lisa E. Cleary with Justin Kaufman serving as secretary. The landlord commenced a nonpayment action against Ms. G, alleging that she owed $2,500 in rent. See below for information regarding coverage for Surplus cases. 12, 1999, NYU, pg 26 at 1 (AT 1st Dept. Health Benefit Plan Evidence of Coverage for All Plans [PDF] Locate Network Doctors and Hospitals on BCBST; Pharmacy Vendor; Your Rights and Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills [PDF] Life Insurance. This application must be completed and returned by mail, In-person at the new address below, by email at BurialServices@hra.nyc.gov, or by fax at (917) 639-0476. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires. The Agency's Records Access Officer is responsible for ensuring the appropriate agency response to public requests for access to records.Persons seeking access to records maintained by the Human Resources Administration pursuant to the FOIL are advised to contact:Records Access OfficerOffice of Legal AffairsHuman Resources Administration180 Water Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10038In addition, I am attaching a copy of HRA's procedure for governing public access to records and documents as well as two HRA program guidelines concerning FOIL compliance. Failure to vacate the default judgement maybe reversible error. The HPD website includes information with respect to the size of a building (e.g., the number of Class A and Class B units and the number of stories), the nature and number of current violations placed against the building, the emergency repair charges owing on the building, the names and addresses of the registered owner and registered managing agent, and the violation history. Please also provide the relevant time period for the requested records, and the particular benefit type associated with the requested records. Fax Number. Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. Contact HRA - HRA Contact Phone Numbers General: Infoline 718-557-1399 Adult Protective Services: 212-630-1853 Child Support Helpline: 888-208-4485 Disability Affairs: 718-291-4141 Clients will be given an opportunity to submit the documents later. Consumer/Provider Request to CHange Informaiton on File (MAP-751W). She lives on the Social Security payments she receives each month. Jonathan Haragold Principal. Some elderly New Yorkers find it difficult to manage their own affairs. As noted above, limited internet access is currently available to pro se litigants who have cases pending in the Civil Court of the City of New York, including Housing Court. Although some reports are available to Housing Court Judges upon request, it often takes an inordinate amount of time to receive such reports. The Task Force encourages the Housing Court to continue these efforts by producing a shortened version of the Court-required GAL training, in print and on video/DVD. E-mail Address. for my son. Records are made available through the Agency's Records Access Officer. Yes No. About HRA. Gary P. Jenkins was appointed by Mayor Eric Adams as the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Social Services (DSS), which oversees both the Human Resources Although GALs do not represent litigants as attorneys, attorneys serving as GALs use their legal training, acumen and advocacy skills in ways that fall within the New York City Bars definition of pro bono pursuant to its Statement of Pro Bono Principles, The Civil Courts list of persons who are certified to serve as GALs contains only a limited number of candidates, most of whom accept the $600 fee. Although GALs do not represent litigants as attorneys, attorneys serving as GALs use their legal training, acumen and advocacy skills in ways that fall within the New York City Bars definition of, Principles, The Civil Courts list of persons who are certified to serve as GALs contains only a limited number of candidates, most of whom accept the $600 fee. Other documents may be used, even if not on the list. The HRA staff notification line is available to keep you updated during citywide emergency situations. Pro Bono Programs HRA is dedicated to alleviating poverty and income inequality through the implementation of initiatives such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Child Support Services, Adult Protective Services, Emergency Rental Assistance, Career Services, Cash Assistance, and much more. To shorthand it, as U.S. District Court Judge Robert Sweet said in a 1997 speech delivered at the Association of the Ear of the City of New York, we need a Civil Gideon, that is, an expanded constitutional right to counsel in civil.matters, Lawyers, and lawyers for all, are essential to the functioning of an effective justice system.. For Lisa E. Cleary, a litigator and partner at Patterson, Belknap, being a guardian ad litem was a life-transforming event. However, Mr. Rosenblatt suggested that Acting General Counsel David Cabrera might consider entering into an MOU with the Office of Court Administration (OCA) if OCA requested access to DHCRs rent registration information in a letter that clearly defined the nature of the access that OCA was seeking. For those members of the Task Force who are also members of the judiciary or employed by government agencies or other organizations, their participation in this project should not be understood as constituting any official endorsement of the conclusions or recommendations in the report. The landlord also paid him damages, a portion of which he used to purchase a new bed. Ms. Brown described both herself and the MFY lawyer as being tenacious on behalf of the tenant, and described her wards mother as wonderful, and her brother as a complete solid citizen. Ms. Brown and the womans family were present to welcome her to her new apartment. Please be advised that pursuant to CPLR 1201 and 1203, if it appears that a respondent is incapable of adequately defending against a proceeding, the court should appoint a guardian ad litem and any default judgment entered prior to the appointment in most instances should be vacated. Clients can also use the MAP-751K form below to make this change and fax it to 917-639-0837. Taken all steps to get the ward to come to court or to locate the ward if the ward is missing. Tenants who have been sued by a prior landlord report finding themselves blacklisted from renting another apartment, regardless of whether the case was meritorious or whether the tenant was justified in withholding rent. 2015 All Rights Reserved, NYC is a trademark and service mark of the City of New York, Human Resources Administration / Department of Social Services, DSS Office of the First Deputy Commissioner, HRA Office of Employment & Support Services Administration, DSS Offices of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Equal Employment Opportunity, HRA Office of Homelessness Prevention Administration (HPA), DSS Office of Program Performance & Financial Management, DSS Office of Information Technology Services. The landlord also paid him damages, a portion of which he used to purchase a new bed. Here are examples of actual cases undertaken by lawyers on a pro bono basis through service as a guardian ad litem. Learn how you can get covered. Representation by counsel is especially critical in preserving the due process rights of litigants with diminished capacity. Or click on a Ms. G is an 80-year-old woman living in a one bedroom apartment in the West Village. ), Guardians ad litem are appointed by Housing Court judges for litigants with diminished capacity. You can also find fact sheets and brochures to better understand your health insurance and coverage options under ACA. Single Site/Congregate Supportive Housing: Although there was substantial consensus on many of the recommendations, individual members of the Task Force may have views that differ from those presented in this report. HRA should participate in Guardian Ad Litem training programs. The responsibility for insuring that a stipulation settling the case of a person for whom a GAL has been appointed is appropriate rests ultimately with the Judge who so orders the stipulation. It is the Task Forces understanding that electronic filing has been made available in Small Claims Court by use of a private vendor that charges a fee for creating electronic files that are reviewed and uploaded by Court staff. The Court should explore the possibility of exporting data on a periodic basis (daily, weekly or monthly) from OCA to the Housing Court, which would permit Housing Court staff to run reports and supply them to the Judges in a more expeditious manner.