Governor Hochul Announces Expanded Assistance for Income-Eligible Medicare Beneficiaries

 

Access to Newly Expanded Medicare Savings Program Benefits to Save Beneficiaries an Estimated Average of $7,000 Annually Starting In 2023

Objective Statewide Health Insurance Counseling Program Available to Help and Screen Beneficiaries During Medicare's Open Enrollment Between Now and December 7

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that more New Yorkers will be eligible for additional financial assistance in 2023 through the newly expanded Medicare Savings Program. Adopted through the FY 2023 State Budget, the increased income-eligibility limits will help older adults and individuals with disabilities pay for health care costs, which is estimated to save them an average of $7,000 annually.

"We have an obligation to help older adults and individuals with disabilities to age within their community with dignity," Governor Hochul said. "By expanding eligibility for the Medicare Savings Program, we can ensure that a greater number of these New Yorkers aren't burdened by the cost of healthcare. I encourage all eligible beneficiaries to apply for this program so they can save money and improve their health care coverage."

Starting in January, the monthly income eligibility limits for the Medicare Savings Program will increase to an estimated $2,107 for an individual and $2,839 for a couple, based on the 2022 federal poverty level. New Yorkers can apply for this program throughout the year and during open enrollment, which started earlier this month and continues through December 7.

The expanded assistance goes into effect in 2023, but all beneficiaries should check to see if they are eligible under the new guidelines. Official income limits will be updated after the new federal poverty level goes into effect next year. Estimates indicate these benefits could save enrollees an average of over $7,000 annually based on the cost of the monthly premium and value of the Extra Help benefit, the federal Part D prescription drug subsidy program.

The Medicare Savings Program helps older adults and people with disabilities living on limited incomes by paying their Medicare Part B premiums - about $170 per month this year and $165 per month starting in 2023 - and automatically enrolls them in Extra Help. This financial assistance can be a lifeline for enrollees, allowing them to maintain their Medicare coverage, access needed care, and afford other necessities like food and rent.

Help is also available in every county through the statewide Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program, which is administered by the New York State Office for the Aging. This program offers free and objective counseling for Medicare beneficiaries needing assistance applying for the Medicare Assistance Program or any other Medicare-related question now that the federal Medicare open enrollment period is in effect.

A local counselor can be reached by calling the statewide helpline at 1-800-701-0501. Information about applying for this program can also be found online.

New York State Office for the Aging Acting Director Greg Olsen said, "Along with our provider network last year, we assisted more than 16,000 beneficiaries with their application for Medicare Savings and other income-eligible programs, which helped to save them more than $48 million in Medicare and prescription costs. Thanks to Governor Hochul's commitment to helping older adults and individuals with disabilities, we are ready to provide even more support for New Yorkers struggling with healthcare costs and other expenses."

Medicare Rights Center President Fred Riccardi said, "Starting in 2023, this historic change will help nearly 300,000 more New Yorkers access the vital benefits they need and help with the costs of daily living. It will directly increase an eligible person's social security income by paying the full cost of the Medicare Part B premium. Medicare fall open enrollment is the time that people with Medicare can make unrestricted changes to their coverage options and we encourage everyone to be screened for the Medicare Savings Program and apply when eligible."

STATEMENT ON RESIGNATION OF ERIC ULRICH AS DOB COMMISSIONER

 

The following is a statement from Fabien Levy, press secretary to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, on the resignation of New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) Commissioner Eric Ulrich:

 

“This morning, Eric Ulrich tendered his resignation as DOB commissioner in an effort to, in his words, avoid ‘unnecessary distraction for the Adams administration.’ We have accepted his resignation, appreciate him taking this step, and wish him well. We have no further knowledge of any investigation and, out of respect for his and his family’s privacy, have nothing further to add.”

 

“DOB First Deputy Commissioner Kazimir Vilenchik, P.E. will serve as acting commissioner. We have full confidence in the team at DOB, and the agency remains fully operational. No city services will be impacted.”

 

Permits Filed For 261 Walton Avenue In Mott Haven, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a 13-story mixed-use building with affordable housing at 261 Walton Avenue in Mott Haven, The Bronx. Located between East 138th Street and East 140th Street, the lot is near the 138 Street-Grand Concourse subway station, serviced by the 4 and 5 trains. Joshua Weissman of JCAL Development is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 142-foot-tall development will yield 181,092 square feet, with 161,974 square feet designated for residential space and 19,118 square feet for commercial space. The building will have 195 residences, with an average unit scope of 830 square feet. There will be 65 market-rate residences, with the remaining designated as inclusionary housing. The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar.

Dattner Architects is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits were filed in September for the six-story building on the site. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Developers, City Officials Celebrate Grand Opening Of 425 Grand Concourse In Mott Haven, The Bronx

 

Developers, New York City officials, and community leaders recently joined to celebrate the grand opening of 425 Grand Concourse, a 26-story affordable housing property in Mott Haven, The Bronx. Designed by Dattner Architects and developed by Trinity Financial and local non-profit group MBD Community Housing Corporation, the 300,000-square-foot structure will yield 277 affordable apartments, an educational facility, a health clinic, a supermarket, and a community cultural space.

The project ranks among the largest Passive House buildings in New York City. Energy-efficient components include above-code insulation to improve temperature control throughout the year and high-efficiency ventilation, heating, and cooling systems. The ventilation systems help minimize airborne pollutants and circulate fresh air. The Passive House design also minimizes noise transmission outside the building, reduces utility costs, and helps enhance the daily life and health of occupants.

“425 Grand Concourse offers a roadmap for how developers can use Passive House design strategies and other energy efficiency tools to make affordable housing sustainable, more resilient, and to the greatest benefit of residents and the local community,” said Christoph Stump, vice president of design and construction at Trinity Financial. “Carbon neutrality and the long-term health of our cities depends on making our housing infrastructure as energy efficient as possible and eliminating on-site fossil fuel use, and we are hopeful that more and more developers will create such well-designed and highly efficient projects like 425 Grand Concourse.”

Available units range from studios up to three-bedroom floor plans and are designated for households earning between 30 and 130 percent area median income (AMI). A small portion of units are also reserved for formerly homeless individuals.

Tenant amenities include a third-floor gym and resident terrace with light landscaping and recycled plastic seating, a package room on the ground floor, shared laundry facilities on every level, multiple lounge and event spaces, and a 25th-floor terrace offering views of Manhattan and the surrounding neighborhood.

“Our administration is focused on creating affordable housing for New Yorkers that doesn’t just help those who move in but enhances the entire community, and 425 Grand Concourse does exactly that,” said New York City mayor Eric Adams. “Not only will this project create nearly 300 new affordable homes for Bronxites but it will also improve the environment locally as New York City’s largest Passive House-certified building, create economic opportunity for CUNY students through Hostos Community College, and ensure fresh food is accessible to members of the community with a supermarket.”

Hostos Community College, a branch of the nationally recognized CUNY Accelerated Study in Associate Programs program, will occupy 29,000 square feet. Known as CUNY ASAP, the program helps low-income students earn an associate degree and supplements the cost of tuition, textbooks, and lab materials.

In an effort to reduce hospitalizations among low-income community residents, Damian Family Care Centers, a federally qualified health center (FQHC), will open a Mott Haven Family Health Center on the building’s ground floor. Services will include long-term primary and dental care with no insurance requirement.

“This building has given me and my daughter Isabella a chance to have a fresh start,” said Chastity, a resident of 425 Grand Concourse. “When I first arrived here, I was stunned. I couldn’t even speak. 425 Grand Concourse is a big step in revitalizing our Bronx community, and it’s helping many other families who have come from extreme adversities like me.”

Total construction costs hovered around $178 million. TD Bank is both the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and conventional equity investor. Redstone Equity Partners syndicated the tax credits, which were allocated by the city’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). JP Morgan Chase is the participating construction lender. New York City’s Housing Development Corporation (HDC) issued the tax-exempt bonds. HPD and HDC both provided subsidies.

The Bronx borough president’s office and the New York City Council supported the project with RESO A funds. In addition to $750,000 awarded through the Buildings of Excellence Competition, NYSERDA supported the project through its Multifamily New Construction Program with nearly $214,000 in funding.

“425 Grand Concourse is a prime example of the revitalization we are seeing in our borough,” said Bronx borough president Vanessa L. Gibson. “Not only will this building provide 277 units of affordable housing, but tenants will also get to enjoy a fitness room, community space, and other amenities in the largest passive house building in the nation. More energy-efficient buildings will help to achieve our energy goals while also ensuring residents living there will spend less of their income on energy costs. This level of quality affordable housing should be a standard.”

Housing Lottery Launches For 1686 Weeks Avenue In Claremont, The Bronx

 

The affordable housing lottery has launched for 1686 Weeks Avenue, a six-story residential building in Claremont, The Bronx. Designed by ADB Associates and developed by Israel Frankel of Isra Holdings, the structure yields 25 residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are five units for residents at 130 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $75,360 to $156,130.

Amenities include hardwood floors, outdoor space, and name-brand kitchen appliances, countertops, and finishes. Tenants are responsible for electricity.

At 130 percent of the AMI, there is one studio with a monthly rent of $2,198 for incomes ranging from $75,360 to $138,840 and four one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,310 for incomes ranging from $79,200 to $156,130.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than November 17, 2022.

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES PLACEMENT OF HUMANITARIAN EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND RELIEF CENTER TO ASSIST SINGLE WOMEN AND ADULT FAMILY ASYLUM SEEKERS

 

Third Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center to Be Located at Midtown Hotel

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the city will soon open a Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center that will serve asylum seekers arriving in New York City. As the estimated number of asylum seekers in New York City surpasses at least 22,600, this specific humanitarian relief center will assist newly arriving single adult women and adult families and provide them with a range of services, in addition to ensuring they can reach their desired destination, if not New York City. This humanitarian relief center will be located at the Hotel Wolcott in midtown Manhattan and will include 175 rooms to serve asylum seekers. 

 

Humanitarian relief centers will become the first touch point for arriving asylum seekers, helping people by immediately offering shelter, food, medical care, case work services, and a range of settlement options. 

 

“While the number of asylum seekers have slowed in recent weeks, we are still seeing a steady stream of single adult women and adult families arriving in New York City in need of assistance. The city’s third Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center will soon open to provide these populations access to a multitude of supports and resources,” said Mayor Adams. Our teams will continue to work with these families and assess if they want to actually stay in New York City and, if not, help them get to their desired destinations. As we continue to provide support to the more than 16,800 people in our care, we continue to work with federal and state partners to seek financial assistance as we deal with this unprecedented humanitarian crisis.” 

 

“The city needs to continue to be prepared to meet the ongoing humanitarian crisis,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “This new humanitarian relief center gives us another tool in that effort and is a place where we can support and welcome our newest neighbors and connect them to the resources they need. Thank you to our interagency and nongovernmental partners for making this possible." 

 

“The goal here is to assist people as soon as they arrive here, and make sure that assistance is tailored to their specific needs and circumstances,” said Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks III. “Just as this crisis is ever-changing, so is the city’s response, and we will continue to find practical, adaptive solutions to address these challenges.” 

 

“The strength and history of our city is largely a story of immigrants,” said New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. “As people seeking asylum continue to arrive at our doorstep, we remain steadfast in supporting them as they build new lives and become part of our city’s rich mosaic. By opening this third Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center for single women and adult families, we are providing a helping hand to those in search of not just a better future and opportunities, but also kindness, compassion, and empathy. We are proud of New York City, its agencies, and our partner community-based organizations as we continue to lead by example with our response to this humanitarian crisis.” 

 

“In New York City, asylum seekers will continue to be greeted with the compassionate care and dedicated support needed to meet them where they are and help them get where they want to go,” said Ted Long, MD, MHS, senior vice president, Ambulatory Care and Population Health, NYC Health + Hospitals. “Our third Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center will address the unique needs of adult families and single adult women seeking asylum, providing a comfortable place to stay, meals, medical care, mental health support, language access, technology, and resettlement services to help them complete their journey. I am proud to work in the Adams administration as we ensure New York City remains a beacon of opportunity for those seeking a better life in our country.” 

 

Since this humanitarian crisis began, the city has — largely on its own — taken fast and urgent action, managing the arrival of a rapidly increasing number of buses across New York City with virtually no coordination from states sending them — opening 57 hotels as emergency shelters, standing up a navigation center to connect asylum seekers with critical resources, enrolling children in public schools through Project Open Arms, and more.  

​ 

Owner and Employees of the Sayville Motor Lodge Indicted for Sex Trafficking and Managing a Drug Premises

 

Defendants Conspired to Traffic Women, Including a Minor

 An indictment was unsealed in federal court in Central Islip charging Narendarakuma Dadarwala, his wife Shardaben Dadarwala, their son Jigar Dadarwala, Ashokbhai Patel, and Himanshu, Inc. d/b/a Sayville Motor Lodge with sex trafficking conspiracy.  The Dadarwalas, Patel, and Himanshu, Inc. are also charged with managing a drug premises, and Narendarakuma Dadarwala is charged with distribution of proceeds of prostitution and narcotics businesses.  Patel was arrested in Nebraska and will be arraigned in the Eastern District of New York at a later date.  The other defendants were arrested and will be arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Lee G. Dunst. A fifth co-conspirator remains at large.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), Rodney K. Harrison, Commissioner, Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), and Raymond A. Tierney, Suffolk County District Attorney, announced the indictment and arrests.

“As alleged, the defendants made the Sayville Motor Lodge a money-making refuge for prostitution and narcotics trafficking, and a blight on the surrounding community,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “With these arrests, we send a clear message that our Office will prosecute those who use motels or any other venue as their base of operations for trafficking human beings and drugs.”

Mr. Peace also thanked the United States Marshal Service, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, United States Customs and Border Protection, and Homeland Security Investigations for their assistance.

“We allege the owner and employees of the Sayville Motor Lodge looked the other way when pimps trafficked human beings in their hotel. More egregiously, we allege they took money from those pimps and drug dealers, who beat and abused the women involved in front of them. Other hotel owners who operate in a similar fashion should take heed, we will hold them accountable for their actions in allowing sex trafficking to take place in their establishments. We're asking anyone who is a victim of human trafficking, or believes they know of someone who is, to call us at 1-800-CALL-FBI," stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll.

 “From the outside, the Sayville Motor Lodge appeared to be a typical roadside motel, but in reality, there was far more than just overnight stays occurring there,” stated SCPD Commissioner Harrison.  “The owners and employees facilitated sex trafficking and drug sales for financial gain at the expense of women, including a minor. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to stop those who exploit victims of human trafficking and will continue to help these victims receive the services they need to get their lives back on track.”

“These defendants are alleged to have not only knowingly allowed criminal behavior to run rampant at the Motor Inn for years, they also financially benefited from these same illegal activities directly through kickbacks," stated District Attorney Tierney. "Thanks to our partnership with U.S. Attorney Breon Peace and the Suffolk County Police Department, this blight on the community will no longer be open for illicit business.”

As set forth in court filings, the Dadarwalas have owned and operated the Sayville Motor Lodge since approximately 1984.  They reside and work at the motel.  From 2017 to 2019, Ashokai Patel was employed and also lived there.  The Dadarwalas and Patel facilitated the criminal activity at the Sayville Motor Lodge and profited from the prostitution and narcotics activity that routinely took place there.  Specifically, the Dadarwalas and Patel conspired with traffickers.  They exercised control over room rentals and booked dates and set room rates for commercial sex.  They were aware that women engaged in prostitution, including at least one minor trafficking victim.  They warned traffickers and women engaged in prostitution when law enforcement was on the premises and observed traffickers inflict physical violence on their victims and customers. They also financially benefited from the commercial sex activity at the Sayville Motor Lodge.  The traffickers, sex workers, and drug dealers at the Sayville Motor Lodge frequently interacted with the staff and called Narendarakuma Dadarwala “Dad” and “Pa” and Shardaben Dadarwala “Mom” and “Ma.”

From approximately 2014 until 2018, an unapprehended co-conspirator allegedly operated his sex trafficking business out of the Sayville Motor Lodge, in coordination with the Dadarwalas and Patel.  The co-conspirator trafficked several women out of the motel, including a minor, and routinely subjected the women who worked for him to physical violence.  In furtherance of his operation, the co-conspirator kept the women who worked for him addicted to drugs and introduced them to prostitution in exchange for drugs, posted ads on the internet and set rates for commercial sex acts, confiscated proceeds from prostitution, and mentally and physically abused the women and minors who worked for him.

In addition, from 2014 to the present, the Dadarwalas, Patel, and Himanshu, Inc. profited from the narcotics trafficking that was conducted openly on Sayville Motor Lodge property.  The defendants allowed customers to freely use drugs, including heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine, in plain view and in motel rooms.  Much like the traffickers, drug dealers paid the Sayville defendants for the privilege of selling drugs at the Sayville Motor Lodge.  Narendarakuma Dadarwala wired funds from the rental of rooms for prostitution and narcotics trafficking to his son and Patel.

Further, as set forth in the indictment, the government is seeking to forfeit the Sayville Motor Lodge.  To ensure the property is preserved for forfeiture, the United States has obtained an order restraining the defendants from transferring, encumbering or operating the Sayville Motor Lodge in violation of law.

If convicted, the defendants each face a minimum of 15 years’ imprisonment and a maximum of life imprisonment on the sex trafficking charge.  Jigar Dadarwala, Narendarakuma Dadarwala, Shardaben Dadarwala and Ashokai Patel face up to 20 years for the managing a drug premises charge; and Narendarakuma Dadarwala faces up to 5 years on distribution of proceeds of prostitution and narcotics businesses charge.

The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

If you were a victim, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Attorney General James Sues Fraudulent Brooklyn Property Owner for Cheating Immigrant Families

New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against Xi Hui “Steven” Wu, his ex-wife Xiao Rong Yang, and his companies TCJ Construction Inc. (TCJ Construction) and 345 Ovington LLC for taking advantage of at least 20 Chinese immigrants and their families by illegally selling them non-existent condominiums in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn and collecting fraudulent monthly “mortgage” payments and building fees totaling more than $5 million. Wu never provided the purchasers with deeds to the condos they bought from his company and used their deposits and monthly payments for his own personal expenses, rather than holding the funds in segregated escrow accounts as required by law. In the lawsuit filed today, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) seeks to recover all the money stolen from the families and permanently ban Wu, Yang, and his companies from conducting real estate business in New York state.

“Steven Wu took advantage of hardworking immigrants and sold them and their families a lie,” said Attorney General James. “He earned their trust as a pillar of the community only to exploit it and steal their life’s savings. These families were cheated out of their livelihoods, so we’re taking action to ensure they get their money back.”

In January 2013, Wu submitted an offering plan to OAG for a new construction 25-unit condo building at 345 Ovington Avenue in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. The offering plan and subsequent effectiveness amendment were filed with OAG at the time, but Wu never filed the necessary paperwork with the New York City Department of Finance (DOF) to make the building a condo. As a result, DOF never subdivided the building into separate tax lots, and no separate deeds were created to transfer individual condo units to purchasers.

Though he could not legally transfer the titles to individual condo units in the building, Wu nevertheless proceeded to “sell” condo units to at least 20 immigrant families in the community who subsequently moved into the property. These purchasers knew and trusted Wu because of his role as a wealthy developer in the neighborhood, and in lieu of formal contracts, many signed just single-page agreements prepared in Chinese before paying Wu for what they believed to be a home of their own. In reality, there were no homes to sell, and the families paid Wu in exchange for nothing. Many residents of 345 Ovington Avenue believed they were condo unit owners, but Wu never legally transferred a title to a unit to any purchaser. He couldn’t have, because a legal condo was never created.

In addition to collecting down payments — and in some cases, full payments — from the families, Wu also collected monthly residential mortgage payments from many of the residents who did not pay for their units in full. Nearly all of the residents were also making monthly payments to Wu, which they believed to be monthly condominium common charges. However, because no condominium actually existed, these payments were essentially direct payments to Wu. 

Over the years, Wu cheated at least 20 families out of their life’s savings, totaling more than $5 million, none of which went to purchasing their units. Instead, Wu used the money for other expenses, including payments on loans against the building and building construction.

Wu has repeatedly lied and fabricated documents in an effort to avoid enforcement. For example, when OAG questioned the legitimacy of the purchase agreements used to declare the offering plan effective, Wu submitted the single-page “purchase agreements” and documentation of individual escrow accounts, each holding a $5,000 deposit purportedly paid by the purchasers, as proof of the validity of the sales. However, OAG has since uncovered that Wu personally funded those escrow accounts to represent the deposits received but kept the purchasers’ additional down payments and never deposited those funds into escrow accounts as required by law. 

The OAG’s investigation revealed Wu’s ex-wife Xiao Rong Yang was closely involved in executing Wu’s scheme, and their deception continues to this day, violating OAG regulations, the Martin Act, Rent Stabilization laws, and New York State Executive Law. Shimon Avrahami, Yechiel Shimon Sprei, and John Does #1 to #10 are named as relief defendants in the lawsuit, as they may have a financial interest in 345 Ovington but are not accused of wrongdoing.

With this lawsuit filed today, OAG aims to compel full disgorgement of all stolen and illegally obtained funds to be returned to the families Wu cheated, and to permanently bar Wu, Yang, and all defendants from offering or selling real estate in New York.

Recently, Wu’s lender, from which he borrowed $5.8 million to develop the building, began foreclosure proceedings and residents were faced with possible eviction. A group of the purchasers Wu stole from then forced 345 Ovington LLC into Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the Eastern District of New York, which paused the foreclosure. The OAG has appeared in these proceedings. Bankruptcy court may prove to be an opportunity to negotiate with Wu’s creditors to assist the defrauded residents and return the money they lost.