Tuesday, March 24, 2020

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE OFFERS PROGRAMS TO HELP PROPERTY OWNERS WITH HARDSHIPS PAY PROPERTY TAXES




The New York City Department of Finance offers several programs to assist property owners who face hardships making their property tax payments. These include exemption programs to lower the amount of taxes owed, standard payment plan options as well as the new Property Tax and Interest Deferral (PT AID) program, for those who qualify.

“These are unprecedented times for New Yorkers, many of whom now find themselves struggling to make ends meet,” said Department of Finance Commissioner Jacques Jiha. “Through our programs, DOF hopes to ensure we do our part to help those who are struggling have one less burden to deal with as we work toward economic recovery.”

Exemption Programs
The Department of Finance administers several benefits in the form of tax exemptions, abatements, and money-saving programs. Exemptions lower the amount of tax owed by reducing a property’s assessed value. Abatements reduce taxes by applying credits to the amount of taxes owed. Exemptions administered by DOF include the Coop & Condo Abatement for qualifying property owners, as well as a number of programs for seniors, disabled and veterans. More information and application information for those programs can be found here.

Standard Payment Plans
The Department of Finance offers flexible payment plans programs that are personalized to each property owner. Under a payment plan, property owners agree to pay the total amount owed over time instead of paying the full amount all at once. A payment plan will also prevent enforcement from occurring against a property.

DOF offers standard payment plans to owners of all properties. Standard payment plans require a down payment as low as zero dollars and can spread out the repayment of what is owed over a period that can be as long as ten years. While the payment plan is in effect, interest is charged on the outstanding balance and the property owner is required to pay newly occurring property taxes in full.  

Property Tax and Interest Deferral program (PT AID)
Property owners who qualify for the Property Tax and Interest Deferral program can defer their property tax payments, or pay only a small percentage of their income, to ensure they stay in their home. The PT AID program defers property tax payments for a given length of time, depending on each applicant’s situation. Through the program, payment of property taxes can be deferred for a fixed length of time for a temporary hardship, or for a longer period due to a chronic hardship. The amount each property owner can defer paying is limited to a maximum of 25% of the owner equity of a one-, two-, or three-family home, or up to 50% of the equity of a condominium unit. The program is open to one-to three-family home and condominium owners who have fallen behind on their property tax payments.

Below are the three payment plan options:

Extenuating Circumstances Income-Based (ECI) Plan
Homeowners experiencing extenuating circumstances can enter into a payment plan which limits their payments to a maximum 8% of their adjusted gross income while the hardship persists. The Department of Finance defines "extenuating circumstances" as involving the death or serious illness of a property’s owner or immediate family member, loss of income, or enrollment in the Department of Environmental Protection’s Water Debt Assistance Program.

Eligibility criteria:
The property must be a one- to three-unit tax class 1 residential property, or a condominium.
The property must have been the applicant’s primary residence for at least one year.
Applicants must have a federal adjusted gross income (AGI) of $58,399 or less.
Applicants must be able to document an extenuating circumstance such as the death or serious illness of a property’s owner or immediate family member, loss of income, or enrollment in the Department of Environmental Protection’s Water Debt Assistance Program.

Low-Income Senior Plan
Senior homeowners experiencing hardship can fully or partially defer payment of their delinquent and future property taxes for either a fixed or indefinite period of time. Property owners can choose to pay 0% (full deferral), 25%, 50%, or 75% of the delinquent and future property taxes.

Eligibility criteria:
Property owner must be 65 or older.
Property must be a one- to three-unit tax class 1 residential property, or a condominium.
The applicant must have been using the property as their primary residence for at least one year.
Applicants must have a federal adjusted gross income (AGI) of $58,399 or less.

Fixed-Term Income-Based plan
Property owners can enter into a payment plan which limits their payments to a maximum of 8% of their adjusted gross income. The plan may include only the delinquent amount or the delinquent amount plus charges projected to be due over the next year.

Eligibility criteria:
The property must be a one- to three-unit tax class 1 residential property, or a condominium.
The property must have been the applicant’s primary residence for at least one year.
Applicants must have a federal adjusted gross income (AGI) of $58,399 or less.

Applications and more information about property payment plan applications can be found here; information and the application for the PT AID program can be found here. Completed applications and supporting documentation for both standard payment plans and the PT AID program can be emailed to PTAID@finance.nyc.gov or mailed to:

Department of Finance
Payment Plans
59 Maiden Lane, 28th Floor
New York, NY 10038

In addition, the Department of Finance has an online payment plan calculator to help property owners estimate how much they would pay under the various potential terms of each plan. The tool uses applicants’ information about their property and income to help make the estimate.


New York City property taxes are administered by the NYC Department of Finance. Properties with assessed values less than $250,000 are billed quarterly, and the next payment is due on April 1. These property owners are entitled to a grace period allowing them to pay their balance free of interest until April 15. Properties with assessed values more than $250,000 are billed semi-annually and the next payment is due July 1.  More information on property bills and payment dates can be found online. 

Newsletter from Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez




UPDATES ON CORONAVIRUS IN NEW YORK

          The coronavirus has changed life in New York State. There are currently 25,665 cases in the state, of which 14,904 cases have been recorded in New York City (https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/health-and-medicine/coronavirus-blog). According to Governor Cuomo, the peak of the crisis is estimated to be sooner than originally expected. New Yorkers are urged to follow the Department of Health guidelines (https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home) and to take caution around the people most likely to be infected: The elderly and those with preexisting conditions.
          Above all, do not panic. While the disease could be life-threatening, 80% of cases self-resolve and don’t require hospitalizations. We are doing more testing than any other state in the country and New York State has made fighting the spread of the coronavirus its top priority. Governor Cuomo has mandated hospitals increase their beds capacity by 50% and is working to find other facilities that can function as remote hospitals.
          We are here to help. Our Assembly office is working to provide free hand sanitizer for organizations in need and will continue to be a resource for all district residents. Please call 718-409-0109 or contact District80@nyassembly.gov for more information on what we can help you with.

Workforce on Pause
  • In order to stop the spread of the disease and limit exposure to the public, Governor Cuomo announced by an executive order that as of March 22nd, 100% of the state’s non-essential workforce has been ordered to stay home. Please see the New York State website HERE to determine whether or not your job is considered an essential service.
  • This entails that gyms, movie theaters, barbershops, hair salons, tattoo/piercing parlors, bars, restaurants and casinos are closed temporarily, but restaurants and bars can still provide takeout and delivery services. Read more HERE.

Testing in the Bronx
  • The New York State Department of Health has made Drive-thru testing for Covid 19 available in Lehman College. To make an appointment, please contact 1-888-364-3065.
  • The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation has made drive-thru testing available at Jacobi Hospital. To schedule an appointment please contact 311.

Schools and Children
  • Although coronavirus has been least threatening to younger people, they are still capable of transmitting the illness. Most cases of Coronavirus have affected those between 19-40. For this reason New York City Schools have been closed until April 20th and classes will be done remotely from home. Mayor De Blasio announced the closure on March 15th as a way of stopping the spread of the virus to kids who could infect older individuals. The mayor has stressed that the closure could be extended if the outbreak continues
  • Classes will be held online and students will need access to a computer or tablet device. The Department of education is working on properly distributing their equipment to those in need and will provide a device for families in need. Please fill out this survey as soon as possible if you do not have access to a computer (https://coronavirus.schools.nyc/RemoteLearningDevices).
  • For those in need of internet access, Spectrum is offering free wifi and high-speed internet during the crisis to households with K-12 and college students. Please contact 1-844-488-8395 or go to spectrum.com.
  • Although schools are currently shut down, meals will continue to be served at 400 sites across the city. Students can receive up to three meals a day, Monday-Friday from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm. Visit the department of education website to find a location (https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/food/free-meals)
  • Elementary- and intermediate-level state assessments have been suspended for the remainder of this school year (http://www.nysed.gov/news/2020/statement-board-regents-chancellor-betty-rosa-and-interim-state-education-commissioner-2)

Seniors
  • Seniors are the group most affected by Coronavirus and should take the strictest precautions. It is encouraged that seniors limit the amount of time they spend in public and for those who have seniors in their life to be extra cautious about social distancing and washing their hands. This is a tough time for all New Yorker and our seniors should know that there is support out there if they need it.
  • If you are in need of help getting food, contact meals on wheels at https://www.citymeals.org/get-meals

Senior Grab and Go Service will be available at the following centers:
  • RAIN Boston Road, 2424 Boston Rd, Bronx, NY 10467, (718) 547-8827
  • St. Lucy's Church, 833 Mace Avenue, Bronx, NY 10467, (347) 249-2791
  • Sue Ginsberg Senior Center, 975 Waring Ave, Bronx, NY 10467, (718) 881-1758
  • Mosholu Montefiore Neighborhood Senior Center, 3450 Dekalb Ave, Bronx, NY 10467, (718) 798-6601
If you know a senior that is in need of help, please let us know by contacting. You can also contact the New York City Department for the Aging directly at 212-244-6469.

Financial Relief
  • State debt collection on student debt and medical debt will have payments frozen for at least 30 days. Read more HERE.
  • New 90-day mortgage relief period and foreclosures are suspended or postponed for those facing financial hardship because of COVID-19. Read more HERE.
  • There is now a 90-day moratorium on commercial and residential evictions.
  • New state law allows for sick leave and benefits to quarantined/isolated workers. Read more HERE.
  • It also eliminates the one-week waiting period for UI claims arising out of workplace closures due to COVID-19.
  • The deadline for filing your taxes has been moved from April 15 to July 15.
  • NY State of Health is offering a special open enrollment through April 15. Read more HERE.
  • Alternate Side Parking Restrictions will be suspended through Tuesday, March 24. Read more HERE.

NYS Enforcements
New York state has issued temporary rules in light of the Coronavirus:
  • Do not Congregate in Parks, all park events are canceled and no new permits can be submitted until further notice. Playgrounds and indoor facilities are also closed for the remainder of the outbreak. See the State Parks Department website for details and updates.
  • Bus services are free right now and riders are permitted to enter from the back door to practice social distancing and help protect the drivers. Read more HERE.

Price Gouging 
Price Gouging in New York State is ILLEGAL. If seen follow these steps:
  • New Yorkers can now report sudden and unexpected increases in consumer goods such as hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, or other health and sanitation-related products by calling the consumer hotline toll free at 800-697-1220. This line is available seven days a week from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm for consumers.
  • Or File an online complaint form with the Department of State Consumer Protection Division: https://www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection/form/ComplaintForm1.asp 
  • New Yorker’s can also file a complaint with the NY Attorney General’s Office: 

Help Needed
  • 30,000 people have responded to the Governor's call for retired nurses and doctors, medical school students and others to join New York's Coronavirus response effort. We still need more citizens to join this reserve staff. If you are a recently retired medical professional, a therapist, a psychologist or a qualified medical or nursing school student or staff member, we want your help. Enlist here: health.ny.gov/assistance
  • Opportunities to support those affected by this emergency will be shared on this website, including volunteer and donation opportunities.

Legislation Passed by the Assembly
  • We passed legislation for mandatory paid family sick leave. Our bill (A10153, Nolan) make all private and public sector employees eligible for sick leave and wage replacement during a mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine or isolation due to COVID-19. Read more about it here: https://nyassembly.gov/Press/files/20200318a.php
  • The State also allocated $40 million in emergency funding to pay for more masks, PPE equipment, and to train more healthcare workers to better tackle the growing pandemic. The Governor is also working with 28 private labs so that MORE tests are available for New Yorkers who have been in contact with a confirmed COVID19 case and are showing symptoms.

Important Numbers and Links

DISTRICT OFFICE
2018 Williamsbridge Road
Bronx, NY 10461
718-409-0109
Fax: 718-409-0431

Monday, March 23, 2020

EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 202.10: Continuing Temporary Suspension and Modification of Laws Relating to the Disaster Emergency


No. 202.10

E X E C U T I V E  O R D E R

Continuing Temporary Suspension and Modification of Laws Relating to the Disaster Emergency

WHEREAS, on March 7, 2020, I issued Executive Order Number 202, declaring a State disaster emergency for the entire State of New York;

WHEREAS, both travel-related cases and community contact transmission of COVID-19 have been documented in New York State and are expected to be continue;
WHEREAS, ensuring the State of New York has adequate bed capacity, supplies, and providers to treat patients affected with COVID-19, as well as patients afflicted with other maladies, is of critical importance; and
WHEREAS, eliminating any obstacle to the provision of supplies and medical treatment is necessary to ensure the New York healthcare system has adequate capacity to provide care to all who need it;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Section 29-a of Article 2-B of the Executive Law to temporarily suspend or modify any statute, local law, ordinance, order, rule, or regulation, or parts thereof, of any agency during a State disaster emergency, if compliance with such statute, local law, ordinance, order, rule, or regulation would prevent, hinder, or delay action necessary to cope with the disaster emergency or if necessary to assist or aid in coping with such disaster, I hereby temporarily suspend or modify, for the period from the date of this Executive Order through April 22, 2020 the following:
  • Section 2803 of the Public Health Law, and Parts 400, 401, 405, 409, 710, 711 and 712 of Title 10 of the NYCRR, to the extent necessary to permit and require general hospitals to take all measures necessary to increase the number of beds available to patients, in accordance with the directives set forth in this Executive Order;

  • Section 3001, 3005-a, 3008, and 3010 of the Public Health Law to the extent necessary to modify the definition of “emergency medical services” to include emergency, non-emergency and low acuity medical assistance; to eliminate any restrictions on an approved ambulance services or providers operating outside of the primary territory listed on such ambulance service’s operating certificate with prior approval by the Department of Health; to permit the Commissioner of Health to issue provisional emergency medical services provider certifications to qualified individuals with modified certification periods as approved; and to allow emergency medical services to transport patients to locations other than healthcare facilities with prior approval by Department of Health;

  • Section 3002, 3002-a, 3003, and 3004-a of Public Health Law to the extent necessary to allow any emergency medical treatment protocol development or modification to occur solely with the approval of the Commissioner of Health;    

  • Sections 405.13 and 755.4 of Title 10 of the NYCRR to the extent necessary to permit an advanced practice registered nurse with a doctorate or master's degree specializing in the administration of anesthesia administering anesthesia in a general hospital or free-standing ambulatory surgery center without the supervision of a qualified physician in these health care settings;

  • Paragraph 1 of Section 6542 of the Education Law and Subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 94.2 of Title 10 of the NYCRR to the extent necessary to permit a physician assistant to provide medical services appropriate to their education, training and experience without oversight from a supervising physician without civil or criminal penalty related to a lack of oversight by a supervising physician;

  • Paragraph 1 of Section 6549 of the Education Law and Subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 94.2 of Title 10 of the NYCRR to the extent necessary to permit a specialist assistant to provide medical services appropriate to their education, training and experience without oversight from a supervising physician without civil or criminal penalty related to a lack of oversight by a supervising physician;

  • Subdivision (3) of Section 6902 of Education Law, and any associated regulations, including, but not limited to, Section 64.5 of Title 10 of the NYCRR, to the extent necessary to permit a nurse practitioner to provide medical services appropriate to their education, training and experience, without a written practice agreement, or collaborative relationship with a physician, without civil or criminal penalty related to a lack of written practice agreement, or collaborative relationship, with a physician;|

  • Subdivision (15) of section 3001, and Sections 800.3, 800.15 and 800.16 of Title 10 of the NYCRR with approval of the department, to the extent necessary to define “medical control” to include emergency and non-emergency direction to all emergency medical services personnel by a regional or state medical control center and to permit emergency medical services personnel to operate under the advice and direction of a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or paramedic, provided that such medical professional is providing care under the supervision of a physician and pursuant to a plan approved by the Department of Health;

  • Subdivision (2) of section 6527, Section 6545, and Subdivision (1) of Section 6909 of the Education Law, to the extent necessary to provide that all physicians, physician assistants, specialist assistants, nurse practitioners, licensed registered professional nurses and licensed practical nurses shall be immune from civil liability for any injury or death alleged to have been sustained directly as a result of an act or omission by such medical professional in the course of providing medical services in support of the State’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak, unless it is established that such injury or death was caused by the gross negligence of such medical professional;

  • Any healthcare facility is authorized to allow students, in programs to become licensed in New York State to practice as a healthcare professional, to volunteer at the healthcare facility for educational credit as if the student had secured a placement under a clinical affiliation agreement, without entering into any such clinical affiliation agreement;

  • Notwithstanding any law or regulation to the contrary, health care providers are relieved of recordkeeping requirements to the extent necessary for health care providers to perform tasks as may be necessary to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak, including, but not limited to, requirements to maintain medical records that accurately reflect the evaluation and treatment of patients, or requirements to assign diagnostic codes or to create or maintain other records for billing purposes. Any person acting reasonably and in good faith under this provision shall be afforded absolute immunity from liability for any failure to comply with any recordkeeping requirement. In order to protect from liability any person acting reasonably and in good faith under this provision, requirements to maintain medical records under Subdivision 32 of Section 6530 of the Education Law, Paragraph (3) of Subdivision (a) of Section 29.2 of Title 8 of the NYCRR, and Sections 58-1.11, 405.10, and 415.22 of Title 10 of the NYCRR, or any other such laws or regulations are suspended or modified to the extent necessary for health care providers to perform tasks as may be necessary to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak;

  • Section 405.45 of Title 10 of the NYCRR to the extent necessary to permit the Commissioner of Health to designate a health care facility as a trauma center, or extend or modify the period for which a health care facility may be designated as a trauma center, or modify the review team for assessment of trauma center;

  • Sections 800.3, 800.8, 800.9, 800.10, 800.12, 800.17, 800.18, 800.23, 800.24, and 800.26 of Title 10 of the NYCRR to the extent necessary to extend all existing emergency medical services provider certifications for one year; to permit the Commissioner of Health to modify the examination or recertification requirements for emergency medical services provider certifications; to suspend or modify, at the discretion of the Commissioner of Health, any requirements for the recertification of previously certified emergency medical services providers;  and, at the discretion of the Commissioner of Health, develop a process determined by the Department of Health, to permit any emergency medical services provider certified or licensed by another State to provide emergency medical services within New York state;  at the discretion of the Commissioner of Health, to suspend or modify equipment or vehicle requirements in order to ensure sustainability of EMS operations;

  • Paragraph (6) of subdivision (b) of part 405.4 of Title 10 of the NYCRR to the extent necessary to remove limits on working hours for physicians and postgraduate trainees;

  • Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (g) of 10 N.Y.C.R.R. section 405.4, to the extent necessary to allow graduates of foreign medical schools having at least one year of graduate medical education to provide patient care in hospitals, is modified so as to allow such graduates without licenses to provide patient care in hospitals if they have completed at least one year of graduate medical education;

  • Subdivision (e) of section 405.2 of Title 10 of the NYCRR, to the extent necessary to permit general hospitals affected by the disaster emergency to maintain adequate staffing;

  • Subdivision (b) of section 405.3 of Title 10 of the NYCRR, to the extent necessary to allow general hospitals to use qualified volunteers or personnel affiliated with different general hospitals, subject to the terms and conditions established by the Commissioner of Health;

  • Section 3507 of the Public Health Law and Part 89 of Title 10 of the NYCRR to the extent necessary to permit radiologic technologists licensed and in current good standing in New York State but not registered in New York State to practice in New York State without civil or criminal penalty related to lack of registration;

  • Sections 3502 and 3505 of the Public Health Law and Part 89 of Title 10 of the NYCRR to the extent necessary to permit radiologic technologists licensed and in current good standing in any state in the United State to practice in New York State without civil or criminal penalty related to lack of licensure;

  • Sections 8502, 8504, 8504-a, 8505, and 8507 of the Education Law and Subpart 79-4 of Title 8 of the NYCRR, to the extent necessary to allow respiratory therapists licensed and in current good standing in any state in the United States to practice in New York State without civil or criminal penalty related to lack of licensure;

  • Section 6502 of the Education Law and 8 NYCRR 59.8, to the extent necessary to allow physician’s assistants licensed and in current good standing in New York State but not registered in New York State to practice in New York State without civil or criminal penalty related to lack of registration;

  • Section 6502 of the Education Law and 8 NYCRR 59.8, to the extent necessary to allow registered professional nurses, licensed practical nurses and nurse practitioners licensed and in current good standing in New York State but not registered in New York State to practice in New York State without civil or criminal penalty related to lack of registration;

  • Subdivision (2-b) of Section 4002 of the Public Health Law to the extent necessary to allow a hospice residence to designate any number of beds within such facility as dually certified inpatient beds;

  • Title V of Article 5 of the Public Health Law and subparts 19 and 58 of Title 10 of the NYCRR, to the extent necessary to allow laboratories holding a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Acts (CLIA) certificate and meeting the CLIA quality standards described in 42 CFR Subparts H, J, K and M, to perform testing for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in specimens collected from individuals suspected of suffering from a COVID-19 infection;

  • Article 139 of the Education Law, Section 576-b of the Public Health Law and Section 58-1.7 of Title 10 of the NYCRR, to the extent necessary to permit registered nurses to order the collection of throat or nasopharyngeal swab specimens from individuals suspected of being infected by COVID-19, for purposes of testing; and

  • Subdivision (1) of Section 6801 of the Education Law, Section 6832 of the Education Law and Section 29.7(a)(21)(ii)(b)(4) of Title 8 of the NYCRR, to the extent necessary to permit a certified or registered pharmacy technician, under the direct personal supervision of a licensed pharmacist, to assist such licensed pharmacist, as directed, in compounding, preparing, labeling, or dispensing of drugs used to fill valid prescriptions or medication orders for a home infusion provider licensed as a pharmacy in New York, compliant with the United States Pharmacopeia General Chapter 797 standards for Pharmaceutical Compounding – sterile preparations, and providing home infusion services through a home care agency licensed under Article 36 of the Public Health Law.

IN ADDITION, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Section 29-a of Article 2-B of the Executive Law to issue any directive during a disaster emergency necessary to cope with the disaster, I hereby issue the following directives for the period from the date of this Executive Order through April 22, 2020:
  • Any healthcare facility is authorized to allow students, in programs to become licensed in New York State to practice a healthcare professional, to volunteer at the healthcare facility for educational credit as if the student had secured a placement under a clinical affiliation agreement, without entering into any such clinical affiliation agreement;

  • The Commissioner of Health is authorized to direct, and shall so direct, all general hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, office-based surgery practices and diagnostic and treatment centers to increase the number of beds available to patients, including by canceling all elective surgeries and procedures, as the Commissioner of Health shall define. General hospitals shall comply with such order by submitting COVID-19 Plans to the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), on a schedule to be determined by NYSDOH, to accomplish this purpose;

  • The Commissioner of Health is authorized to suspend or revoke the operating certificate of any general hospital should they be unable to meet the requirements of the necessary capacity directives; and notwithstanding any law to the contrary the Commissioner may appoint a receiver to continue the operations on 24 hours’ notice to the current operator, in order to preserve the life, health and safety of the people of the State of New York.

  • No pharmacist shall dispense hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine except when written as prescribed for an FDA-approved indication; or as part of a state approved clinical trial related to COVID-19 for a patient who has tested positive for COVID-19, with such test result documented as part of the prescription. No other experimental or prophylactic use shall be permitted, and any permitted prescription is limited to one fourteen day prescription with no refills.   

  • Any licensed health insurance company shall deliver to the Superintendent, no later than March 24, 2020 a list of all persons who have a professional licensure or degree, whether physician’s assistant, medical doctor, licensed registered nurse, licensed nurse practitioner or licensed practical nurse, and whether or not the person has a currently valid, or recently (within past five years) expired license in the state of New York. The Department of Financial Services shall poll such individuals to determine whether or not such professionals would serve in the COVID-19 response effort.  

  • Non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason (e.g. parties, celebrations or other social events) are canceled or postponed at this time.

G I V E N   under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State in the City of Albany this twenty-third day of March in the year two thousand twenty.
BY THE GOVERNOR
Secretary to the Governor