Ask any New Yorkers how much they’re paying in rent and odds are you’ll the response will be a resounded – too much! For our seniors living on social security and pensions, a rental increase is even more burdensome. SCRIE is a public program that helps 47,000 seniors in New York City maintain a fixed rent, if they are renting a rent-controlled subsidized unit. This program works with the Mitchell-Lama program, rent-stabilized and rent-controlled.

The Department of Finance in New York recently mailed out 6,100 letters of revocation to elderly that have not yet re-certified to keep this subsidy. This is a process that must be renewed annually at the end of each lease cycle or with each lease renewal. People who do not certify, risk of losing this benefit.

Tenants have one last chance to submit your renewal application SCRIE – until May 24, 2013. This is a 2-page easy to complete form. Please make a point to support your friends, family and neighbors – ask if they have complete their SCRIE renewal or if they need assistance in completing the form. Generally, renewals must be submitted before the end date of that benefit period in order to avoid the risk of revocation.

To re-certify their eligibility for the program, tenants must submit:
- The application for renewal  http://www.nyc.gov/html/dof/downloads/pdf/drie/scrie_appeal_application.pdf
- Proof of income for all persons living in the home
- The lease for the period in which the benefit was revoked SCRIE

Want SCRIE? If you are a senior living in a regulated apartment, take advantage of this program that could ease an unnecessary burden. SCRIE fixes rent at the current rate and does not allow further increases. To qualify, tenants must be at least 62 years of age and pay more than one third of the total monthly income of the household.

Working together to ensure that our seniors have affordable housing ensures that we maintain a city that values ​​our grandparents. Helps prevent homelessness among low-income older adults.

For help or information call 212-232-1813 or visit the SCRIE office between 8:30 to 4:30 Monday through Friday at 66 John Street, 3rd floor, New York, NY 10038. For more information check the web page of the Department of Finance, New York: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dof/html/property/property_tax_reduc_drie_sc_te.shtml

The post Act Now! Last chance to prevent SCRIE revocation: Help elders in NYC keep this benefit appeared first on My New York Legal Help.

New York City has been working in the past few years to become a greener city by implementing more green spaces, bike lanes and walkable areas. For the past few summers’ bike usage as a mode of transportation has consistently increased as more people opt-in to a healthier lifestyle. With the recent addition of the CitiBank bike share program expected to launch over Memorial Day weekend.

Bicycling is a way of life for many New Yorkers whether it’s riding to work, for work, for leisure or once in a while relaxation. Here are some tips from the NYC DOT to ensure that your riding stays in the street and outside of small claims court:

Most of the regulations applicable to drivers also apply to bicyclists:

Be conscious participant in your environment

• Ride in the street in the same direction as the traffic
• If there is a bicycle lane – USE IT
• Stop at red lights and stop signs
• Riding with friends: Be conscious of cars and other cyclists needing to pass – ride in single-file
• Yield to pedestrians
• No one is reading minds – SIGNAL TO TURN [Left turn: extend left hand and arm to left; Right turn: extend right hand and arm to right; Stop: extend left arm to left and bend downward]
• Do not ride on highways and expressways. It’s extremely dangerous and prohibited
• Listening to music: Don’t wear more than one earbud
• Make sure drivers and pedestrians can see you and hear you – use a bell, headlight, taillight and/or visible clothing
• Don’t grab onto moving vehicles
• Only ride the number of people on the bike that was intended by the designer
• Make sure it works: Check your bike annually, if not every 6 months, to make sure everything is in working order

Protect Your Brain: Helmets
Children under 13 must wear an approved helmet. Working cyclists are also required to wear helmets. DOT fits helmets anytime call 311. They will be giving away helmets throughout the summer.

Other Tips

• Riding in NYC can be treacherous, try not to weave in and out of traffic
• Car doors can trip you up – Watch out

Bike Rights – New York State DOT Requirements

• Bicyclists who disobey the law can receive traffic violations
• Law requires “due care” be exercised in riding to avoid collisions
• Accidents involving death or serious injury must be reported within 10 days to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). File a bicycle crash report or motor vehicle accident report. Leaving the scene of an accident that caused injury without leaving contact information to the injured party and possibly a police officer is a Class B misdemeanor.
• If you bike for commercial or business purposes, make sure that your employer is in compliance with the law in protecting your safety: Commercial Bike Safety

Involved in a legal issue and have questions, feel free to reach out to our LiveHelp specialists who can help you get in touch with the right information – click here

Bike Smart is available in various languages – Haitian Creole (Kreyòl Ayisyen), Italian (italiano), Korean (한국어판),Chinese (中文版), Russian (русском языке) or Spanish (español)

Happy Riding!!

The post Know Your Bike Rights in NYC appeared first on My New York Legal Help.

Home Depot

Suffolk County: 10 Gateway Blvd, Patchogue

Richmond County: 545 Targee St, Staten Island

Lowe’s

Nassau County: 253-01 Rockaway Blvd, Rosedale

Specialist Hours of Operation:

Monday: 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday: 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m

Thursday-Saturday: 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Sunday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

For continuous updates on Sandy relief efforts and disaster resources: Click

The post FEMA Specialists Answer Rebuilding and Cleanup How-To Questions appeared first on My New York Legal Help.

What kind of assistance is still available for housing repairs? Click to learn more about the different free services offered for repairs in the post-Sandy clean up effort.

New York City’s Office of Housing Recovery Operations and the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, in collaboration with several other organizations, have partnered with the Neighborhood Revitalization NYC (an affiliate of LISC) to offer a FREE Mold Treatment Program.

The Neighborhood Revitalization NYC (NRNYC) has a Mold Treatment Program that directly aids approximately 2,000 homeowners in the hardest hit areas of Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island, who are dealing with the mold left behind by the storm. Through the program, eligible homeowners of single-family (1-4 unit) homes would be scheduled with an environmental specialist to facilitate the mold removal. Qualify for the program is based on the condition of the home due to the extent of the water damage and the household income. To call the program directly: 855-740-MOLD (6653), Monday-Friday 9am to 6pm OR by calling 311.

For DIY homeowners, the city offers a free mold supply kit and training. For training times and locations click here

For more information regarding the resources available through the Neighborhood Revitalization NYC program – click

To learn if you’re eligible for this program and many others, visit LawHelp/NY for more information.

The post Need help getting rid of mold? NYC offers Free Mold Removal Services appeared first on My New York Legal Help.

A new coalition has formed to help curb New York City’s homelessness crisis.

The group, United to End Homelessness, is spearheaded by advocates, faith leaders, and homeless men and women. This nonpartisan coalition aims to highlight homelessness during this year’s mayoral election and educate the candidates on what policies are needed to reverse the current trends.

Rev. Calvin O. Butts speaks at the launch of United to End Homelessness on April 9 outside New York City Hall. Rev. Butts is a pastor at Abyssinian Baptist Church, one of more than 120 organizations to endorse United to End Homelessness’ plan for New York’s next mayor.

As of today, 57,000 New Yorkers are sleeping in shelters on the streets. That number has never been higher, and it includes a stunning 22,000 children. To address this unprecedented level of homelessness, New York’s next mayor must take bold, immediate steps. The people behind United to End Homelessness work for and with homeless individuals everyday. They have years of experience working with families and individuals in crisis, helping them to achieve more stable lives.

If anyone can reduce that 57,000 number, it’s them.

They’ve created a policy platform, which outlines the exact steps our next mayor must take. This solutions-oriented document is a roadmap for the next administration. It contains more than 20 concrete steps that our lawmakers can take right now to reduce epidemic levels of homelessness. More than 120 churches and nonprofits have already endorsed this plan. Among their many proposals, they argue for:

• Creation of a new local rent subsidy
• A continued investment in supportive housing
• A focus on people who are currently underserved in our system, including domestic violence survivors and homeless youth
• Expanded programs to prevent homelessness in the first place

Sound good? If so, there are several ways you can help United to End Homelessness this year:

• If you work at a nonprofit organization, you can urge your boss to endorse our platform.
• Sign up for our mailing list by emailing us at unitedtoendhomelessnessNYC@hsunited.org. This way, we can let you know about upcoming events and advocacy opportunities.
• Share United to End Homelessness’ platform on Facebook and Twitter and urge others to do so as well (printable PDF here).
• Attend forums with the mayoral candidates and ask if they support the United to End Homelessness plan to end homelessness.

Above all, we need people to be loud and keep homelessness on the radar of our mayoral candidates. With your help, we can attract their attention and educate them on what needs to be done to end homelessness in this great city. If you’d like to learn more and get involved directly, please feel free to email me at srezayazdi@shnny.org.

The post Call to Action: United to End Homelessness Needs You appeared first on My New York Legal Help.

This guide provides answers and information on resources for the most-commonly asked questions and issues coming up during the Sandy recovery process.

I. FEMA Appeals and other Disaster Assistance

How do I appeal if FEMA gives me less than I’m entitled to or even denies my claim?

If you already applied for FEMA assistance and were either denied or given less payment than you claimed for, this online form helps you fill out an appeal that you can print out and file with FEMA.  Click here to use the Online FEMA Appeal form. This form also has a very useful Q&A page to help you understand the FEMA appeal process:  FEMA Appeal Process

What type of disaster assistance is the government still providing?

Brooklyn Jubilee, a member of NY Disaster Interfaith Services serving Coney Island, posed a series of questions to FEMA related to ongoing problems experienced by Sandy victim members of the Coney Island community. FEMA’s in-house counsel responded in writing. This is FEMA’s responses.

FEMA has also approved an extension to the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program, which allows eligible survivors from Hurricane Sandy who cannot return to their homes to stay in participating hotels.  The new checkout date for those in the TSA program is May 29, 2013.  Click here to read more about this.  You can also click here to download the application for Continued Temporary Housing Assistance.

Even though the deadline has passed, FEMA, SBA, and other partners are still in New York providing help. The following services are still available for you:

FEMA:

• Applicants may call FEMA’s Helpline at 800-621-3362 (Voice, 7-1-1/Relay) or TTY 800-462-7585 to update FEMA about your situation or ask questions. The line is open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT, seven days a week until further notice.
• The FEMA helpline provides speakers in more than 40 languages to answer your questions, update your contact information or check on the status of your application. Call 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585 and choose Option 2 for Spanish or Option 3 for other languages.

U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

SBA is available to answer questions about low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters or businesses.  

• The SBA Disaster Customer Service Center number is 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).
• SBA assistance is also available by sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or by visiting sba.gov.
• Visit a Disaster Loan Outreach Center or a Business Recovery Center. To find the nearest center and for application status updates, call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).

EIGHT DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS REMAIN OPEN

• FEMA and SBA representatives can answer questions at each disaster recovery center.
• Click here for their locations.

Visit New York Hurricane Sandy Disaster Recovery Resources for up-to date information on disaster resources as well as answers to commonly asked questions such as: (1) What to do if you have not heard back regarding any disaster assistance?, (2) What to do if you are still waiting for your flood insurance settlement?; and more.

Finally, FEMA urges all victims who have received money to keep the receipts or bills for which the money was used for three years. Click here to read more.

Is there any other cash assistance available?

Visit the New York Disaster Interfaith Service Sandy Recover Guide for an overview of several cash assistance programs available.  One of these programs is the Governor Cuomo’s Disaster Homeownership Repair and Rebuilding Fund which can provide financial assistance with home repairs and other home issues.  To see if you qualify call their 1-855-NYS-SANDY hotline.

II. Sandy Insurance Issues

I’m having problems with my home insurance company? What kind of protections do I have and where can I go for help?
In the last few weeks, the New York State Department of Financial Services has announced investigations and new regulations about insurance company practices following Sandy. Click here to read about these new protections available to you and where to go for help: New York Sandy Insurance Problems.

For more help in NYC you can also call the City Bar Legal Hotline to speak at 212-626-7383.

  Where can I learn more about flood insurance and the National Flood Insurance Program?

For information on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), read this guide.

Flood insurance could lead to a lot of questions, Touro Law Clinic offers a Flood Victims FAQ for assistance.

Where can I get help in dealing with complex insurance questions and deadlines?

This checklist developed by Touro TLC HEART covers:

• Notices and related requirements for upcoming insurance deadlines concerning “replacement cost value,” or “RCV.”
• Notice of loss and damage that might be covered by flood or homeowner policies.
• How to get your policy, and how to request your claims file.
• Sample language for notices to insurers, and other tips, based on how we have advised our clients.

To learn how to handle a “Replacement Cost Value Notice” check out our blog post and Touro Law’s RCV detailed checklist.  

For insurance questions generally, please contact Touro Law Center’s HEART Hotline for Sandy victims at (631) 761-7198.

What can I do if my insurance company is dragging its feet in response to my Sandy related claim?

NY Insurance Reg 64 requires inspection of damaged property due to Sandy within 6 business days, and insurers have 15 days to make a decision on the claim.  Click here to read about how this new law protects you when your insurance company is dragging their feet.  

III.  Sandy Legal Aid NYC

I am still dealing with many legal issues as a result of Sandy? What free legal aid resources are available in NYC?

There are still NYC legal assistance groups providing free legal clinics or:

• LawHelpNY.org includes a list of free legal aid providers in NYC working on Sandy issues
• If you live in Long Island contact Touro Law Center – Hurricane Emergency Assistance and Referral Team (TLC-HEART) at (631) 761-7198 or email tlcheart@tourolaw.edu.
  

Are there any legal aid disaster clinics going on in my area?

If you have any questions related to disaster aid, appeals, insurance, small business issues, housing, or employment matters – check out the calendar below to learn about legal clinics that may be going on in your area.

IV. Housing Issues

I am still displaced.  Where can I look for short-term or long-term housing?

NYC.gov has created a Housing Recovery Portal that allows individuals and families displaced from their homes to get information about housing.  On this site, you can create an account to learn about short and long-term housing options.  You can also call the Housing Recovery Desk at 212-863-5710 for more info.

FEMA has also approved an extension to the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program, which allows eligible survivors from Hurricane Sandy who cannot return to their homes to stay in participating hotels.  The new checkout date for those in the TSA program is May 29, 2013.  Click here to read more about this.

To stay on top of upcoming housing forums in NYC that provide information on housing resources, click here.

What kind of assistance is still available for housing repairs?

• The Neighborhood Revitalization NYC (NRNYC) has a free Mold Treatment Program available for residents of Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island who qualify and are struggling with mold left behind by the storm. Click here to find out if you qualify and how you can apply.  This information is also available in Spanish and Russian.
• Registration for the NYC Rapid Repairs program is now closed.  However, if you’re a tenant in NYC that needs repairs to your apartment or have other questions, this Tenants’ Hurricane Survival Guide provides answers to commonly-asked questions regarding tenant housing issues after Hurricane Sandy.
• Governor Cuomo’s Disaster Homeownership Repair and Rebuilding Fund can help homeowners whose property was damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. Homeowners who have already qualified for FEMA housing assistance grants can now also obtain up to an additional $10,000.  Click here to find out how you can apply.

Here is a collection of the most common home repair issues post-Sandy:

• Controlling dust
• Sewage
• Removing mold
• More tips on removing mold and hiring a contractor
• How to check the license of a contractor or company

The New York Disaster Interfaith Service Sandy Recovery page also includes a wealth of housing resources and information.

Do tenants in damaged or destroyed properties have special rights?

Tenants’ Hurricane Survival Guide provides an overview of the rights of tenants in damaged or destroyed properties and provides answers to commonly-asked questions.  Also visit LawHelpNY’s section on Tenants affected by Hurricane Sandy, for a collection of “know your rights” resources for tenants. 

I am disabled and have been placed in temporary housing post-Sandy.  What are my rights?

If you are disabled and residing in temporary housing that does not meet your accessibility needs, click here.  For more information on housing help for people with disabilities, read Post-Sandy Housing Resources for Persons with Disabilities.

My property has been badly damaged due to Sandy.  Do I have to adjust the property value?

Each year, you are mailed a Notice of Property Value (NOPV) in January that reflects the status of your property.  If Hurricane Sandy destroyed your property or resulted in severe exterior damage, the notice you received this January should take into account your property’s hurricane damage.  This resource provides info on how to report property damage to accurately display your property value.

V. Tax Issues

What kind of assistance and benefits is the IRS providing?

For information on tax relief, deductions, and assistance available to individuals, families, nonprofits, charities, and small-businesses affected by Sandy read our short Sandy tax relief guide.  

My property is damaged.  Do I still have to pay property taxes?

If you lost your property or if it sustained property damages due to Sandy, you may qualify for property tax relief.  Click here to find out if you qualify and how to apply.

VI. Assistance for Small Businesses and Community Groups

What kind of aid is the Small Business Administration providing?

The deadline to return applications for economic injury applications is July 31, 2013.  The Business Recovery Centers in Brooklyn and Long Island are still open for one-on-one assistance:

Kings Co. IKEA – Brooklyn 1 Beard Street (Coney Island Room) Brooklyn, NY  11231.  Hours: Mon – Sun, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Nassau Co. Farmingdale State College SBDC Training Center 2350 Broad Hollow Rd Farmingdale, NY  11735.  Hours: Mon – Fri,   9 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sat and Sun, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Additional information can be obtained by calling SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.  Application forms can be downloaded from www.sba.gov.

What kind of assistance is the City of New York still providing?

• The New York City Economic Development Corporation is coordinating resources for businesses that have been affected by the storm, including emergency loans, short-term office space for displaced businesses and other services.  Click here for a list of resources available and how you can apply.
• NYC.gov has a page dedicated to Hurricane Sandy Business Recovery Information with an extensive list of assistance available to help business and nonprofits recover from the storm.  Click here to see the list of services/assistance being offered.
• They have produced in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Russian which outline all the available NYC assistance for business owners:

Download Hurricane Sandy Business Recovery PDF.

Download Hurricane Sandy Business Recovery PDF (en español).

Download Hurricane Sandy Business Recovery PDF (中文).

Download Hurricane Sandy Business Recovery PDF (ру́сский язы́к).

• Bloomberg has passed an executive order waiving fees for businesses recovering from Sandy.  Click here to read this notice.

What help is available in Long Island? 

• If you live in Long Island contact Touro Law Center – Hurricane Emergency Assistance and Referral Team (TLC-HEART) at (631) 761-7198 or email tlcheart@tourolaw.edu
• Nassau County has established a storm assistance program for small businesses. Eligible firms may receive up to $99,000 to be used toward recovery efforts through the Nassau IDA’s Local Enterprise Assistance and Development Services Program. The program provides eligible small businesses with help through a sales tax exemption on any furniture, fixtures, equipment and material purchased for repair and reconstruction. For information, contact the Nassau County IDA at (516) 571-1745 or by email at Leads@nassauida.org.
• Suffolk County is offering recovery assistance through the Department of Labor and Department of Economic Development and Planning. The county is hosting Small Business Assistance Recovery Centers daily at labor department offices at the H. Lee Dennison building in Hauppauge from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and at the Suffolk County Department of Labor in Riverhead from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For information, call (631) 853-6600.

What is the National Grid Program and how can I apply?

The National Grid Program provides assistance with repairs for small-businesses or multi-family residences.  You can read more about this program here.  You can also call their hotline at 1-855-496-9359 for more information.

VII. Health Issues

I’m still experiencing a lot of stress and health-related issues due to Sandy?  What assistance is available to help me cope?

If you are experiencing continuous stress and mental health issues because of the consequences of Hurricane Sandy, click here for tips and resources available for New Yorkers.

You can also click here to find out what agencies in NYC are providing disaster case management assistance. 

The post Sandy Recovery: Resources and Info for New Yorkers (We’ll be updating this list regularly, so check back often!) appeared first on My New York Legal Help.

If you know of any clinics not listed in this calendar that should be, please email us at calendar@nylawhelp.org.

Make sure to click on clinic names for full details!

For more information on Sandy Assistance go to our main New York Sandy Recovery Resources page.

The post New York Free Disaster Assistance Legal Clinics appeared first on My New York Legal Help.

Homeowners that didn’t qualify for the Making Home Affordable (HAMP) program because of the GSE Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac mortgage now have an option. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a new relief program for home owning victims of Sandy. According to a release issued by the governor’s office, “Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac back more than 65 percent of mortgages in New York.”

This program is meant to shield homeowners that may have been hit with a balloon payment due date or interest rate adjustment during these rough times. Participation in the program could result in homeowners seeing a decrease in their monthly payments overall due to a lower increase rate that could drop to as low as four percent. In order to be eligible, you have to have been among the homeowners who had received forbearance. For more information on the program – click here

The Governor’s work does not stop with this success. He and his team are working to encourage credit reporting agencies to waive black marks for homeowners that have missed payments because of the additional costs and hardship incurred from the storm.

The program is set to launch in July, but Sandy victims should reach out to their bank and housing counselor now.

• Freddie Mac mortgage holders click here for more information: http://www.freddiemac.com/news/sandy_relief.html
• Fannie Mae mortgage holders click here for more information: http://knowyouroptions.com/relief

For more disaster related resources, check out our Know Your Rights resources and legal partners: http://www.lawhelpny.org/

The post New GSE Mortgage Relief Program for Superstorm Sandy Victims appeared first on My New York Legal Help.

• Did the City, a case manager or hotel tell you to leave on April 30?
• If so, the City has agreed to let you stay until at least May 15
• The Legal Aid Society and Weil will  be in court on May 13 to try to get more time
• You can call (800) 649-9125, if you have more questions

As reported in the New York Times and several of media outlets last week, the Legal Aid Society and Weil are fighting to keep these 488 Sandy evacuee households from being further displaced. For more information: Protect Sandy Victims In City Shelter Placements

The post Attention: Sandy Evacuees with DHS Hotel Benefits appeared first on My New York Legal Help.

Homeowners can access the Homeowner Protection Program by calling (855) 466-3456 and asking to speak to a “foreclosure prevention specialist.” Homeowners in need of legal services can also call to schedule an appointment with any of the organizations listed in the HPP-Legal Services tab.

According to the AG’s site,  “in New York State alone, more than 140,000 mortgages across the state that are seriously delinquent, defined as in foreclosure or more than 90 days in arrears. That’s an average of 1 in 10 mortgages. Some of the hardest hit communities are on Long Island, in Brooklyn and Queens in New York City, and in the Hudson Valley. The approximate number of individuals living in homes that are either in or facing foreclosure exceeds the populations of Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse combined.” Since 2009, the Center for New York City Neighborhoods (CNYCN) has been managing a hotline that has been able to facilitate the referral process for 15,000 homeowners struggling to keep their homes. The Attorney General has subcontracted with CNYNC to assist in managing the statewide hotline.

The earlier you reach out to speak with a housing counselor or attorney (if you have received a “summons and complaint” and/or are already in court), the more options there are available to mitigate your foreclosure crisis.

• Housing counselors provide free advice and assistance on foreclosure avoidance, loan modification and refinance application assistance, credit issues, and other relevant topics.
• Legal Services organizations provide direct assistance to homeowners facing foreclosure, including legal advice, advocacy and litigation services.

These are professionals that are tapped into the latest updates and options that are available to homeowners in need, such as the Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP). When working with a housing counselor please make sure that they are part of or affiliated with a 501(c)3 nonprofit in the city and do not charge for their services. It is illegal for someone to guarantee a loan modification or charge an upfront fee. If this is the case, please report this provider to the AG’s hotline (855) 466-3456.

Know your rights when it comes to preventing foreclosure! Click here and enter your zip code to check out more foreclosure prevention resources in your neighborhood – http://www.lawhelpny.org/issues/housing/foreclosure

The post Prevent Foreclosure: Attorney General Launches Free Homeowner Protection Program appeared first on My New York Legal Help.