DSS-7r (E) 01/04/2024 (page 4 of 8) Department of Social Services
LLF Human Resources Administration
Do I have to be on Cash Assistance to get CityFHEPS?
If your household is eligible for Cash Assistance, you must be receiving those benefits.
Additionally, you cannot have a “sanction” on your cash assistance case. A sanction is placed on
a case when you, or someone in your household, do not comply with DSS/HRA rules and your
household gets less benefits. If you or someone else in your household has a sanction, you must
contact your DSS/HRA Benefits Access Center to clear it before you can get CityFHEPS.
How long can I keep getting CityFHEPS?
The CityFHEPS program generally provides for up to four annual renewals, with additional
extensions available for “good cause” (five years total).
This five-year maximum does not apply to households that include someone who is 60 years old
or older, or that include an adult who receives federal disability benefits. Renewals are subject to
households continuing to meet eligibility requirements and the continued availability of funding.
What kind of housing can I rent using CityFHEPS? Where can I use my CityFHEPS?
You can use CityFHEPS to rent an entire apartment anywhere within New York State. You can
also use CityFHEPS to rent a single room in an apartment or an SRO unit that is within the five
(5) boroughs of New York City. The rent and utility amounts provided on this document are only
valid if you move within New York City. If you are considering moving to an apartment that is
outside of New York City, but within New York State, please go to the DSS CityFHEPS website to
find the statewide amounts at https://www.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/cityfheps-documents.page.
A single room in an apartment is available to a household of no more than two adults. The
maximum rent that CityFHEPS will allow within New York City is $1,100 per month.
The payment standards are the maximum amount of subsidy that HRA will pay to the owner or
landlord on behalf of the CityFHEPS tenant. HRA’s payment standards are based on the Section
8 standard adopted by the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA).
These payment standards vary based on the number of bedrooms and whether all or some
utilities are included. Make sure you know which utilities, if any, are included in the rent. The table
below shows the maximums HRA will pay based on the number of bedrooms and the types of
utilities that are included in the rent, if any.
The payment standard also refers to the maximum number of bedrooms that HRA will subsidize.
Payment standards are based solely on the number of people residing in the assisted household.
HRA will pay for one bedroom/sleeping area for every two people. For example, if there are 3
people, HRA will pay for up to a 2 bedroom as that will allow for 2 people in one sleeping area
and 1 in another.
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