nyc hra staff directory

HRA is working closely with our partners at DOHMH to ensure a smooth transition of social service contracts for their on-going monitoring. Although the duties of a GAL in a summary proceeding are different from those in a negligence, Article 81 or other proceeding involving substantial sums of money and a GAL is not the guardian of the litigants property nor does the GAL have control over the litigants finances, there is a concern about potential liability in connection with GAL service and the potential chilling effect this could have on expanding the role of private attorneys in the GAL process. If submitting a payment, please indicate the amount of the payment. Here are examples of actual cases undertaken by lawyers on a pro bono basis through. Questions about specific requests should also be made through NYC OpenRecords by using the Contact the Agency link available on every request page. During its discussion of this issue, the Task Force was informed that Civil Court does not have resources allocated under the current budget to add social workers to Court staff. As a result of the process of creating this Report, HPD approved a request to permit access to its information on the Court Terminals. Although some reports are available to Housing Court Judges upon request, it often takes an inordinate amount of time to receive such reports. Dedicated Homebase staff across the five boroughs are available to evaluate households' specific needs, offering a variety of services to help New Yorkers achieve housing stability, including: Services to prevent eviction Assistance obtaining public benefits Emergency rental assistance Education and job placement assistance GALs and providing adequate support, training and supervision to ensure that they perform their services appropriately; standardizing Court procedures to ensure the preservation of due process rights of litigants with diminished capacity; and. The delay is due in part to the age of the computer system used for the Housing Court and the fact that Housing Court staff have to request that OCA programmers run the reports. First, at the present time, the Court-approved GAL training is offered only once every six months and requires attendance in downtown Manhattan from 9 a.m. to. Do you need help with your application, recertification or other program requirements? Given this legal landscape, the Task Force believes that the AGs opinion letter will not provide the protection to adequately assuage the concerns of private lawyers interested in serving as GALs. We have provided legal education for more than 40 years. In light of the recent actions of a few Guardians Ad Litem in housing cases which have adversely affected the interests of their wards the following best practices are strongly advised: The responsibility for insuring that a stipulation settling the case of a person for whom a GAL has been appointed is appropriate rests ultimately with the Judge who so orders the stipulation. Housing Court Judges should ensure that GALS follow the procedures set forth below: These procedures and best practices are in accordance with the CPLR and New York case law and are designed to protect the due process rights of all litigants with diminished capacity in Housing Court. The responsibility for insuring that a stipulation settling the case of a person for whom a GAL has been appointed is appropriate rests ultimately with the Judge who so orders the stipulation. Tenants are often advised that the fastest way to obtain needed repairs in their apartments is to withhold rent, let their landlord bring a non-payment proceeding, and then ask the Court for a repair order and a rent abatement. In fact, the Task Force believes that streamlining the GAL-approval process for private bar attorneys is in the best interests of all stakeholders in the Housing Court process. Ms. G is an 80-year-old woman living in a one bedroom apartment in the West Village. Although there was substantial consensus on many of the recommendations, individual members of the Task Force may have views that differ from those presented in this report. Clients will only receive a call back if additional information is needed. Judge Fisher also issued a Directive and Procedure to all Housing Court Judges mandating that a GAL complete a GAL case summary form for each case, which must be retained by the GAL for three years, and that a Judge may require submission of the form or may query a GAL on the record. increasing the number of competent, well-trained GALs and providing adequate support, training and supervision to ensure that they perform their services in an appropriate manner; increasing the involvement of the private bar as. In the latter event, a copy of the order removing a GAL for this reason or any other reason must be sent to the Administrative Judge immediately. 21 at 5 (Richmond Co. Dist. You can also fax your application to 917-639-0732. The Human Resources Administration (HRA) is the nation's largest social services agency and assists over three million lowincome and vulnerable New Yorkers annually Clients may attest to all elements of eligibility except Immigration Status and Identity, if immigration document does not also prove identity. On October 28-29, 2004, the Justice Center of the New York County Lawyers Association (NYCLA), chaired by former dean of Fordham Law School, John Feerick, hosted a conference, The New York City Housing Court in the 21st Century: Can It Better Address the Problems Before It? occasioned by the Courts 30th anniversary. IDNYC IDNYC is the free identification card for all New York City residents. , the court held that a private attorney appointed as a referee in a mortgage foreclosure proceeding was an independent contractor, and therefore not a State employee entitled to defense and indemnification from the State in a subsequent lawsuit brought against him arising out of his service as a referee. We are likewise convinced this will not happen unless the bench and bar take a leadership role in educating the general public and policymakers about the critical importance of this step and the impossibility of delivering justice rather than injustice in. Since May 2013 the NYC Medicaid Office has been located at 785 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11238. Given the great strides the Housing Court has made in providing the above resources and assistance to pro se litigants, the Resources Subcommittee focused on other types of resources that would also improve access to justice for Housing Court litigants. Name of Judge and date Judge approved stipulation: __________________________, Copyright 2023 New York County Lawyers Association. You or your authorized representative can apply by mailing in an application to the address below: Initial Eligibility Unit HRA/Medical Assistance Program PO Box 24390 Brooklyn, NY 11202-9814. Although the Task Force recognizes the significant improvements the Housing Court has made in the GAL program, it is concerned about the lack of procedures to protect the due process rights of litigants with diminished capacity, and about inconsistencies in the way that cases involving a GAL are handled. Nicole M. Zeiss is an antitrust and securities lawyer at Labaton Sucharow & Rudoff. GALs should be entitled to immunity or indemnification with respect to their service. Second, attorneys serving as GALs at the request of legal services groups are given substantial direction by the legal services agency with respect to APS/benefits issues/one- shot grants, etc., and their experiences as lawyers should decrease the amount of training required to qualify them as Court-approved GALs. OCA should once again explore the possibility of entering into an MOU with DHCR so that Housing Court and the Housing Court Judges can have online access to DHCRs rent registration information. Tell an HRA Worker or call us at 718-557-1399. myBenefits Live outside of NYC? Available to Pro Users. Her ward was a Vietnam veteran, now in his sixties. The New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) sells data about eviction cases brought in the New York City Housing Court to Tenant Screening Bureaus (TSB), which use the data to prepare tenant-screening reports that they sell to prospective landlords who want to determine if an applicant was sued by a prior landlord. HRA permits nonprofit organizations, associations and corporations to solicit donations for charitable purposes in New York City.HRA administers Public Solicitation Licenses for event producers interested in soliciting for services, products, or charities at their event. In making its decision as to whether to enter into an MOU, DHCR would take into consideration the purpose of the access (in this case, to provide information to the judiciary that would aid in properly resolving litigation), other public policy concerns and the confidentiality provisions recited above. NYCLA subsequently created the NYCLA Task Force on the Housing Court (hereinafter Task Force), co-chaired by Professor Paula Galowitz and Hon. All HRA sites are currently open. Ms. G. denied owing any back rent. Your authorized representative can fax an application to 917-639-0731. The importance of this issue recently came to light in a decision issued by Judge Lewis A. Kaplan of the Southern District of New York. Jonathan Haragold Principal. The issue should also be raised in all GAL training materials. A valuable pro bono role can be performed by lawyers through. If you are serving an out-of-state subpoena, please ensure that service is made an accordance with NY CPLR 3119. She served as a guardian ad litem on behalf of a woman seeking post-eviction relief who had been hospitalized at the time of the court proceedings. 12, 1999, NYU, pg 26 at 1 (AT 1st Dept. Although GALs do not represent litigants as attorneys, attorneys serving as GALs use their legal training, acumen and advocacy skills in ways that fall within the New York City Bars definition of pro bono pursuant to its Statement of Pro Bono Principles, The Civil Courts list of persons who are certified to serve as GALs contains only a limited number of candidates, most of whom accept the $600 fee. By contrast, the funds received by OCA from its sale of Criminal Court data must return, pursuant to State law, to OCAs Criminal Court budget. You should continue to pay your spenddown until your MBI- WPD application is approved. Justice Fisher advised that the Court sought to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with DHCR in 1997/1998 for the Court to obtain online access to relevant DHCR records; however, DHCR failed to finalize the MOU. *DSS is comprised of the NYC Human Resources Administration and the NYC Department of Homeless Services. All hours are Monday to Friday except where otherwise noted. New York, NY 10038 In addition, I am attaching a copy of HRA's procedure for governing public access to records and documents as well as two HRA program guidelines It is the Task Forces understanding that the New York City Housing Court provides computer terminals in the courthouses that attorneys and litigants can access to check on the status of active cases (Court Terminals). Docket/case information and case filings are available to attorneys and litigants in the federal court system and should similarly be made available in Housing Court. This certification could be filed with the Court at the commencement of the service; the Court would then be assured that the private attorney serving as a GAL has been provided with adequate and appropriate GAL training before undertaking the, This recommendation is made based on the following circumstances. The Task Force encourages the Housing Court to continue these efforts by producing a shortened version of the Court-required GAL training, in print and on video/DVD. The "subject matter list" maintained by the agency is in the process of being updated. Ct). Any case that is closed for failure to renew or failure to provide documentation during COVID-19 will be re-opened and coverage restored to ensure no gap in coverage. Pro Bono Programs forms in their files for a period of three years and, upon request, may be asked to furnish such a copy to the Administrative Judge for the Civil Court of the City of New York. Ct Albany Co.); 83 A.D.2d 748, 443 N.Y.S.2d 506 (4th Dept 1981); 51 A.D.2d 115, 379 N.Y.&2d 881 (4th Dept 1976); Nov. 30, 1992, NYLJ, pg. Ms. Zelhof of MFY Legal Services emphasizes the extreme vulnerability of persons with diminished capacity. To the extent legislation is required to implement this recommendation, such legislation should be pursued. litigants with procedural information. There are many frail and fragile people who live in New York City. The sale of Housing Court data should be ended. If clients are unable to submit this documentation due to the COVID-19 Emergency, the application should still be submitted. The HRA Difference Faculty & Staff Directory Lower School Faculty Middle School Faculty Upper School Faculty Non-Teaching Staff All Faculty & Staff Dedicated Faculty and Staff Hampton Generally, this $600 fee does not adequately compensate a GAL for his/her service, based on the actual amount of time and level of work involved. The New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) sells data about eviction cases brought in the New York City Housing Court to Tenant Screening Bureaus (TSB), which use the data to prepare tenant-screening reports that they sell to prospective landlords who want to determine if an applicant was sued by a prior landlord. Please make your check or money order payable to the NYC Department of Social Services and mail it to the New York City Human Resources Administration, Office of Legal Affairs, Freedom of Information Law Officer, 180 Water Street, New York, NY 10038, Room 1701. state. She says of this experience, It gave me an opportunity to interact with a client and to immediately see the beneficial results of my efforts. Pursuant to the New York State Freedom of Information Law (1977 N.Y. Laws ch. 27 at 4 (Civ. She lives on the Social Security payments she receives each month. However, a recent New York Court of Appeals decision, , 2006 Slip Op. form or may query the GAL on the record. In ascertaining the above a Judge either may require the GAL to submit the GAL Case Summary form( CIV-LT-57-2/2007 ) that GALs are now required to fill out for every case or may query the G AL. Their leasehold is their only property right. Here she describes a case she worked on a decade ago: My greatest accomplishment as a lawyer will always be my work on behalf of a mentally disabled indigent client, for whom I served as a guardian ad litem. During the COVID-19 Emergency, applications may be submitted via fax to 917-639-0732. Gail Hankin Director. (718) 557-1399 (phone) Website. Please be advised that materials responsive to your request are now available. 150 Greenwich Street, Office of Leg Affairs, 38th Floor, New York, NY 10007. BML Realty Group v. Jack Samuels. Other documents may be used, even if not on the list. 2007 WL 58197, N.Y.L.J., March 2, 2007, 29:1 (N Y.Sup.App.Term 1st Dept.). like this one. Gary P. Jenkins was appointed by Mayor Eric Adams as the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Social Services (DSS), which oversees both the Human Resources These guides don't mention every type of document. Elise Brown is a litigator at Patterson, Belknap, Webb & Tyler. In light of the potential volume of filings, any exploration of electronic filing using a private vendor should include a discussion concerning providing access free of charge to individuals without the economic means to pay for the service. However, Justice Fisher noted that the Court does not have online access to DHCRs rent registration information and that such information would be useful to the Court when it is handling summary non-payment proceedings and rent overcharge claims, particularly when tenants are unrepresented. Clients do not need to provide proof of their Medicare application; this requirement is waived for the period of the COVID-19 emergency. forms should not be placed in the court file unless the file is made a sealed record. Through her efforts as guardian, and the work of an MFY lawyer, the man was restored to his room by a judge and his possessions returned to him. Generally, this $600 fee does not adequately compensate a GAL for his/her service, based on the actual amount of time and level of work involved. The Human Resources Administration (HRA) ACCESS HRA website and free mobile app allow you to get information, apply for benefit programs, and view case information online. MFY Legal Services, Inc. is willing to oversee the creation of the training video/DVD to be used by private bar attorneys working with legal services providers throughout the City. In making these suggestions, the Task Force recognizes that the Housing Court has explored improving the use and accessibility of technology in the past, and is firmly committed to making improvements to the system wherever possible. Judge Fisher recently issued an Advisory Notice to all Housing Court Judges stressing the importance of handling GAL cases in a manner that protects the rights of litigants with diminished capacity. After speaking with Justice Fisher, the Task Force contacted DHCR and spoke with Michael Rosenblatt, Assistant Commissioner/Deputy Counsel. Taken all steps to get the ward to come to court or to locate the ward if the ward is missing. These solicitations can take place indoors or outdoors. To help people who do not have resources, or access to assistance, is a great privilege for me.. 25 at, 6 (Sup. By calling HRAs Staff Emergency phone number at (718) 246-7659 you will be given general Agency information. 933), I hereby request the following records: A listing of every officer and/or employee of the agency, including name, office address, title and salary. She has served as a guardian ad litem six times before. Contact the NYC HRA Office of Burial Services (OBS) Our office is now located at: 33-28 Northern Blvd. The two roles are distinct, as are the obligations.. A valuable pro bono role can be performed by lawyers through service as a guardian. Please also provide the relevant time period for the requested records, and the particular benefit type associated with the requested records. Please be advised that pursuant to CPLR 1201 and 1203, if it appears that a respondent is incapable of adequately defending against a proceeding, the court should appoint a guardian ad litem and any default judgment entered prior to the appointment in most instances should be vacated. New York, New York 10006. 2022 All Rights Reserved, NYC is a trademark and service mark of the City of New York, Serving New Yorkers with Care & Compassion, Interagency Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), Read the 2021 Commission on Community Reinvestment and the Closure of Rikers Island Report, Read the 2022 Mayoral Response to Recommendations from the Commission on Community Reinvestment and the Closure of Rikers Island, Read the DSS COVID-19 Return to Office Plan 2021. Have a disability as defined by the Social Security Administration (SSA) or by New York State; Be working (including being self-employed); Have resources not exceeding $20,000 for an individual and $30,000 for a couple. After the Conference, NYCLA issued a Report (available on the NYCLA website at http://www.nycla.org/siteFiles/Publications/Publicationsl95__0.pdf), which contained recommendations and proposals for reform, including establishment of a right to counsel in Housing Court for parties unable to afford counsel, as a means to reduce homelessness in New York City; improved resources, especially for litigants of diminished capacity; and establishment of Protocols and Best Practices (or standards) for more active oversight by judges of cases in which a pro se party is opposed by a represented party. Please note that individual client records or information are confidential and are not available under FOIL. Index Number: ________________________________, Case Name: ___________________________v.__________________________, GAL Contact Information: Name:_____________________________, Income and savings (Social Security, SSI, public assistance, etc. HRA permits nonprofit organizations, associations and corporations to solicit donations for charitable purposes in New York City. You or your authorized representative can also apply at any local Medicaid office within New York City. It is noted that the APS referral form, psychiatric reports etc., should also not be retained in the court file unsealed when the case is resolved, as these documents also may contain health information that should not be made available to the general public. New York County Lawyers Association 2022 All Rights Reserved, NYC is a trademark and service mark of the City of New York, Serving New Yorkers with Care & Compassion. 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