New help desks have been set up at John F. Kennedy International Airport to provide information about state resource and welcome passengers arriving from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The help desks are located
in the baggage claim areas of the Delta and JetBlue terminals -- the
two airlines serving Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands at JFK.
Bilingual New York State employees are staffing the desks to alert
arriving passengers of their rights in New York State, as well as
supportive services and resources that may be available to them.
"These new
help desks will provide essential information to Puerto Ricans and U.S.
Virgin Islanders arriving in the Empire State after the devastation of
recent hurricanes," Governor Cuomo said. "With
this on-the-ground resource hub, we make it clear to these individuals
and their families that in New York, we embrace our fellow Americans
with open arms and we will do all we can to ensure that they are aware
of the full extent of their rights and resources available to them in
our state."
The help desk will be staffed from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m.,
coinciding with the arrival of the first and last flight from the
islands. The resources that may be available to these individuals,
subject to eligibility requirements, include: access to health insurance; affordable housing; commodity supplemental food program; immunizations; New York State career centers; NYS-TEACHS for McKinney-Vento Act Assistance; nutrition services for women, infants and children; State University of New York and City University of New York; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; and Temporary Assistance.
Those
coming from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands who are looking for
assistance with education, employment, healthcare, and housing and
financial assistance are encouraged to call the New York State Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Helpline at 1-888-364-4901. The hotline is currently staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week with bilingual operators ready to assist.
Education
Under
the McKinney-Vento Act, children and youth have the right to
immediately enroll in school without records, including school records,
medical records, vaccination records, or proof of residency. Children
who have a current Individualized Education Plan also have the right to
receive special education services, and children and youth have the
right to receive free school meals without filling out an application.
State
University of New York and City University of New York have made
efforts to ensure that displaced students from Puerto Rico and the U.S.
Virgin Islands have access to housing and are eligible to pay the in-state tuition rate.
Employment
New York State's Career Centers offer
a variety of classes, workshops and job fairs for individuals seeking
employment. Career counselors are available to offer advice and
referrals to candidates from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to
assist them in their job search.
Healthcare
Individuals and their families planning to move to New York have access to health insurance through the NY State of Health,
New York's Health Insurance Marketplace. Application assistance is
available in various languages, including Spanish. Additionally,
children under 19 years of age are eligible to receive any
routinely-recommended vaccines through the New York State Vaccines for Children Program
if they do not have health insurance, if their health insurance does
not cover vaccines, or if they are enrolled in Medicaid or the New York
State Child Health Plus Insurance Program.
Income-eligible mothers have access to Nutrition Services for Women, Infants and Children,
which offers nutritious foods, breastfeeding support and referrals to
pregnant, breastfeeding or postpartum women, infants and children up to
the age of five. Additionally, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, like Puerto Rico's Nutrition Assistance Program, is available to help low-income households to purchase food. The Commodity Supplemental Food Program offers free and nutritious foods to seniors of 60 years and older in New York City and on Long Island.
Housing & Financial Assistance
Those entering New York State from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands may be eligible for Temporary Assistance,
which provides income support for needy individuals and their families.
For more information on affordable housing options in New York State,
please click here.
"We are pleased to support Governor Cuomo's help desk program to assist hurricane victims as they arrive in JFK," said Robin Hayes, president and chief executive officer, JetBlue. "We
commend the Governor's efforts to take action after these devastating
hurricanes. As New York's Hometown Airline and the largest airline in
Puerto Rico, we continue with our 100x35JetBlue program to make a
meaningful difference in Puerto Rico's recovery."
Henry Kuykendall, Senior Vice President, Airport Operations-Northeast, Delta Air Lines,
"From transporting supplies and relief personnel to Puerto Rico on our
aircraft to enabling assistance and services for residents of the island
who are arriving in our terminals in New York, Delta is committed to
serving alongside Governor Cuomo in delivering the help needed for
relief and recovery."
SEIU Local 32BJ President Hector Figueroa said,
"I am proud to partner with Governor Cuomo and New York State to
provide real-time assistance to incoming Puerto Ricans and U.S. Virgin
Islanders. This help desk at JFK will offer a one-stop shop for these
passengers entering the country, giving them the information they need
to know their rights and the resources available to them in New York."
Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Rick Cotton said,
"Port Authority stands ready to assist our fellow Americans as they
come to New York through JFK as they seek refuge from the devastation
Hurricane Maria left behind in the Caribbean. I thank Governor Cuomo for
his leadership and I look forward to seeing New Yorkers do what they do
best - help those in need. This help desk serves as a vital information
source for Puerto Ricans and U.S. Virgin Islanders as they come to New
York."
RuthAnne Visnauskas, Commissioner of New York State Homes and Community Renewal said,
"Under Governor Cuomo's leadership, New York State is committed to
doing everything we can to help families arriving from Puerto Rico and
the U.S. Virgin Islands access the resources they need to start
rebuilding their lives. We will provide the tools and support families
need to find accessible, affordable homes and apartments in communities
across the state."
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