BEINEINU NEWS & NOTES

June 20, 2021

ASL Direct Has Help For NY People Who Are Deaf

The Department of Social Services now offers a video phone line called ASL Direct for callers who use American Sign Language. This service is provided by a Deaf & Hard of Hearing Information Specialist at Infoline. Using a video phone, deaf ASL Direct Has Help For People Who Are Deaf callers can contact 347 474- 4231. ASL Direct is available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding holidays. Clients may also email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The service is available to get information about Human Resources Administration services, like SNAP, Cash Assistance or Medicaid; to find out about shelter under the Department of Homeless Services (DHS); or to schedule ASL interpretation services for any HRA or DHS run location. If the ASL Direct agent is unavailable when someone calls, they can leave a video phone message with their question and the call will be returned as soon as possible via video phone. The Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) also has an ASL Direct line for people looking for help with any city service. They can reach MOPD’s videophone line at 646 396- 5830, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding holidays. They may also email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

New NYC Tactile Braille Line Map On Display

A new tactile Braille map of the number 1 line has been installed at the 23rd Street station at the front (north end) of the uptown platform. This map is a horizontal design that uses high color contrast, Braille and raised symbols that indicate the direction of travel. This map serves as a second round of testing based on feedback from the map that was tested as part of the Accessible Station Lab in Fall 2019. Riders can send any questions and feedback to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Day Camp Grant

For 2021 only, qualifying families may be eligible to receive up to $8,000 as a refundable tax credit to cover employment-related childcare expenses including…day camp tuition! The (currently) single-year enhancements to the Child and Dependent Care tax credit were included in the American Rescue Plan Act enacted earlier this year. The changes include a significantly higher tax credit amount and allows qualifying families earning up to $125,000 to receive the 50% tax credit before it begins to phase out. The credit is available when both parents are working or looking for work, and there are special rules when a parent is incapable of caring for themselves or if a parent is a full time student. Please speak to your tax advisor about whether or not the credit applies to your situation. The IRS released an updated FAQ page at www.irs.gov/newsroom/child-and-dependent-care-tax-credit-faqs  

This credit is an addition to the enhancements to the separate Child Tax Credit which will lead to monthly payments for qualifying families beginning July 15th. Those payments will be up to $300 per month for each qualifying child under age 6 and up to $250 per month for each qualifying child ages 6 to 17. More details about that program can be found on the IRS website  at www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-sending-letters-to-more-than-36-million-families-who-may-qualify-for-monthly-child-tax-credits-payments-start-july-15