Community Service Society of New York

If you are losing your Essential Plan 200-250 health insurance coverage, Community Health Advocates (CHA) can help.

CHA can inform you about:
- Insurance eligibility and options
- Referrals for enrollment (and continuity of care rights if switching
to a new plan)
- Where to find low-cost care
- Resolving medical debt
- Your rights for seeking treatment in emergency situations

You can reach CHA:
- Call our toll-free statewide Helpline (888-614-5400, option 3)
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Find local help from a CHA Advocate in your community: https://communityhealthadvocates.org/agency-finder/

Behind every statistic is a person trying to make ends meet, keep a roof over their head, or get the health care they need.

For years, NYC Benefits has helped New Yorkers navigate complicated systems and connect with critical resources. Without it, many people would face even greater challenges accessing the support they’re entitled to.

If NYC Benefits has helped you, someone you know, or if you believe every New Yorker deserves access to these services, now is the time to speak up.

📝Visit cssny.us/SAVENYCBENEFITS and add your name to the petition.
🔁 Share this post to help spread the word.

Every signature helps, and every share brings us one step closer to protecting this resource for the people who depend on it.

We recently came together to celebrate the incredible volunteers who show up for our communities every single day. Whether they’re helping New Yorkers access benefits or offering financial coaching, their impact is real—and it’s felt across our city and state.
Some volunteers, like Bethene and Linda, have been with us for 20 years (amazing, right?). We’re so grateful for each and every one of them.

Want to be part? Reach out to us at [email protected]

Our communities diverse
Our neighborhoods vibrant
Our city comes alive
Knicks in fiveeeee!!!!

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Victor Bach, a legendary leader in the affordable housing field who served as a senior housing analyst and Director of Housing Policy at CSS for 35 years, dedicating his career to advancing housing justice for New Yorkers with low incomes. A brilliant researcher and tireless advocate, he authored groundbreaking reports on homelessness, rent burden, and public housing, helping to shape critical conversations and policy decisions across New York City and beyond.

Vic shed light on the housing conditions of the city’s lowest income residents and worked with community leaders and grassroots organizations to preserve tenant protections and fight back against efforts to de-regulate public housing. Few housing leaders have done more to engage residents, standing with them and behind them in their fight for housing justice.

Throughout his tenure, he mentored a generation of housing analysts and advocates, leaving an indelible mark on the field. And because of him, CSS can boast of having some of the finest housing analysts in New York.

CSS is proud and grateful for all of Vic’s contributions, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Volunteer Fair brought great energy on site last week! Seniors explored meaningful volunteer opportunities, connected with local nonprofits, and learned how their time and experience can make a real difference across New York City.

Through RSVP, adults 55+ are matched with volunteer roles that support communities—from nonprofit programs to healthcare settings.

Seniors ready to give back can join our team by emailing [email protected]. And if you have an older adult in your life, share this opportunity with them so they can get involved, too.

Under current law, cities must run expensive, time consuming surveys to prove vacancy rates are below 5% before they can opt into rent stabilization. Many smaller or under-resourced local governments simply can’t afford this—and when they try, landlords often challenge the results in court, dragging out the process and blocking protections.

Even when the need is clear, action gets delayed. The REST Act would fix this by letting cities use existing public data, so they can move faster and actually protect renters.

Visit the link in the comments to read our new brief!