General Program Questions

• What do I get if I apply for Work Rewards?
• Who decides which group I get into?
• What is the FSS escrow (savings) account?
• What are the Reward Payments?
• What is the difference between the FSS escrow (savings) account and the Reward Payments?
• Why do all adults in the household have to enroll at the same time?
• If I receive the FSS services and the escrow (saving) account, will I also receive Reward Payments?
• Do I have to attend any more meetings?
• Do I need to renew my registration in the Work Rewards Program at any time?
• Will my SSI Benefits be affected by Reward Payments?
• Can I send my activity coupons and documentation with my own envelope and stamps so that I don’t miss the deadline?

Work Rewards and your Section 8

• If I join Work Rewards, will I lose my Section 8?
• Will money earned through the savings account and the Reward Payments be counted as income for Section 8, food stamps, or welfare?

Eligibility

• Am I eligible to apply for the Work Rewards Program?
• What must I do to be part of this Program (See also Am I eligible to apply for the Work Rewards Program question)?

Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS)

• What do I do to receive my money from the 5-year FSS savings account?
• How much money will be in the escrow (savings) account?

Earning Reward Payments

• For questions related to earning Reward Payments for Full-Time Work, please click here.
  
• For questions related to earning Reward Payments for Work/Training Activities, please click here.

The Opportunity NYC Savings Account and Methods of Payment

• Where can I go to open an ONYC Savings Account?
• Why should I open up an Opportunity NYC Savings Account?
• Can Reward Payments for multiple members of a household be deposited into the same bank account?
• What do I do if I switch bank accounts in the middle of the program?
• Will I receive the $50 bonus payment for getting an Opportunity NYC stored-value card?
• What if I already have a pre-paid (stored-value) card? Can I have my Reward Payment deposited into that card?
• If I start with a stored-value card and then open a bank account later, can I still receive the $50 bonus payment?
• If someone has bad credit and wants to open an Opportunity NYC bank account, can the creditors collect the money owed to them?
• If I owe child support and have a bank account, will the money I received through Opportunity NYC be garnished?

Q: What do I get if I apply for Work Rewards?
A:It depends. If you apply to the program, you will be put into one of two or three groups depending on what kind of voucher you have. A computer makes this choice randomly, like a lottery. Look at the chart below to find out which services are offered for each program group:

HPD FSS Group
If you are randomly selected for the HPD Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Group you will be referred to a nearby community organization where a designated case manager will assist you in setting and achieving your professional and financial goals. Your case manager will also inform you about free employment, financial education and supportive services. If your income from wages goes up as a result of new employment or a career upgrade, HPD will arrange to set you up with an escrow (savings) account that deposits every additional dollar you pay in rent into the account. FSS participants will also have access to specialized HPD staff who can answer general Section 8 and FSS-related questions.

HPD Payments Group
If you are randomly selected for the HPD Payments Group you will receive everything that the Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS) group does. In addition, you will be eligible to earn Reward Payments every two months when you complete and successfully document your full-time work, and/or part-time work and approved training & education activities.

HPD Current Services Group
If you are randomly selected for the Current Services Group you will receive information about other workforce resources in the community (but no Reward Payments).

NYCHA Payments Group
If you are randomly selected for the NYCHA Reward Payments Group, you will be eligible to earn Reward Payments every two months when you complete and successfully document your full-time work, and/or part-time work and approved training & education activities.

NYCHA Current Services Group
If you are randomly selected for the Current Services Group you will receive information about other workforce resources in the community (but no Reward Payments).

Q: Who decides which group I go into?
A: Your name is entered into a computer and the computer makes the decision. It is completely random, similar to the lottery.

Q:What is the FSS escrow (savings) account?
A: This is a savings account set up by HPD that matches every extra dollar you pay in rent when your income from wages goes up. When you get a better job and earn a higher income, the additional money you spend on rent will be placed in a bank account for you. This savings account is interest-bearing. After five years, all of the money in this account and the interest is yours.

Q:What are the Reward Payments?
A: If you get placed in a group that offers Reward Payments, you can earn up to $3,000 in one year. If you maintain full-time employment, you can earn $300 every two months just by sending in your Full-time Work coupon and the supporting documentation. If you work at least 10 hours per week while also completing an approved education or training course, you can earn up to $600 every two months by submitting the Work and Training coupon. These payments will be placed directly in your bank account for you, and they will not count toward your income eligibility for your Section 8, food stamps, or public assistance.

Q:What is the difference between the FSS escrow (savings) account and the Reward Payments?
A: They are two separate parts of the Work Rewards Program that depend on which group you are assigned to. If you are assigned to the HPD FSS Group or the HPD Payments Group you are eligible to receive free community-based employment, education, and training services plus an escrow (savings) account you can use at the end of 5 years, or for approved purposes before 5 years. Only people who are assigned to the HPD Payment or NYCHA Payment Groups will be able to earn Reward Payments every other month. Payments are made to people employed full-time and/or who have successfully completed an approved education/training course while working at least 10 hours a week.

Q:Why do all adults in a household have to enroll at the same time?
A: Adults may not be added to your household after enrollment has occurred. This means that if your household is selected to receive Reward Payments (as part of the HPD or NYCHA Payment Groups), and you had eligible adults living your household who chose not to apply, they will not have the opportunity to enroll at a later date.

Q:If I receive the FSS services and the escrow (saving) account, will I also receive Reward Payments?
A: It depends. If you are in the HPD FSS Group, you only receive the employment, education, and training services plus an escrow (savings) account. If you are in the HPD Payments Group, you can receive the employment, education, and training services, the escrow account and the Reward Payments.

Q:Do I have to attend any more meetings?
A: If you are assigned to the HPD Payments Group or the NYCHA Payment Group you will need to attend an initial orientation session. While no further meetings are required, your Work Rewards service provider organization will be available to answer your program questions and to assist you in setting and achieving your goals.

Q:Do I need to renew my registration in the Work Rewards program at any time?
A: No

Q: Will my SSI benefits be affected by Reward Payments?
A: It depends. Click here to learn important information about what you should consider before enrolling in Work Rewards if you currently receive SSI benefits.

Q: Can I send my activity coupons and documentation with my own envelope and stamps so that I don’t miss the deadline?
A: Yes. You can send your coupons this way although we strongly recommend that you use the pre-stamped, preaddressed envelope Opportunity NYC Work Rewards provides. Be sure to submit all coupons, completed forms, and documents in one envelope/package to the following address:

Q: If I join Work Rewards, will I lose my Section 8?
A: As long as you meet regular Section 8 requirements, such as housing inspections and annual recertification, you should not lose your Section 8 subsidy.

Q: Will money earned through the savings account and the Reward Payments be counted as income for Section 8, food stamps, or welfare?
A: No. You must report money that you receive from your FSS escrow (savings) account and from the Reward Payment, but it will not be counted as income.

Q: Am I eligible to apply for the Work Rewards Program?
A: If you are currently receiving NYCHA or HPD Section 8, you may be eligible to apply for the Work Rewards Program. You must be 18 years old or older, at or below 130% of the poverty level, and a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident. Applying individuals cannot be part of the Opportunity NYC Family Rewards Program. Each eligible adult member of your household must be present at the time of enrollment to sign the Agreement to Participate Form. Also, if you are in an HPD Section 8 voucher holder you must have recertified within the last 120 days to be eligible. See chart for income eligibility details:

Q: What must I do to be part of this Program?
A: To have a chance at being assigned to one of the groups you must meet the eligibility criteria described in the question above. All adults enrolling will need to come in to one of our Neighborhood Partner Organizations and provide proof of identity and citizenship, sign a form to agree to be a part of the Opportunity NYC Work Rewards study, and complete a short intake interview. All interested adults living in the same household will all need to come in at the same time.

Also, if you are assigned to the HPD or NYCHA Payments Groups and want to receive your Reward Payments you must fill out forms providing information about your full-time employment and/or successful completion of an approved education or training program. Examples of documentation include official pay stubs and education/training transcripts. If you are selected for one of the Payments Groups, you will learn more later about what you must submit to earn the reward payments.

Q: What do I do to receive my money from the 5-year FSS savings account?
A: If you are in the HPD FSS Group or the HPD Payments Group, in order to receive your money from the savings account at the end of 5 years you must demonstrate that everyone in your household has been off of cash assistance for at least 1 year and be employed full-time or actively seeking employment. You will be able to access your money sooner if you want to use it for certain approved purposes. For example, if you need extra money for tuition payments, you can receive early disbursement.

Q: How much money will be in the escrow (savings) account?
A: As your income goes up your rent does too - but the good news is that for every extra dollar you pay in rent, a dollar is put in your savings account. The money stays in the savings account for 5 years earning interest. Then it’s yours- so long as you have not been on cash assistance in the past year and you are employed or actively seeking employment. If you need money before five years has passed to help you achieve your goals (for example, tuition payments), you may be able to get your money early.

Q: Where can I go to open an ONYC Savings Account?
A: Please click here for a list of participating bank/credit union branches where ONYC accounts can be opened.
Please note: You must bring your Account Information Form to one of the listed participating bank/credit union branch locations.

Q: Why should I open up an Opportunity NYC Savings Account?
A: There are many advantages to opening an Opportunity NYC account with one of our partner banks and credit unions. The Opportunity NYC Account is:

1. Basic and safe – the Opportunity NYC account is designed to allow you to deposit and withdraw funds from a mainstream financial institution without facing the growing and costly problem of “overdraft fees” from insufficient funds.
2. Accessible – No opening deposit is required to open the Opportunity NYC account. Additionally, because of the commitment of the banks and credit unions participating in the program, the Opportunity NYC account is particularly attractive to people who may never have had an account before or have had problems with banks or credit unions in the past.
3. Convenient – Although it doesn’t provide checks or a debit card, the Opportunity NYC account does provide an ATM card. This means you can access your funds from a variety of banks, credit unions and ATM machines, and use for purchases from some stores.
4. Protects from fees - There are no monthly fees for maintaining the Opportunity NYC account; and again, overdraft fees are unlikely to occur. Additionally, fees will be waived for at least 4 transactions per month if using an ATM machine other than that of your own bank or credit union.
5. A Starting point for future growth – The Opportunity NYC account is a stepping stone to further bank or credit union products. Developing even a small amount of savings can help manage small emergencies and open up doors to improving your finances. Maintaining a positive balance can assist your credit and eligibility for financial products with better terms and rates, such as loans and credit cards, and can help you maximize your earnings.

Q: Can Reward Payments for multiple members of a household be deposited into the same bank account?
A: No. Every enrolled adult in your household must have his/her own bank account for rewards earned by each individual. Each adult must complete and submit a separate Account Information Form.

Q: What do I do if I switch bank accounts in the middle of the program?
A: It is highly recommended that you open an Opportunity NYC savings account to use for Reward Payments and that you keep the same account for the life of the Work Rewards Program. If you do need to switch the account on record for any reason, you MUST submit accurate new bank account information at least 30 days before the payment date.

Q: Will I receive the $50 bonus payment for getting an Opportunity NYC stored-value card?
A: No, you will not be eligible for a $50 bonus payment if you choose to open an ONYC stored value card. Please note: Each time you use your stored-value card you will be charged a fee. You are also charged a separate monthly fee. For this reason, it is encouraged that you consider opening an Opportunity NYC savings account or using an existing account for Reward Payments.

Q: What if I already have a pre-paid (stored-value) card? Can I have my Reward Payment deposited into that card?
A: No. Unfortunately we are unable to deposit funds into other pre-paid or stored-value cards. If you would like to have your Rewards Payments deposited into a stored-value card, you need to apply for the Opportunity NYC stored-value card at the community organization where you received your Orientation.

Q: If I start with a stored-value card and then open a bank account later, can I still receive the $50 bonus payment?
A: While it is encouraged that you open a free Opportunity NYC savings account or provide information on an existing account, you can earn a bonus payment if you decide to open a bank account later. You must submit an updated Account Information Form with that new account information. As part of the Opportunity NYC Work Rewards Program, we want to help you get "banked" easily. Participating banks and credit unions throughout the City are offering basic savings accounts that protect you from costly fees. An Opportunity NYC basic account is the first step in protecting and managing your money.

Q: If someone has bad credit and wants to open an Opportunity NYC bank account, can the creditors collect the money owed to them?
A: That depends. Every individual has a different case, so it is not possible to know whether a creditor can garnish money from your bank account. If you have questions related to bad credit or debt, there are places you can go for counseling. In the meantime, we suggest that you visit the Neighborhood Economic Development Advocacy Project website to learn more about your options. Just because you have bad credit does not mean that a creditor will definitely take the money owed to them directly from your account. In some cases, the creditor will not seek to collect the money owed, but your credit score will suffer.

If you are concerned about money being collected from your account, you may choose the stored-value card option.

NOTE: The money you earn through Opportunity NYC provides you a great opportunity to reduce or get rid of debt. Take advantage of this extra money and clear your debt or bad credit!

Q: If I owe child support and have a bank account, will the money I received through Opportunity NYC be garnished?
A: Perhaps. If you owe child support and have a bank or credit union account, it is possible for the state to garnish money from your account to pay off your custody support arrears.

NOTE: The money you earn through Opportunity NYC provides you a great opportunity to reduce or get rid of debt. Take advantage of this extra money to pay off your custody arrears.