Welcome to the Advocacy Resource Center (ARC)
The Advocacy Resource center (ARC) at QCC is working to fight food insecurity on campus this May and June! ARC will be distributing free fresh fruits, vegetables and other perishable items through CUNY's Fresh Food Bag Program:
- When: every Thursday, beginning May 4th and ending on June 29th (excluding June 1st)
- Time: 12:00pm-2:00pm
- Location: Administration Building, 1st Floor (in front of QCC food Pantry)
**Note: No RSVP necessary, prepacked bags will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
At ARC we are committed to providing great services to our students and their family members for free. Here you will find information about the services we offer and the tools provided to help students succeed at Queensborough Community College.
Benefits
- SNAP (food stamps)
- Student eligibility rules have been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If interested in applying, please contact us for a benefit screening appointment.
- Cash Assistance
- Unemployment Benefits
- Fair Fares NYC
-
Need help with transportation costs? Contact us for assistance with applying for the Fair fares program. With the Fair Fares NYC discount, eligible New York City residents can receive a 50% discount on either subway and eligible bus fares, or Access-A-Ride.
-
- Housing Resources and Application Assistance
- The Advocacy Resource Center assists with the following:
- NYCHA/Public Housing Applications and Renewals
- Affordable Housing/ Housing Lotteries through Housing Connect
- Emergency Referrals: NYC shelters and Youth Shelters/Drop-in Centers Referral
- The Advocacy Resource Center assists with the following:
If you or your family are in need of public benefits, please contact our office for assistance.
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday: 9am-5pm
Extended Hours: Wednesdays 9am-6:30pm
Contact Us
Room L-440 (4th floor of the Library Building)
Phone: 718.631.6347
Announcements
» Fresh Food Bag Program:
The Advocacy Resource center (ARC) at QCC is working to fight food insecurity on campus this May and June! ARC will be distributing free fresh fruits, vegetables and other perishable items through CUNY's Fresh Food Bag Program.- This event will take place every Thursday; beginning Thursday, May 4th and ending on June 29th (with the exclusion of June 1st).
- Time: 12:00pm-2:00pm
- Location: Administration Building, 1st Floor (in front of QCC food Pantry)
» Financial Coaching Webinars:
Our partners from the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) will provide six workshops during the spring 2023 semester. In addition, they will provide one-on-one financial counseling sessions to further discuss any of the topics covered. See our Financial Coaching section below for zoom links and more information.
» Shop for Groceries Online with your SNAP Benefits:
Did you know that you can now use your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to shop online for fresh produce and groceries? Participating online stores now accept SNAP benefits for online orders and will deliver to you. Use your EBT card to shop securely for fresh produce and groceries at these participating stores in the New York City area:
**Please Note: SNAP benefits cannot be used to pay delivery fees. In addition, be sure to confirm an online store delivers to your home address.
» WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant and Children)
-
Ready, Set, Grow! Campaign with WIC
- WIC Toolkit:
-
Cash Value Benefit increase and Remote Benefits
-
Cash Value Benefit increase: through the end of September, most WIC moms and kids get $24-47/month to buy fruits and veggies—3-4 times more than before.
-
Remote benefits: WIC waivers and flexibilities associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have been extended through at least mid-October, 2022. WIC agencies are allowed to issue benefits remotely so participants don’t have to pick up their WIC benefits in person. Participants may enroll or re-enroll in WIC without visiting a clinic in person and postpone certain medical tests.
-
-
» NYC Housing Crisis
- At the Advocacy Resource Center at QCC we are committed to helping students facing housing insecurities in any way that we can including:
- Assisting with applications to NYC public housing (NYCHA) and affordable housing (Housing Connect),
- Emergency grants for past due rent for those that meet eligibility criteria,
- Referrals to our partners at the Legal Aid Society for those who are currently in housing court or are facing eviction or foreclosure to learn more on tenant rights and possibly be represented in court
- In emergency situations, we refer students for Temporary Housing (Shelters) that serve their population. These shelters include, but are not limited to:
- Youth shelters and Drop-in centers
- Women Shelters
- Men Shelters
- Family Shelters (application through a Path Intake Center)
- Shelters for students that identify as part of the LGBTQ community
- Domestic Violence Shelters (confidential intake completed over the phone through hotline)
Benefit Screening
Through a series of questions, Coordinators determine which NYC/State/Federal benefits a student and/or their family members are eligible to receive. Once determined, they will assist with the application process. For those already receiving benefits, we can help you manage your case (recertify, submit documents) and advocate on your behalf if you experience difficulties. We want to make the process easy and accessible.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formally known as food stamps)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families and provides economic benefits to communities. The program helps supplement the cost of their groceries with nutritious foods. Seeds and plants, which produce food, may also be purchased. Electronic benefits, that can be used like cash, are issued to purchase foods that can be prepared in the home.
We facilitate the application process, including New applications, Recertifications, Periodic Reports, and Change Reports. We also provide documentation assistance, benefit maintenance, and advocacy when necessary.
Health Insurance
Health Insurance - Affordable Care Act - ACA
Through New York State of Health, the Official Health Plan Marketplace, individuals and families can compare and enroll in health coverage. It is the only place to get financial assistance provided by the federal government to lower the cost of your health coverage. Insurance affordability programs include: Medicaid, Child Health Plus, the Essential Plan, and more. We collaborates with Navigators to assist students with the enrollment process.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Eligible families may receive up to 60 months of federally funded cash assistance under theTemporary Assistance for Needy Families(TANF). Single individuals without children may receive benefits under the New York State Safety Net Program (SNP). If you're eligible you may qualify for additional benefits.
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
This federally funded program is administered by New York State's Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. This seasonal grant is offered to eligible households. It helps low income homeowners and renters with the cost of heating their home. This program also assists homeowners with repairing and replacing heating equipment.
*Households receiving SNAP benefits will automatically receive a HEAP grant each year once you enroll in the HEAP program.
Child Care Assistance Programs (CCAP)
There are many types of child care programs in New York State. Quality programs provide care in a warm, safe and friendly setting. Quality programs provide activities that help children learn and develop. No one type of program is necessarily better than any other type of program. You are the best judge of which program will meet your needs and your child's needs. Stop in our office today and ask about the different childcare options that may be available to you.
Housing Resources
For students seeking housing, clink on the link below to read "Apartment Hunting Tips" to learn about the common ways to find an apartment in New York City:
https://www.nyc.gov/site/hpd/services-and-information/apartment-hunting-tips.page
In addition, before seeking a new place, meet with our Financial Coach to discuss how much you should budget/save to make your move stress free.
WIC Program - Women, Infants, Children
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) provides nutritious foods including: low-fat or fat-free milk, whole grains and cereals, vegetables and fruits, baby food, cheese, peanut butter, beans, and breastfeeding support or formula to low- income pregnant or breastfeeding women, infants and children up to age five.
WIC has been shown to improve the health of pregnant women, new mothers and their infants and children. The foods provided through WIC are a good source of essential nutrients that are often missing from the diets of women and young children.
Food Pantries
Millions of New Yorkers struggle with food insecurity. Additionally, in the nation, 1 out of every 6 Americans experiences hunger.
- To address the need within our student community, Queensborough Community College established a Food Pantry. If you would like to take a bag of groceries home, the Food Pantry is available to help. Please visit us for assistance. QCC Food Pantry
- An off campus, community food pantry is a small front line agency that hands out packages of food, which they receive from food banks, directly to people in need. Students who are having difficulty purchasing groceries may also visit food pantries in their neighborhood. To locate a food pantry or soup kitchen in your community follow one of the links below:
- NYC Food Bank for pantries in NYC.
- Long Island Cares food locator for pantries in Long Island
*You may need to provide a photo ID
Fair Fares NYC
Fair Fares NYC - Reduced Fair MetroCard
Fair Fares NYC is a City program created by Mayor Bill de Blasio, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, and members of the City Council to help low-income New Yorkers with their transportation costs.
With the Fair Fares NYC discount, participating New York City residents can receive a 50% discount on either subway and eligible bus fares, or Access-A-Ride.
Pay-Per-Ride, 7-Day (Weekly) and 30-Day (Monthly) Unlimited Ride options are all available for those using the Fair Fares MetroCard on subways and eligible buses.
Access-A-Ride customers do not use a Fair Fares NYC MetroCard; their discount is applied automatically to their Access-A-Ride trips once their Fair Fares and Access-A-Ride accounts are linked.
Financial Coaching
Our partners from the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) will provide six workshops during the spring 2023 semester. In addition, they will provide one-on-one financial counseling sessions to further discuss any of the topics covered.
Join our interactive Financial Literacy Workshop series to learn about various topics for college students! No registration required just click on the zoom links below at the webinar date and time to join:
______________________________________________________________________________________
1.) Thursday, March 9th, 2023 (12 – 1pm) Financial Literacy Workshop: Financial Stability and Goal-Setting
As a college student you may be wondering, how do I achieve financial stability? Are you eager to learn how you can financially plan for your future? Join us for the first interactive financial literacy workshop conducted by the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG). This workshop will focus on an overview of core areas in financial stability including budgeting, saving money, banking, credit, debt, and taxes. Additional focus will be placed on identifying short, medium & long term goals; applying different models in managing and achieving goals; and planning around obstacles & barriers and building resiliency.
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85326370555?pwd=cUJVZWlyRkRSSmJaY0NHaS9TOEVvZz09
Meeting ID: 853 2637 0555 Passcode: 501956
______________________________________________________________________________________
2.) Thursday, March 16th, 2023 (12-1pm) Financial Literacy Workshop: Budgeting, Managing Money, and Saving
As a college student, you may find yourself struggling with managing your monthly bills. If you would like learning strategies for better control over your income and finances, please join us for an interactive financial literacy workshop conducted by the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG). This workshop will focus on organizing your finances; identifying reductions in expenses; committing to a short, medium, and long-term budget; managing cash flow challenges; guidance on impact of earned income on public benefits; general education on Life Insurance policies; exploring different saving approaches; identifying different savings products and vehicles.
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88439169305?pwd=d1dqQ3MxbHpZYWxFbVdXbFZvT3RiZz09
Meeting ID: 884 3916 9305 Passcode: 822575
______________________________________________________________________________________
3.) Tuesday, March 28th, 2023 (12-1pm) Financial Literacy Workshop: The World of Banking
Have you ever thought, “How do I select the best bank as a college student”? Join "The World of Banking" interactive financial literacy workshop conducted by the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) to learn about different banking financial products; leveraging financial products to maximize benefits; facilitating access to ChexSystems; and disputing errors on ChexSystems.
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82719208765?pwd=dkFkNUZ1dUM5aXJCS1NoSXd5YVVDUT09
Meeting ID: 827 1920 8765 Passcode: 297754
______________________________________________________________________________________
4.) Tuesday, April 18th, 2023 (12-1pm) Financial Literacy Workshop: Introduction to Credit, Credit Scores, and Credit Reports
Tigers, would you like to learn about establishing credit? Do you know your credit scores or how to read a credit report? Join this interactive financial literacy workshop conducted by the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) and learn how to establish credit; gain access to your credit score and read credit reports; strategies on improving credit and credit scores; disputing errors on credit reports.
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84194501480?pwd=YlUxMUYxK0NVZmsyTWdIMVhnK0Z3UT09
Meeting ID: 841 9450 1480 Passcode: 562246
______________________________________________________________________________________
5.) Thursday, April 27th, 2023 (12-1pm) Financial Literacy Workshop: Debt
During this interactive financial literacy workshop conducted by the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG), students will learn about debt repayment strategies and debt mitigation strategies; assistance with dealing with debt collectors; handing ID theft; wage garnishment and frozen bank accounts; student loan repayment options; and guidance on defaulted student loans.
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84858893967?pwd=dnZvN1ZuWDhzV1Nxd0piOHhTRTF4dz09
Meeting ID: 848 5889 3967 Passcode: 303005
______________________________________________________________________________________
6.) Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023 (12-1pm) Financial Literacy Workshop: Taxes
Why do we file taxes? Why is it important to file your taxes on time? Join the interactive financial literacy workshop conducted by the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) to learn the answers to these questions and more. This workshop will focus on a general tax introduction; preparing taxes; guidance on paying tax debt; and developing financial habits and growth mindset.
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81192877709?pwd=VGpETloxU1lhTFBqL1BZYS9HQnFoQT09
Meeting ID: 811 9287 7709 Passcode: 147805
______________________________________________________________________________________
Read more about our partners from the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG): https://nylag.org/financial-empowerment-advocacy/
Interested in a one-on-one session with a Financial Counselor from NYLAG? Complete the form: https://forms.gle/qssoBQznGaYa7UH47
**For assistance with scheduling an appointment please call us at: 718-631-6347 or email ARC@qcc.cuny.edu. Be sure to include your name, phone number, and CUNY ID number.
Tax Services
Welcome to 2023 Tax Season at QCC!
Through our continued partnership with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, the Advocacy Resource Center will provide free tax preparation and filing to students and their family members using the Taxpayer Assistance Program.
Tax Department employees will walk you through your income tax returns, step-by-step, it’s quick and easy!
- In person (Friday) sessions will be reserved for current QCC students that have campus clearance and have uploaded their COVID-19 vaccination verification through CUNY first.
- For those that choose a Wednesday webinar session, please note that these will be conducted virtually through zoom. If you do not already have a zoom account, you may create one here: https://us02web.zoom.us/
- While every person's tax return is different and therefore completion time may vary from person to person, please plan to spend up to two hours completing your return.
**Pre-registration for appointment session is required. For more information or to register please contact us at 718-631-6347 or email at ARC@qcc.cuny.edu
Start preparing by gathering the necessary documents needed to file a tax return:
- Photo ID
- Proof of wages (W2s or 1099) (if you were self-employed make sure you know the total income and expenses for the year)
- Paper or electronic copy of last year's tax returns (2021 return filed in 2022)
- Socials and date of births of dependents you will be claiming
- Bank routing and account number for direct deposit
- 1098T form if you paid tuition out of pocket
- 1095-A form for health insurance or know how many months out of the year you were covered
- If you are claiming childcare, have the child care provider information readily available (exact amount you paid for the year, provider social or tax payer identification number)
Tax Transcripts:
Coordinators can facilitate the process of requesting and obtaining a copy of the student's tax transcript for purposes of the Financial Aid Application (FASFA). If you are in need of your tax transcript, please contact us for assistance.
FREE Legal Services
Legal Services
If you or your immediate family is in need of legal Assistance, please contact us at 718-631-6347 or by email at: ARC@qcc.cuny.edu
We will refer you to an Attorney that will assist with the following for free:
-
Family Law
- legal services to individuals in family and divorce court
-
Immigration
- help with removal defense, affirmative immigration benefits (citizenship, green cards, family-based petitions, etc.), concerns about public charge or with advance planning for non-citizen parents
-
Benefits Eligibility
- wrongfully denied benefits or are struggling to secure or keep health care services or income supports you need
-
Consumer Law
- assist New Yorkers involved in tax disputes and consumer issues
-
And more!
Our Mission and Goals
Mission Statement
The Advocacy Resource Center strives to assist students who face the challenge of having to choose between college and life's demands.We connect students to social service programs and resources to help overcome these obstacles. The program provides 4 main, free services including: benefit screenings, legal services, financial counseling, and tax preparation and filing.
Department Goals
Better utilization of existing resources to assist students in crisis mode.
