Chair Hudson asks about application review steps and client portal updates

What steps does DSS take upon receiving an application for CityFEPS before letting the applicant know if the application has been approved, denied, or requires correction or additional information?

So are you informing somebody immediately?

Like, at what point are they finding out after that six-month period that their application needs correction?

Just a point of clarity.

Thank you for that question.

So a shopping letter is issued to a client.

It's good for six months.

It's automatically updated unless something else happens and they're no longer potentially eligible.

So that's automatically done.

At the point that the application is submitted, the client is in constant communication with their case manager or housing specialist on a biweekly basis.

As we shared earlier also that going forward this October, we will be updating the client portal so that clients can now see real-time status of their application.

So they'll see when it's submitted.

They'll see if it's returned and whether there are any client dependencies that they need to take action on.

Or whether it's something that the provider needs to do, and then at the point that it's being reviewed and approved and ready for checks.

And if I could add, I do think that's a very significant innovation and an important aspect of transparency for the whole process.

I think it will help put a lot of folks'minds at ease.

They'll be able to check it whenever they want.

And as the Executive Deputy Commissioner said, know if they have additional items they have to follow up on, know that we got it, know the exact...

I think it will go a long way.

And even not just transparency, but speeding the process so people can take action more quickly.

So I think it's important and would love everyone's help to get the word out that that will be available.

We'll do our part as well.

I think it's a game changer.