Housing and Residential Questions
Answer: SFC’s housing and residential support programs are licensed and funded by the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH). The OMH has established certain criteria for placement in our residential programs. Candidates must have a designated mental health condition[1] and at least one of the following:
- Enrollment in the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program(s) due to a designated mental health condition; or
- An “extended impairment in functioning” due to a designated mental health condition; or
- A reliance on psychiatric treatment, rehabilitation and supports
Please note these criteria are not exhaustive. If you are uncertain of your eligibility or wish to discuss it further please feel free to contact us through the corresponding link on our website or via phone at (914) 428-5600.
[1] Designated mental health conditions include Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Psychotic Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and any other mental health condition(s) for which a candidate receives federal disability (Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income) benefits.
Answer: SFC and other providers of OMH-licensed and funded residential services receive referrals through a Single Point of Access (SPOA). The SPOA was established in order to ensure scarce housing and residential support resources are allocated to individuals for whom the need is greatest.[2] Each county maintains a Department of Community Mental Health (or its equivalent) that administers a SPOA on behalf of the OMH.
Westchester County residents may apply for our services through the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH). The application and additional information may be accessed through the County website at https://mentalhealth.westchestergov.com/application-for-services-spoa
This application may also be accessed through the corresponding link on our agency website or via phone at (914) 428-5600.
Putnam County residents may apply for our services through the Putnam County Department of Social Services and Mental Health. The application and additional information may be accessed through the County website at:
http://www.putnamcountyny.com/social-services/spoaapp/
This application may also be accessed through the corresponding link on our agency website or via phone at (914) 428-5600.
[2] County SPOA Coordinators evaluate candidates’ need according to several factors that include, but are not limited to: current housing status (i.e., housed vs. homeless); service utilization history – specifically the use of inpatient hospital and emergency department services; and presence of acute symptoms or psychosocial stressors, among others.
Answer: SFC offers different types of housing and residential support services designed to meet the diverse needs of its clientele, and costs vary accordingly.
The agency’s Community Residential (CR) and Apartment Treatment Program (ATP) provide supervised and semi-supervised living accommodations and include a variety of rehabilitative support services designed to promote residents’ stability and self-sufficiency. Residency fees for these programs include two components, a monthly “room and board” fee and a fee for rehabilitative services provided by agency personnel. These fees are established by the OMH in conjunction with other state and federal authorities.
The current (2018) room and board fee for the agency’s CR and ATP programs in Westchester County is $1,019.00 per month.
The current (2018) room and board fee for the agency’s CR and ATP programs in Putnam County is $989.00 per month.
A vast majority of our residents receive publicly-funded financial benefits (e.g., SSDI, SSI, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), etc.) that cover the cost of their room and board and provide additional funds for incidental expenses they might incur.
Fees for rehabilitative services are customarily covered by the New York State Medical Assistance Program (i.e., Medicaid). Therefore, candidates must have and/or have been determined eligible for Medical Assistance benefits prior to placement in the CR or ATP programs.
SFC also supports a vast network of Scattered-Site Supportive Housing units (also known as “Supported Housing”) that generally provide independent residential accommodations in studio- and one-bedroom rental units along with rent subsidies and care management services. Occupants of these housing units apply 30% of their monthly adjusted net income toward their housing expense and retain the balance to meet other expenses. The agency subsidizes the difference between tenant contributions and the actual (i.e., market) rent of their housing units. This program does not receive reimbursement through the Medical Assistance program. Therefore, eligibility for Medical Assistance program is not a prerequisite for placement in Scattered-Site Supportive Housing.