§ 4-05 Return of Savings.
RCNY § 4-05
Funds in client accounts held by DSS pursuant to this chapter will be returned to individuals or their designees under the following circumstances: (a) Standard Release After Exit: Once a program participant has been out of DHS shelter for thirty (30) consecutive days, DHS will release the funds in their client account, including any interest that has accrued, to the individual, or such other individual or entity that the individual has designated, between thirty (30) and forty-five (45) days after shelter exit. If the client has not provided instructions to DHS as to where and how their funds shall be conveyed to the client or designee, or if funds distributed are returned to DHS as undeliverable or are not taken into possession by the client or designee, DHS will hold the unreturned funds for one year and perform due diligence to locate the individual during that time. Funds that DHS is unable to return within one year of shelter exit will be considered unclaimed and processed in accordance with State law.
(b)Expedited Release After Exit: DHS may release the funds in a program participant's client account, including any interest that has accrued, to the program participant or their designee following their exit from DHS shelter, but before thirty (30) days have passed, at the request of the individual for good cause where DHS has determined that the program participant is unlikely to return to shelter.
(c)Early Release Prior to Exit: DHS may approve early release of funds to a program participant to assist the individual with documented expenses necessary to arrange for permanent housing or, in its discretion and on a case-by-case basis, for reasons other than to arrange for permanent housing. Such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event that funds are released to an individual pursuant to this subdivision, the individual's current amount due will be increased by the amount of the funds that were released. If the program participant wishes to be relieved of the obligation to return such funds to their client account, they may request a one-time adjustment pursuant to 31 RCNY § 4-03(c). (Added City Record 11/15/2019, eff. 12/15/2019)
