Curran Signs Nassau County Homeowners Relief Legislation Into Law

MINEOLA, NY — Nassau County Executive Laura Curran on Wednesday signed into law legislation that will provide direct, one-time payments of $375 to qualifying households.

Under the Democrat's plan — dubbed the Nassau County Homeowner Assistance Program — the Curran administration will use federal pandemic funding to help up to 400,000 homeowners and renters who have experienced financial hardships due to COVID-19. The county will spend $100 million of the $200 million it's getting this year from the federal American Rescue Plan to finance the program.

"As County Executive, I've been committed to delivering relief to Nassau residents and businesses as we continue to recover from the impact of the pandemic," Curran said.

"These direct payments will not only help those who continue to struggle, but also provide a meaningful boost to our local economy," she continued. "I encourage residents to spend this money in our main streets and support local businesses."

The Household Assistance Program (HAP) Portal will be available to residents, beginning Thursday at 9 a.m.

Households currently receiving Enhanced STAR, Disability & Limited Income, and/or Senior property tax exemptions will automatically receive checks by mail and do not need to file an application, according to officials. All other households must file an application in order to receive a HAP check.

Residents making below $168,900 will only need to verify income and residency eligibility in their applications with a 2020 tax return. Those making between $168,900 and $500,000 will be required to submit an application with documentation verifying income and a negative economic impact from the pandemic, such as:

• unemployment (e.g., receipt of unemployment benefits during 2020);
• food or housing insecurity (e.g., receipt of social services benefits, missed mortgage payments, utility arrears, eviction notices);
• unreimbursed medical bills (e.g., behavioral health costs brought on by the pandemic);
• increased child-care expenses
• COVID-19-related death expenses; or
• unreimbursed remote learning/work expenses including increased internet costs.

Those experiencing technical issues or who need in-person support will be able to make an appointment through the county's HAP call center, beginning Tuesday, Oct. 12 by calling 516-571-1555.

According to officials, HAP support centers will be located at the Boost Nassau Resource Center, Eisenhower Park; 60 Charles Lindberg Blvd., Uniondale; 40 Main St., Hempstead; and 1 West St., Mineola.

The county executive signed the measure two days after the Republican-controlled legislature voted 18-1 to approve the plan — ending months of stalling during which conservatives questioned its legality.

Curran, who is seeking re-election against Republican Bruce Blakeman in November, first introduced her proposal in the spring. For months, Republican lawmakers pushed back on the plan, raising doubts about how the funds would be allocated.

Deputy Presiding Officer Howard Kopel (R-Lawrence), the lone no vote, called the program an irresponsible use of federal funds, according to Bloomberg.

"The money could be directed elsewhere, whether it is to pay off debts, or improve the roads, or any other any number of county needs that are critical for the residents," he said, per the news outlet. "$375 is not a night at a good restaurant, but it's not much more than that for most people."

Soon after the legislation was signed into law, County Legislator Arnold W. Drucker (D-Plainview) said in a statement: "These checks are nothing to scoff at — they will help working- and middle-class families stock up on groceries, purchase school supplies for their children and pay bills they may have fallen behind on during the pandemic."