Our Time Press- Restoration Plaza’s Single Stop provides social services on-site

Local residents struggling to get by are quietly learning that tucked away in Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Plaza is an organization authorized to sign you up for food stamps and Medicaid, as well as provide assistance on all kinds of housing issues. In many cases, a visit to Single Stop on the fourth floor at Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration, or a visit to their unmarked storefront office inside the plaza at 1368 Fulton Street could replace the time-consuming task of standing in line at one of the city’s Human Resources Administration (HRA) buildings to obtain these same benefits. “Along with providing overall case management services on-site, we are capable of completing food stamp applications electronically with immediate submission to HRA,” said Single Stop Social Services Manager Blaine Arthur. “We also do on-site health insurance enrollment, provide knowledge of low-income housing availability, assist in completing applications for many benefits such as HEAP, Section 8, SSI, SSD, unemployment insurance benefits, tax credits, child care vouchers, WIC, one-shot deals, Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE), Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE), as well as home weatherization referrals for energy efficiency and general public assistance.” 
According to the state Department of Labor, unemployment in the borough overall is 11 percent, and it’s... click here to read more from Our Time Press!