By Aliss HighamShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberNew York State has now mailed more than 8.2 million inflation refund checks to residents across the state, according to Governor Kathy Hochul.
Governor Hochul secured the Inflation Refund Check initiative in the FY 2026 State Budget, setting aside $2.2 billion to help New Yorkers manage rising costs. Over the past two months, checks of up to $400 have been sent to eligible taxpayers.
While most have already gone out, officials say smaller batches will continue in the coming weeks as more people are confirmed to qualify.
Why It Matters
The move is one of a series of initiatives by the governor aimed at addressing the state's affordability crisis. These also include middle-class tax cuts, expansion of the Child Tax Credit and free school meals.
What To Know
Eligibility for the refund is tied to 2023 state tax returns. Residents must have filed their taxes for that year and cannot be listed as dependents on someone else’s return. Those who file late may still qualify once their returns are processed. Payments also vary by income, with the goal of directing more support to people with lower or moderate earnings.
A single filer earning up to $75,000 in 2023 would receive $200. Someone filing alone who earned more than $75,000, but not more than $150,000” is set to receive $150. Joint filers—including qualifying surviving spouses—receive the highest amounts: $400 for couples earning $150,000 or less, and $300 for those making more than $150,000, but not more than $300,000.
If you qualify for a payment, you do not need to do anything; the state will automatically send you a check.
...Every region of New York has received funds, and more than 8.21 million residents have received their share of just over $2 billion. New York City saw the largest share: 3,536,000 people received checks totaling $828.8 million.
Other areas have seen millions receiving checks, including the Mid-Hudson area with 924,000 recipients and $234.2 million in payments, and Long Island with 1,251,000 people receiving $316.4 million. Western New York saw 585,000 beneficiaries receiving $152.7 million, while the Capital Region received $122.8 million across 475,000 recipients. In the Southern Tier, $66.7 million has been distributed across 251,000 residents and the North Country had $42.4 million handed out to 156,000 residents.
What People Are Saying
Governor Hochul said in a press release issued on November 25: "Today marks the day that over 8.2 million inflation refund checks have been mailed out, putting money back into the pockets of individuals across the state. We followed through on our commitment to deliver meaningful relief to hard-working New Yorkers, and will continue, every day, to look for additional opportunities to deal with the nation’s ongoing affordability challenge."
What Happens Next
Hochul's office said "checks will continue to be mailed in small numbers in the weeks ahead as the State Tax Department determines that additional taxpayers are eligible."
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