Money in Your Pockets: Governor Hochul Highlights New Affordability Initiatives for Families and Announces Investment in New Bronx Maternal Health Center

Governor Kathy Hochul today met with new moms and families to highlight new affordability initiatives that will put thousands of dollars back in the pockets of families across New York. Starting in January, families statewide can start filing for up to $1,000 per child under the Governor’s historic expansion of New York’s child tax credit, which will benefit more than 1.6 million families. Additionally, the Governor launched New York’s new “Birth Allowance for Beginning Year” (BABY) Benefit, a nation-leading initiative to provide $1,800 to thousands of eligible families across New York upon the birth of a new baby, providing additional support to vulnerable households.

The Governor also announced a new $5 million investment to help build a new maternal health care center in the Bronx, as part of broader statewide efforts to continue expanding access to affordable maternal health care. The new Bronx birthing center will provide a home-like setting for labor, delivery, and postpartum care. It will also provide health services before, during, and after birth where care is provided through a midwifery, wellness, and collaborative care model.

In addition to the Governor’s record level investments in maternal health care statewide, she also took significant action last year to expand affordable access to doula services.

“I’ll never stop working to make life more affordable for new moms and families across New York,” Governor Hochul said. “That’s why I’m continuing to put more money back in New Yorkers’ pockets, expand access to affordable maternal health care, and deliver more of the resources families need to grow and succeed.”

Expanded Child Tax Credit for 1.6 Million Families

Governor Hochul fought for and secured the largest expansion of New York’s child tax credit in state history. As a result of that expansion, starting in January, more than 1.6 million families can file for a child tax credit of up to $1,000 per child under age four. Families in 2026 will also continue to receive a child tax credit of up to $330 per child between ages 4-16.

As part of the Governor’s expansion, in 2027 the tax credit for children ages 4-16 will also be increased to $500 per child. These increases are projected to benefit more than 2.75 million children statewide, assisting families with young children across the income spectrum.

Governor Hochul’s expansion of the credit will double the size of the average credit going out to families from $472 to $943, providing relief to low-income and middle-income households. A family of four with a toddler and school-age child, earning up to $110,000, would receive a $1,500 annual credit, nearly $1,000 more than under the current program. Even a family of four with an income of $170,000, which was previously ineligible, would receive over $500 per year. The Governor’s actions also removed the credit’s minimum income requirement, eliminating a longstanding provision that excluded New York’s poorest families from accessing the maximum credit, so that those families can now receive the maximum credit as fully refundable.

Eligible New Yorkers will be able to claim the expanded Child Tax Credit as part of the normal tax return filing process in 2026. Tax season opens at the end of January.

New Baby Benefit for the Most Vulnerable Families

As part of her affordability agenda, the Governor also fought for and secured a new BABY Benefit — a one-time $1,800 benefit at birth for New Yorkers who receive Public Assistance when they have a new baby. This nation-leading initiative will provide vital assistance to families at a critical time, helping support new parents, improve infant health, and reduce childhood poverty.

Administered by the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the BABY Benefit will help thousands of new under-resourced parents across New York meet vital needs during a crucial period in their lives. This essential funding will help families pay for baby essentials — such as diapers, safe-sleep items, and clothing — and ease the financial burden associated with caring for a new baby. This investment builds upon Governor Hochul’s longstanding commitment to supporting pregnant individuals, new parents, and infants, fostering a stronger and more stable foundation for both parents and children by putting more money in the pockets of families to pay for critical items their new baby needs.

The child tax credit expansion and BABY Benefit are part of $2.2 billion in landmark new investments Governor Hochul secured to support New York’s families and children as part of her agenda to make New York the best, most affordable place to start and raise a family.

Expanding Access to Affordable Maternal Health Care

In the Bronx, the Maryam Reproductive Health + Wellness provides comprehensive gynecological care services such as reproductive health, bodywork modalities, lactation and feeding support, and community workshops. This extends to include lifestyle counseling and family planning to help people make informed choices, STI testing and treatment, breast health evaluations, and expert guidance on managing menopause, tending to their client’s overall well-being, with considerations to their mental health support, pelvic floor health, addressing physical and emotional needs to enhance the quality of life for individuals and the community.

Under Governor Kathy Hochul’s leadership, New York State is taking steps to improve maternal mental health. Earlier this month, Governor Hochul announced the release of New York’s first-ever maternal mental health report detailing the challenges pregnant women are facing and recommendations for improvements statewide. In addition to the report, the state also made available funding to help OBGYN and family medicine practices support perinatal pregnant women with behavioral health needs and is hosting a series of virtual roundtables to discuss maternal mental health issues. The state is also developing specialized training for counselors staffing the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, so they can better provide compassionate care, support, and necessary resources to birthing parents who experience mental health distress. The state expanded Project TEACH so that a wider range of front-line practitioners — including therapists, lactation consultants, WIC staff, home visiting nurses and others — can provide mental health support to pregnant and postpartum New Yorkers. OMH has also expanded HealthySteps, an evidence-based prevention program that integrates behavioral health specialists in pediatric practices to address the social and emotional well-being of young children and their families, to incorporate 125 sites statewide.

Governor Hochul has made critical investments in pregnancy care for New Yorkers. In 2022, Governor Hochul expanded Medicaid coverage from 60 days postpartum to one year postpartum, regardless of immigration status. Governor Hochul has also expanded access for doula care by giving all Medicaid enrollees coverage for doula services when they are pregnant, birthing, or postpartum. The Governor further expanded access to these services by creating a doula directory, and creating a doula expansion grant program. In January 2025, New York became the first state in the nation to offer “prenatal leave,” 20 hours of paid leave available for all employees in the private sector to use for any pregnancy-related medical care.

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State has greatly expanded the resources available to families with young children, so parents are better able to provide for their children both economically and emotionally. These evidence-based investments will improve maternal well-being and positive child development. The BABY Benefit will provide economic support for parents of infants to reduce economic hardship and help ensure a better foundation for both parent and child. This investment along with the Governor’s historic expansion of the Empire State Child Tax Credit are critical actions to reduce childhood poverty in New York and improve long-term health, education, and employment outcomes for New York families.”

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “I thank Governor Hochul for always prioritizing the needs of New York families and ensuring that real resources are put directly in their hands. From the expanded Child Tax Credit to the BABY Benefit and now the new maternal health center in the Bronx, these initiatives will expand access to care, support maternal and child health and provide families with the financial security they need to thrive.”

New York State Tax Department Acting Commissioner Amanda Hiller said, “The Empire State Child Credit is a proven accountable way of delivering vital support to New York families. By expanding this refundable credit, Governor Hochul is helping to lift more children out of poverty.”

New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, “We know that socioeconomic factors can have a significant impact on the mental health of new parents and can play a huge role in the growth and development of their child. These supports represent a commonsense approach to maternal mental health and achieving better outcomes both today and later in life. Governor Hochul’s focus on prenatal and postpartum supports will help us eliminate past inequities and usher in a healthier future for parents and their children.”

Representative Ritchie Torres said, “Every parent in the Bronx should be able to raise a child with stability and good care. The Governor’s plan will put dollars back in the pockets of families and strengthen maternal health care in our borough. It’s real help for moms, babies, and families, and I’m grateful for her commitment to the Bronx.”

State Senator Gustavo Rivera said, “Governor Hochul is providing much needed relief to countless New York families deeply affected by the affordability crisis. From the expansion of the child tax credit to the BABY Benefit for eligible new families, it is a sound investment in our State’s future to support and uplift families. I’m thankful to the Governor for the $5 million to build a new maternal health care center in the Bronx, where soon-to-be moms will be able to receive affordable care before, during and after birth, including the opportunity of giving birth in a safe, home-like setting.”

State Senator Jamaal T. Bailey said, “New York families face enormous financial pressures during pregnancy and early childhood, and too often the cost of essential care puts vital support out of reach. The expansion of the Child Tax Credit, the nation’s first BABY Benefit, and the investment in a new Bronx birthing center represent critical steps toward easing those burdens. Strengthening maternal health services statewide will not only improve access to quality care but provide families with the stability and support they need during the most vulnerable moments of their lives. I am incredibly grateful to Governor Hochul for her leadership and commitment to making New York a more affordable and supportive place to raise a family and look forward to seeing the prosperous future of New York’s family support systems”

State Senator Luis R. Sepúlveda said, “Today we celebrate historic advances that will directly support families across our state. The expansion of the Child Tax Credit, the creation of the BABY Benefit, and the investment toward a new maternal health care center in the Bronx represent tangible relief for those who need it most. This new health center will be especially transformative in the Bronx, where maternal health outcomes are dire. The borough’s maternal mortality rate has been documented at 36.2 deaths per 100,000 live births, far above the citywide average. Black women face particularly staggering risk. In prior years, Black mothers in New York City (including the Bronx) experienced a mortality rate of 51.0 per 100,000, more than double the citywide average. These initiatives, driven by Governor Hochul, reflect our commitment to confronting persistent racial inequities in maternal health, ensuring every child in New York has a dignified start, and that no parent faces the challenges of birth and child-rearing alone. As a legislator representing one of the State’s poorest districts, I am proud to fully support Governor Hochul’s agenda, which prioritizes equity, health, and the well-being of our communities. I will continue fighting to ensure that every family in the Bronx and across New York has access to essential resources, from comprehensive medical care to meaningful economic support. This is another step toward building a state where every New Yorker can thrive from day one.”

State Senator Robert Jackson said, “When a state chooses to invest in its children, it is choosing its future. I commend the Governor for advancing these investments, which reflect a clear understanding of what families in our communities have been saying for years: affordability is not abstract — it begins at home, in the earliest days of a child’s life. From the expansion of the child tax credit to the new BABY Benefit, to a maternal health center in the Bronx rooted in community and compassion —- this is the government stepping up where it matters most. These are not gestures; they are justice in action. For too long, the cost of raising a family in New York has fallen hardest on those already stretched thin. Today, we begin to turn that tide — by putting money back in parents’ pockets, honoring the sacred start of life, and ensuring every child and every parent gets the foundation they deserve.”

State Senator Nathalia Fernandez said, “The Governor’s expansion of the child tax credit and the new BABY Benefit puts meaningful support directly into the hands of parents, including those with the greatest need. Paired with an investment in a new maternal health center, Governor Hochul is providing mothers and newborns in the Bronx with the care and dignity every community deserves. This is how we build a stronger foundation for new families.”

Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie said, “Putting the families of New York first has been a priority for Governor Kathy Hochul as well as the Assembly Majority. This commitment has created an increase in measures that have a significant impact on healthcare, specifically Maternal health. Labor, delivery, and postpartum care are not one size fits all issues; they require hands-on care and options tailored to accommodate families of all shapes and sizes. These investments will expand accessibility to great care while also providing benefits to the most vulnerable in our communities, assisting them during the most critical stage of an infant’s life. Thank you to Governor Hochul for her unwavering commitment to the Bronx and the entire state.”

Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz said, “This $5 million investment will allow Bronx residents to receive affordable health care before, during, and after birth. We can not continue to overlook the needs of pregnant New Yorkers anymore as Bronx families struggle to find local and affordable health care. I believe this much-needed expansion of health care resources will bring us one step closer to healthier families and stronger communities. This announcement is essential to strengthening maternal health care in New York State and I thank Governor Hochul for securing this critical funding.”

Assemblymember George Alvarez said, “In Assembly District 78, where too many families are struggling to make ends meet, Governor Hochul's strong affordability strategy will have a real, immediate impact. Expanding the child tax credit and establishing the revolutionary BABY benefit would provide thousands of parents in our community with the financial assistance they deserve. With a district that is made up of young families, immigrants, and low-income households, these initiatives will put money back into kitchen-table budgets, promote healthy neonatal starts, and reinforce the basis of our community. I am especially grateful for the Governor's dedication to maternal health in the Bronx because every parent deserves to receive safe, compassionate care. Today, we demonstrate that New York believes in its families, and Assembly District 78 is ready to thrive.”

Assemblymember Emérita Torres said, “As a mom of two kids under 3, I am confident that these bold, new investments will deliver meaningful, life-changing support for families across New York. The expansion of the child tax credit and the creation of the new BABY Benefit will put thousands of dollars directly back into the pockets of parents who need it most. Alongside expanded access to affordable, high-quality maternal health care, these initiatives show that New York is serious about making our state the best and most affordable place to start and raise a family.”

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson said, “For years, our Borough has carried the weight of preventable maternal deaths in our city that has been driven by generations of medical racism, untreated comorbidities, and limited access to care for our Bronx mothers. With today’s announcement, we are tackling the maternal health crisis and delivering on our promise to support the opening of a birthing center in our Borough that will expand healthcare options for our mothers and ensure our residents receive the patient-centered and patient-focused care they deserve during every stage of pregnancy. I want to thank Governor Kathy Hochul for her incredible partnership and steadfast leadership on this issue as well as Myla Flores, our Maternal Health Consortium, and all the maternal health advocates fighting for birth justice. This five-million-dollars is a significant victory for our Borough and is the result of years of advocacy, determination, and commitment to providing Bronx mothers and families with high-quality care. We look forward to building on this momentum to end the maternal health crisis that has already claimed the lives of far too many women and babies in our communities.”

The Birthing Place Foundation Founder Myla Flores said, “Investing in maternal health is one of the most powerful commitments we can make to the well-being of our communities. New York State’s investment in The Birthing Place isn’t just about a facility — it’s about healthier families, stronger futures, and ensuring that all parents have access to dignified, safe, supportive, and culturally responsive care.”