Up to $5K Back in Pockets of Working Families
From free school meals to NY's Child Tax Credit, nearly $5,000 will go back in the pockets of New York families.
Watch: Inflation Refund Checks Now Being Sent
https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hlb-K-dhzfg
A Note from Governor Kathy Hochul
"My top priority is tackling New York’s affordability crisis.
Since COVID, inflation has eaten away at New Yorkers’ incomes. When costs for basic necessities skyrocket, it makes putting food on the table so much more difficult. Many New Yorkers still feel the pinch. They know that every dollar counts. It adds up quickly, especially for a family with small children or for seniors on a fixed income.
I understand this struggle intuitively. I watched my grandparents – who worked in factories their whole lives – struggle in their old age. I watched my mother – who raised a family of eight – stretch every dollar by buying used clothes and serving fried spam sandwiches for dinner. When I started my own family, I had to leave my job because we couldn’t find affordable childcare.
Since taking office, my administration has delivered more than $5.5 billion in supplemental payments, tax relief and rebates for homeowners, tuition assistance for students, heating and cooling assistance for seniors, as well as expanded access to child care assistance and paid leave for families and pregnant women.
I will never stop fighting for New Yorkers and their families."
— Governor Kathy Hochul
Budget Puts Nearly $5K Back in the Pockets of Families
As part of the FY 2026 State Budget, Governor Hochul announced several initiatives aimed at putting money back in the pockets of New York families:
- Middle-Class Tax Cut: Approximately 8.3 million New Yorkers will benefit from decreased tax rates, bringing middle-class taxes to their lowest levels in 70 years.
- Child Tax Credit Expansion: The Child Tax Credit will increase up to $1,000 per child under the age of four and up to $500 for school-aged children, starting in 2026.
- Inflation Refund Checks: Eligible New Yorkers are receiving up to $200 per person or $400 per family, reaching 8.2 million people.
- Free School Meals: All K-12 students will have access to free breakfast and lunch, saving families up to $1,600 per child annually.
We’re putting money back in the pockets of more than a million New Yorkers because this administration delivers for working families."
Governor Hochul
Affordability Agenda Highlights
-
-
Expanded Child Tax Credit for NY Families is Now Available
For the 2026 filing season, eligible families can now receive up to $1,000 per child under age four and $330 per qualifying child age 4 through 16.
-
Making Child Care More Accessible and Affordable
Governor Hochul signed legislation investing $110 million to build new child care facilities and repair existing sites across New York.
-
Make Raising a Family More Affordable in New York
Governor Hochul signed a package of new laws that will expand the availability of resources for new parents and young children.
-
New York State’s First-Ever Inflation Refund
Governor Hochul's Inflation Refund Checks will provide around $3 billion in direct payments to 8.6 million taxpayers in New York State.
-
New York’s First-in-the-Nation Paid Prenatal Leave Policy
This nation-leading policy gives workers the ability to take paid leave for any pregnancy-related medical appointments.
-
Making Homeownership More Affordable and Accessible
Governor Hochul is addressing the housing crisis by ensuring that even more New Yorkers can purchase a home.
-
Free Breakfast and Lunch for More Than 2.7M Students
This program helps parents save money, address food insecurity, and create more opportunities for students to succeed.
-
STAR Program Delivers $2.3B in Tax Relief for New Yorkers
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers are taking advantage of the State’s School Tax Relief program to ease the burden of property taxes.
-
Empire State Child Credit Program Delivers Assistance
Approximately $350 million in supplemental payments have been made to low- and moderate-income families statewide.
-
Making Higher Education More Accessible & Affordable
Governor Hochul announced the historic expansion of TAP, which increases the minimum award to $1,000.
-
Food Assistance for 1.5 Million Children in New York State
New York State sent nearly $200M or $120 per child to eligible families to help pay for healthy meals as part of the Summer EBT program.
-
Paid Family Leave Expanded to Cover More Workers
Governor Hochul signed legislation that enables workers to care for siblings with a serious health condition.
-
Expanding Eligibility for Child Care Assistance
Governor Hochul raised the eligibility limit to the federal maximum, capped child care costs and increased allowable absences in the CCAP.
-
Raising the Minimum Wage
New York increased the minimum wage to $17.00 per hour in New York City, Westchester, and Long Island, and $16.00 in the rest of the state.