NEW YORK, N.Y. — More than 8 million New York households will receive inflation relief checks of up to $400, part of the 2025-2026 state budget aimed at helping families cope with rising costs of living.
The payments, based on 2023 tax returns, will begin mailing in October 2025 and continue through November. Recipients will receive physical checks by mail, with no option for direct deposit.
Who Qualifies for the Inflation Relief Checks?
- Taxpayers must have filed Form IT-201 in 2023 with a New York adjusted gross income (NY AGI) within set limits.
- Single filers earning up to $75,000 will receive $200.
- Married couples filing jointly with incomes up to $150,000 will receive $400.
- Individuals claimed as dependents on another return are not eligible.
- No additional applications or paperwork are required; payments will be issued automatically.
What You Need to Know About Receiving the Check
All qualifying taxpayers do not need to take any action to receive the payments. The New York Department of Taxation and Finance will handle the distribution.
Checks will be mailed over approximately six weeks, with no priority based on geography. Online media claims of earlier payment dates are incorrect; the official timeline is October 2025, as specified in the state budget.
Bigger Relief Package for New Yorkers
This $2 billion relief program is funded by excess sales tax revenue and complements other initiatives including:
- Tax cuts for middle-class families
- Free school meals for 2.7 million students
- Measures expected to reduce family expenses by up to $1,600 per child annually
Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized these steps as part of the state’s ongoing effort to ease inflation’s impact.
For more details or to check eligibility, taxpayers can visit ny.gov/inflationrefund.
Source Attribution
Information sourced from:
- New York State Department of Taxation and Finance
- Official announcement by Governor Kathy Hochul, May 14, 2025
- NY.gov inflation refund details