New York State Begins $2 Billion Inflation Relief Checks to 8 Million Households

New York State is set to distribute its first-ever Inflation Relief Stimulus Checks as part of the 2025-2026 budget to assist residents with rising living costs. Over 8 million eligible New Yorkers will receive one-time payments ranging from $150 to $400 based on their 2023 tax filing status and income levels, with no action required to apply. Checks will begin mailing in mid-October 2025 as physical paper checks sent to the address on file, and the state will mail them over several weeks. Eligibility requires filing a 2023 New York state income tax return, with specific income thresholds varying by filing status. This initiative aims to provide direct economic relief without complex applications, helping residents offset inflation's impact on everyday expenses. The Department of Taxation and Finance will manage the distribution, and residents are advised to update their addresses if they have moved since filing their last tax return.