The governor Kathy Hochul reported that they will be sending inflation refund checks up to $400 to around 8.2 million households in New York State. Payments will be distributed by mail between October and November. Recipients do not need to take any action to receive the check.
This program is part of the State Budget for Fiscal Year 2026, promoted by Hochul. The initiative seeks to mitigate the effects of the rising cost of living. Officials estimate this measure will reach millions of residents without prior registration.
Stimulus payments confirmed: Who qualifies for the $400 checks
The funds will be sent directly to those who meet the requirements established by the New York State Department of Taxation. There are no age restrictions for receiving the payment, provided the defined income and tax thresholds are met.
The total of 8.2 million checks will be distributed across several regions. New York City concentrates the largest number of beneficiaries, with 3.53 million households. It is followed by Long Island with 1.25 million and Mid-Hudson with 924,000.
Other regions that will receive payments include: Western New York (585,000), Finger Lakes (513,000), Capital Region (475,000), Downtown New York (321,000), Southern Tier (251,000), Mohawk Valley (198,000) and Northern Country (156,000).
The delivery schedule is not based on specific postal codes or geographic areas. Delivery may vary between nearby homes, depending on administrative processing.
Who is eligible for payment
Eligible taxpayers are those who filed the Form IT-201 in tax year 2023, were not claimed as dependents and are within the established income limits.
Amounts vary depending on the taxpayer’s marital status and income. Couples with incomes of up to $150,000 will receive $400. If the income is between $150,001 and $300,000, the check will be for $300.
In the case of single taxpayers, those with incomes up to $75,000 will receive $200, while those who report income between $75,001 and $150,000 will receive $150.
Other tax benefits for New York families
In parallel with this policy, the state government also approved other measures. These include tax cuts for the middle class, the expansion of the New York Child Tax Credit to $1,000 per child, and the guarantee of universal free school meals.
These measures were incorporated into the budget following negotiations with the Legislative Assembly and the Democratic majority in the Senate. They seek to alleviate the economic impact on low- and middle-income families.
The governor stated, “Starting in October, more than 8 million New Yorkers will receive an inflation rebate because it’s simple: this is your money, and we’re putting it back in your pockets.” She added that she will continue working on similar initiatives.
