To help families deal with rising costs, the New York State Government has approved a special payment plan. Starting October 2025, more than 8 million households will receive relief checks of up to $400. These payments are part of the 2025-2026 state budget and aim to return some of the extra money the government earned through higher sales taxes due to inflation.
Who Will Get the $400 Check?
The amount you receive depends on your income and marital status, based on your 2023 tax return. Here’s a simple breakdown:
- If you are a single filer and your income was up to $75,000, you’ll get $200.
- If you are married and filed jointly and your income was up to $150,000, you’ll get $400.
- However, if someone else claimed you as a dependent on their tax return, you won’t be eligible for this payment.
To qualify, you must have filed Form IT-201 in 2023 and have a New York Adjusted Gross Income (NY AGI) within the above limits.
When Will You Get the Payment?
The checks will start arriving in October 2025 and continue through November 2025. These will be physical checks sent by mail—there is no direct deposit option.
The New York Department of Taxation and Finance will manage everything. You don’t need to contact them or submit any paperwork. The payments will be automatically sent to all eligible people.
There’s no set order based on region. The state will mail the checks according to what works best logistically. The full process will take about six weeks.
Why Did the Payment Amount Change?
Earlier this year, the government had suggested giving $500 to low-income families. But after discussions and budget planning, the final amount was lowered. The state said this was due to changes in available funding and final negotiations in the budget process.
Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed these details during her announcement on May 14, 2025.
What Is the Purpose of This Program?
This $2 billion program is designed to help New Yorkers deal with the higher cost of living caused by inflation. The money comes from the extra sales tax revenue the state earned. It’s a way of returning that money to the people.
Along with these relief checks, the state has also included other benefits in the budget. These include tax cuts for the middle class and free school meals for about 2.7 million students. Together, these benefits could save families up to $1,600 per child every year.
Important Reminder
Some online posts have said that the checks will be sent in May, but this is not true. The official plan says October 2025, as confirmed by the state budget. If you want to check if you’re eligible, you can visit the official government page: ny.gov/inflationrefund