Good news is coming for over 8 million households in New York—relief checks are on the way to help with the rising cost of living. Without filling out forms or applying, eligible residents will automatically receive an inflation rebate check by mail. If you filed your taxes and meet the income limits, you could be getting one too.
Why New York Is Sending Inflation Checks
The cost of everyday items—like groceries, fuel, and services—has gone up due to inflation. To ease the pressure on families, New York State has created an Inflation Relief Program as part of its 2025-2026 budget.
A total of $2 billion has been set aside to help 8.2 million residents. These checks are designed to offset the impact of sales tax during times when prices are rising.
Who Is Eligible for the Inflation Check?
Getting the rebate is simple—there are only three main rules:
-You must have filed your 2023 state income tax return (Form IT-201).
-Your income must be within the qualifying limits.
-You cannot be listed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return.
The Department of Revenue says that qualified residents do not need to apply or fill out any forms. The checks will be sent automatically based on tax return information.
Income Limits for Eligibility
-Single taxpayers and heads of households must have earned under $150,000 in 2023.
-Married couples and surviving spouses must have a combined income below $300,000.
-If you earned more than these limits, you won’t qualify for the payment.
How Much Will You Receive?
The amount of the rebate depends on your income and filing status.
For Single Filers and Heads of Household:
-If your 2023 income was $75,000 or less: $200
-If your income was between $75,000 and $150,000: $150
For Married Couples Filing Jointly and Surviving Spouses:
-If your income was $150,000 or less: $400
-If your income was between $150,000 and $300,000: $300
For Married Filing Separately:
-Same payment amounts as single filers.
These payments aim to give more help to lower-income households, which are often hit hardest by inflation.
When Will the Checks Arrive?
The state will start mailing physical paper checks in mid-October 2025. With over 8 million checks to send, the mailing process will take a few weeks. There’s no regional mailing order, so some residents may get their checks before others, even within the same neighborhood.
Make sure your mailing address is correct. If your address is outdated, you might not get your check. And remember, the state will not resend checks due to wrong addresses.
How Many People Will Benefit and Where?
Here’s the breakdown of how many people in each region will receive a payment:
-New York City: 3.53 million
-Long Island: 1.25 million
-Mid-Hudson: 924,000
-Western New York: 585,000
-Finger Lakes: 513,000
-Capital Region: 475,000
-Central New York: 321,000
-Southern Tier: 251,000
-Mohawk Valley: 198,000
-North Country: 156,000
Where Is the Money Coming From?
These inflation checks are funded by extra money the state earned through sales tax—no new taxes or loans are involved. It’s a way of returning part of what people already paid.
Governor Kathy Hochul explained that this is just one part of a larger plan to help families, which also includes school meal programs and tax cuts.