Nearly 8 million New Yorkers will receive stimulus checks this fall, following the approval of a new budget refund program by Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration. The payments aim to provide relief to households that struggled with higher costs due to inflation.
Why Are New Yorkers Getting Stimulus Checks?
The funding for these stimulus payments comes from the New York State budget for fiscal year 2025–2026. Thanks to higher-than-expected tax revenues, the state recorded a surplus of $2 billion.
Instead of using debt or federal funds, as past nationwide stimulus programs did, this initiative is financed directly from state tax collections.
The goal is to return some of this extra revenue to households, easing the burden of last year’s rising prices.
Stimulus Check Payment Dates
According to Hochul’s administration, around 8.2 million households will receive a refund check this fall. Payments will be distributed in batches starting mid-October 2025 and continuing through November 2025.
Key details:
Distribution is not based on ZIP code. Processing speed will determine when checks arrive.
Checks will be mailed automatically to eligible taxpayers.
No additional application or paperwork is required.
How Much Will You Get?
The exact refund amount depends on income level and filing status as reported on the 2023 tax return.
| Filing Status | Income Level | Refund Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Single / Head of Household / Married Filing Separately | Up to $75,000 | $200 |
| Single / Head of Household / Married Filing Separately | $75,001 – $150,000 | $150 |
| Married Filing Jointly / Qualifying Widow(er) | Up to $150,000 | $400 |
| Married Filing Jointly / Qualifying Widow(er) | $150,001 – $300,000 | $300 |
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the New York stimulus check, residents must meet the following conditions:
Filed a New York State Resident Income Tax Return (Form IT-201) for the 2023 tax year.
Reported income within the program’s thresholds.
Not claimed as a dependent on another person’s tax return.
Was a resident of New York State during 2023.
If you meet these requirements, your check will be sent automatically.
This fall, millions of New Yorkers will benefit from a state-funded inflation rebate, with payments of $150 to $400 depending on income and filing status. With distribution set between October and November 2025, households are encouraged to simply wait for their checks to arrive—no extra action is needed.
This initiative highlights how New York is choosing to use surplus tax revenue to support residents, offering timely relief as families continue managing the impact of inflation.
