Over 8 Million Inflation Refund Checks Mailed to New Yorkers – What You Need to Know

Published On: November 29, 2025

Just ahead of Thanksgiving, more than 8.2 million inflation relief checks have made their way into mailboxes across New York State.

Backed by $2.2 billion in the FY 2026 State Budget, the refund initiative is a major piece of Governor Kathy Hochul’s affordability agenda aimed at easing financial pressure on middle- and working-class families.

Let’s break down how it works, who gets what, and what’s next.

Purpose

Why is New York handing out checks? Simply put: to fight inflation. With grocery bills, rent, and everyday expenses rising, the state created this refund as a way to offer quick, direct relief.

Governor Hochul highlighted the checks as part of a larger package that includes:

Middle-class tax cuts
Expanded Child Tax Credit
Free school meals

This isn’t just about one check—it’s part of a longer-term plan to tackle affordability in New York.

Eligibility

So, who gets a check?

The refund is based on your 2023 New York State tax return, and there’s no need to apply—it’s automatic.

Here are the key requirements:

You must have filed your 2023 state taxes
You cannot be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return
Payments are income-based, with more money going to lower- and middle-income earners

Here’s a quick breakdown of how much you can expect based on your filing status and income:

Filing Status	Income Range	Refund Amount
Single	Up to $75,000	$200
Single	$75,001 – $150,000	$150
Joint/Surviving Spouse	Up to $150,000	$400
Joint/Surviving Spouse	$150,001 – $300,000	$300

If you filed late or your return was recently processed, don’t worry. You may still qualify and your check could be sent in a later batch.

Distribution

More than $2 billion has already been distributed, with every region of the state receiving a portion. Here’s a look at how the money has been spread out so far:

Region	Recipients	Total Paid
New York City	3,536,000	$828.8 million
Long Island	1,251,000	$316.4 million
Mid-Hudson	924,000	$234.2 million
Western NY	585,000	$152.7 million
Capital Region	475,000	$122.8 million
Southern Tier	251,000	$66.7 million
North Country	156,000	$42.4 million

This data confirms that aid is being distributed equitably across the state—not just to New York City.

Delivery

Still waiting on your check? Here’s what you need to know.

You don’t need to apply or fill out any forms. If you’re eligible, your check is mailed automatically to the address on your most recent tax return.

For example:

If you filed your 2023 tax return with your old address but filed your 2024 return with a new one, your check will go to the newer 2024 address.

And yes, some people may still be getting theirs. The state is continuing to mail smaller batches as they confirm new eligible taxpayers.

Warnings

With money in the mail, scams are inevitable. The New York State Tax Department warns:

They will never call, email, or text about your refund check.
You don’t need to share any personal info to receive it.

If anyone contacts you claiming they need information to send your check—it’s a scam.

Reactions

Governor Hochul had this to say in her November 25 announcement:

“We followed through on our commitment to deliver meaningful relief to hard-working New Yorkers, and will continue, every day, to look for additional opportunities to deal with the nation’s ongoing affordability challenge.”

In other words, this may not be a one-time event. The state is exploring further ways to offer support during tough economic times.

What’s Next

The bulk of inflation checks have been sent—but it’s not over yet. The State Tax Department is still reviewing returns, and additional payments will continue in small waves.

Here’s what to expect: