Families in New York are about to get a much-needed boost. With no clear sign of federal aid arriving soon, the state government is stepping up to help its residents. Governor Kathy Hochul has announced new financial help for more than 500,000 households in the Finger Lakes region.
These include direct stimulus checks, tax cuts, and expanded child tax credits, all aimed at supporting middle-class families facing high living costs.
This news comes at a time when many are still waiting for promised federal payments like the “DOGE Dividends,” which haven’t been delivered yet. While there’s no national program in action right now, New York’s plan will bring relief to thousands.
Who Will Get the Stimulus Checks?
The state government of New York is planning to send out stimulus checks to more than 500,000 families in the Finger Lakes area. These payments are part of a new state budget passed by lawmakers.
Here’s how the payments are divided based on income:
- Families with joint income up to $150,000 will get $400
- Joint filers with income between $150,000 and $300,000 will get $300
- Individual filers earning up to $75,000 will get $200
- Individuals earning between $75,000 and $150,000 will receive $150
The government hasn’t given a specific date for when the checks will be sent out, but they are expected soon.
More Benefits: Tax Cuts and Child Tax Credit
In addition to stimulus checks, the state budget includes tax cuts for around 450,000 middle-class families. This will lower the amount of tax these families have to pay and give them extra savings.
Also, the Child Tax Credit will be expanded to support more than 100,000 families. This credit helps parents with the cost of raising children. In total, these benefits will return around $2 billion to New York taxpayers, making it a major move by the state.
Governor Hochul said that these payments are very important right now as many families are struggling to keep up with rising prices.
What Is the STAR Program?
New York also has a program called STAR (School Tax Relief) to help homeowners. It gives a discount on property taxes.
There are two types of STAR:
- Basic STAR: Gives an average saving of $293 for households earning up to $500,000
- Enhanced STAR: Gives up to $650 for seniors (65 years and older) earning up to $107,300
If you’re already getting the STAR credit and turn 65, you’ll be automatically moved to Enhanced STAR, if you meet the income rule. But if you get the Basic STAR exemption, you need to apply separately for Enhanced STAR with your local assessor once you qualify.
The STAR program helps over 8.2 million people in New York, including many in New York City. However, there are no extra stimulus programs just for NYC beyond what the state is offering.
What About Federal Aid and DOGE Dividends?
While people are still waiting for the so-called DOGE Dividends (managed by the DOGE Department under Elon Musk), there’s no progress on that front. The current federal government has not moved forward with it. Due to ongoing trade wars with countries like China, it’s unlikely that new national payments will be launched anytime soon.
While the wait continues for federal-level payments, New York State is taking action. With new stimulus checks, tax cuts, and support for families and homeowners, over half a million households will benefit. These steps show how state-level support can make a big difference when national aid is delayed. If you live in New York, make sure to check if you qualify and apply on time to receive your benefits.
