On Monday, August 26th, Mayor Eric Adams announced the launch of the “Money in Your Pocket” initiative, aimed at helping New Yorkers access more than 70 city, state, and federal programs designed to make living in New York City more affordable. This citywide initiative will see hundreds of trained city employees and CUNY students visiting over 20 underserved neighborhoods and NYCHA buildings to help residents determine their eligibility for various benefits.
The kickoff event for the new initiative took place at Marcus Garvey Park in East Harlem. The initiative is part of the Adams administration’s ongoing efforts to provide financial relief to New Yorkers, particularly in underserved communities. The mayor highlighted that since he took office, the administration has helped New Yorkers save over $30 billion by facilitating access to numerous programs and benefits, including Big Apple Connect, Fair Fares, and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
Mayor Adams emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “We are launching our ‘Money in Your Pockets’ initiative to help New Yorkers find out which benefits they are eligible for and build on the billions of dollars we have helped put into the pockets of hard-working families. We are building a city that expands opportunity and prosperity to every neighborhood and community.”
He continued “If we have your number, your Social Security number, your address, and all your date of birth, we should be contacting you saying, this is what you’re eligible for based on our analysis…That’s the next level we’re trying to get to.”
To aid in this effort, the administration released a comprehensive “Money in Your Pocket” website, NYC.gov/MoneyinYourPocket, which provides links to eligibility requirements and applications for more than 40 benefits. The initiative also includes direct outreach and engagement with community members to ensure they are aware of the programs available to them.
Executive Director of the Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit Adrienne Lever said, “There is just a lot of resources that are left on the table that New Yorkers have access to, and maybe they don’t know about it….Maybe they also just need a little extra help.”
Highlights of the Savings Programs:
- Big Apple Connect: Provides free high-speed internet and basic TV services for public housing residents, saving approximately $153 million.
- Child Care Vouchers: Offers affordable child care solutions, amounting to $1.9 billion in savings for families.
- Direct Property Tax Relief: Includes tax abatements for seniors, disabled homeowners, and other eligible residents, totaling $1 billion in savings.
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): Returns tax dollars to qualifying families and individuals, contributing to $345 million in savings.
- Groceries to Go: Monthly credits for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-eligible groceries, saving $8 million.
- NYC Financial Empowerment Centers: Offers free financial counseling and coaching to help residents increase savings and reduce debt, saving $26 million.
- Year-Round Free Tax Preparation Services: Provides tax preparation services to individuals, families, and self-employed New Yorkers, saving $220 million.
- Medical Debt Relief: Eliminates medical debt for 500,000 New Yorkers, amounting to $1.8 billion.
- Summer Rising: Offers free summer programming for K-8 students, including meals and transportation, saving $1.9 billion.
- Transportation for Older New Yorkers: Provides free transportation for older residents to access essential services, saving $1.5 million.
The “Money in Your Pocket” initiative is part of a broader effort by the Adams administration to ensure every New Yorker can access the resources they need to thrive, making the city more affordable and equitable for all its residents.
