New Yorkers: See if you're eligible for a $200 rebate check from the state
Gothamist • • nation
Key Points:
- New York State plans to distribute $1 billion in utility cost relief checks of up to $200 to over 8 million residents automatically this autumn, as part of the 2024 state budget.
- Eligibility requires being a full-time New York resident in 2024, with lower-income individuals receiving higher rebate amounts; married couples earning $150,000 or less get $200, while singles earning up to $150,000 receive $100.
- The rebate program, supported mainly by Democrats and some Republicans, aims to address rising utility bills partly attributed to state climate-related laws and taxes.
- Some lawmakers, like Republican Sen. Steve Rhoads, criticized the checks as insufficient and called for reducing utility-related taxes and fees for more sustainable relief.
- The utility rebate is part of a broader $268.5 billion state budget that also includes measures on climate goals, police interactions with immigration agents, and state worker retirement benefits, with final votes expected before the June 4 adjournment.