New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a comprehensive financial aid package that will include nearly $200 million in food assistance and $350 million in child tax credits to support low- and middle-income families across the state.

Governor Hochul highlighted the distribution of $120 per child to over 1.5 million low-income children through the new Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer EBT) program. This initiative aims to combat food insecurity during the summer months, with the state expecting to reach up to 2 million children. Families are encouraged to apply before the September 3 deadline.

In addition to the Summer EBT program, Governor Hochul is expanding the Empire State Child Credit program, providing approximately $350 million in additional payments to over 1 million families. Eligible families will receive direct payments of up to $330 per child without having to apply. This expanded credit now includes children under the age of four and will benefit an estimated 600,000 additional children each year.

Governor Hochul emphasized that her administration is focused on reducing the cost of living, stating, “We are giving money back to working families, whether it’s through food assistance, child tax credits or improved access to affordable child care.” The governor also launched a new digital portal to make it easier for families to access free or low-cost child care, following the state’s historic $1.8 billion investment in the state’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).

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