Mayor Adams Launches “Money in Your Pocket” Initiative Across More Than 20 Neighborhoods to Help Deliver Benefits Directly to New Yorkers, Make New York City More Affordable

August 26, 2024

Video available at: https://youtu.be/gxyGdtVaB30

Adams Administration Will Surge Underserved Neighborhoods with Hundreds of City Employees to Screen for Benefits On-the-Spot, Help New Yorkers Save Money on Food, Rent, Taxes, and Other Needs

 Adams Administration Has Helped New Yorkers Save More Than $30 Billion Through Access to Programs and Benefits

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today launched a citywide “Money in Your Pocket” initiative to help New Yorkers screen for or learn about more than 70 city, state, and federal programs that can make life in New York City more affordable. The New York City Public Engagement Unit (PEU) trained hundreds of staff from across city government and The City University of New York students, who will begin to visit more than 20 underserved neighborhoods and New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) buildings, starting today and continuing on a weekly basis, to help thousands of New Yorkers find out which benefits they may be eligible to receive.

 To help New Yorkers easily view and understand programs they may be eligible for, Mayor Adams today also released a “Money in Your Pocket Guide,” which directly links to eligibility requirements and relevant applications over 40 of the benefits. Since taking office, the Adams administration has helped New Yorkers save more than $30 billion through launching, administering, and helping New Yorkers take advantage of programs across all levels of government from Big Apple Connect to Fair Fares to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and more.

 “I was raised by a single mother who had to work several jobs to make sure my siblings and I had a roof over our heads and food on the table. The hustle was real. Unfortunately, many New Yorkers are still doing the same today and far too many New Yorkers continue to feel that the deck is stacked against them. But our administration won’t allow that to be the case — we are looking out for New Yorkers and working to make this city more affordable,” said Mayor Adams. “Today, we are launching our ‘Money in Your Pocket' 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 because New Yorkers deserve their fair share, and we’re going to deliver that to them.”

 “By connecting New Yorkers directly to critical resources and support, we're taking another major step toward making our city more livable for everyone,” said Chief of Staff Camille Joseph Varlack. “We want every New Yorker to have access to the benefits that can make life more affordable and equitable and that is why our dedicated team will be meeting people where they are to ensure that no one is left behind. Together, we’re not just creating opportunities — we’re building a more inclusive city where every resident can thrive.”

 “Government is at its best when it’s working in the best interest of the people we are elected or appointed to serve,” said Chief Advisor Ingrid P. Lewis-Martin. “The ‘Money in Your Pocket’ initiative does exactly that by helping to ensure that New Yorkers receive every single benefit and service for which they are entitled and deserve. Additionally, it enables the Adams administration to build a more affordable and equitable New York City. I am proud of our strives to put New Yorkers first.”

 “Since the start of the Adams administration, we have been squarely focused on ensuring that hard-working New Yorkers receive all available benefits, and that every eligible dollar goes back into their pockets,” said First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. “After successfully increasing the EITC in our first year in office and boosting enrollment of thousands more children in child care services, today’s announcement underscores our ongoing, citywide commitment to working to enroll every New Yorker in every eligible benefit, fulfilling our promise to support working-class New Yorkers, and ensuring that everyone, across our communities, can thrive.”

 “Today, we’re knocking on doors, talking with fellow New Yorkers on the block, and focusing in on key neighborhoods with one goal: helping more people eligible for services receive those benefits,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “Whether it is food assistance, child care, or housing support, among others, we want to help you navigate how you may be able to access these critical services. Take a moment today and interact with city staff to see if you or your family could benefit.”

 “The ‘Money in Your Pocket’ initiative is just another example of the concrete actions the Adams administration is taking to help working families keep costs down and increase their bottom line,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana J. Almanzar. “Whether it’s facilitating access to benefits and tax credits, enrolling their kids in free child care and afterschool programs, or connecting families with low-cost health care, we are taking proactive measures to ensure families have access and opportunity to tap into every resource available to them.”

 “This administration has made it a major priority to put money back in New Yorkers’ pockets, and proactive public outreach to help New Yorkers find benefits is key to that work,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. “This cross-government, on-the-ground action is how we improve the lives of working-class people and improve affordability in New York City.”

 “Too often, New Yorkers don’t access benefits because they don’t know they’re available to them or they think they’re too difficult to access,” said PEU Executive Director Adrienne Lever.  “We are thrilled to lead this citywide effort to proactively engage New Yorkers and help connect them to benefits that can help put money back in their pockets.”

 “New Yorkers have access to a comprehensive array of federal, state, and city public benefits that can assist them with everything from remaining in their homes, to buying food and other essentials, to managing transportation costs, and much more,” said New York City Human Resources Administration Administrator Scott French. “And while we have made great strides in making it easier to access our benefits online, we want to ensure all New Yorkers who could benefit from these programs are aware of them, which is why direct, community-centered outreach events like this initiative are critical to our efforts to support low-income communities, make the city more affordable, and help New Yorkers keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets.”

 “Our benefits access efforts have helped millions of residents connect with and learn about city, state, and federal public programs,” said Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity Executive Director Carson Hicks. “This initiative is important because, through a combination of digital tools and dedicated on-the-ground staff, it helps New Yorkers in every part of the city to identify and apply for the assistance they qualify for in an easy and seamless way.”

 “Affordability is a top priority for many New Yorkers, including the one in 17 who call NYCHA home,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “We commend the Adams administration on launching the ‘Money in Your Pocket’ initiative to help New Yorkers find and access the programs and resources available to them, thereby making our great city more equitable and livable.”

Millions of New Yorkers have access to a range of programs and financial benefits through the city, but many who are eligible have yet to apply. Programs like Fair Fares — which offers a 50 percent discount on transit — and Freeze Your Rent — which prevents rent increases for eligible older adults and those with disabilities — can make living in the five boroughs more affordable for New Yorkers. Despite the availability of these programs and constant outreach from the administration, many New Yorkers still remain unaware of them, leaving many programs undersubscribed.

 Since taking office, the Adams administration has launched, administered, and advocated for a broad range of benefits that have saved New Yorkers more than $30 billion dollars. Highlights of these savings include: 

• Big Apple Connect: Free high-speed internet and basic TV for public housing residents – $153 million.
• Child Care Vouchers: Vouchers for affordable child care – $1.9 billion.
• Direct Property Tax Relief: A range of tax abatements for seniors, disabled homeowners, and other New Yorkers – $1 billion.
• EITC: Returns tax dollars to qualifying families and individuals – $345 million.
• Groceries to Go: Monthly credits to purchase Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program eligible groceries for delivery or pickup – $8 million.
• NYC Financial Empowerment Centers: Free one-on-one professional financial counseling and coaching to help increase savings, reduce debts, and support New Yorkers’ financial goals – $26 million.
• Year-round free tax prep services for individuals, families, and self-employed New Yorkers – $220 million.
• Medical Debt Relief: The elimination of medical debt for 500,000 New Yorkers – $1.8 billion.
• Summer Rising: Free summer programming, including free meals, transportation, and medical and social services support for K-8 students – $1.9 billion.
• Transportation for Older New Yorkers: Free transportation to help older New Yorkers get to critical medical appointments, social service appointments, and more – $1.5 million. 

“We are going directly to New Yorkers across all 5 boroughs to help them access benefits. Our ‘Money in Your Pocket’ Tour provides unprecedented engagement with our fellow New Yorkers to help them enroll in key benefits programs like Big Apple Connect and Fair Fares,” said New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar. “In Albany, I was proud to champion the Earned Income Tax Credit and we are deploying trained staff to 30 underserved communities to inform people of the money EITC can save them. This will allow more New Yorkers to put food on the table, keep a roof over their heads, and provide for their families. I am now working with my Albany colleagues to pass the One City Act which will expedite benefits access by allowing agencies to share data and streamline applications. Together, we will reach every New Yorker and provide them the support they deserve.”

“I fully support Mayor Adams “Money In Your Pocket Tour” as it brings essential benefits directly to our hardworking New Yorkers,” said New York State Assemblymember Eddie Gibbs. “This initiative is a crucial step toward ensuring that everyone in our city has access to the resources they need to thrive. By making these benefits more accessible, we are not only empowering our residents but also strengthening the economic fabric of our communities.”