The governor announced on Tuesday the expansion of a tax credit program in New York, providing financial support to one million low to moderate-income families by the end of August. This support comes from the Empire State Child Credit Program’s enlargement. Lisa Chin from Mount Vernon, a mother of two trying to balance caring for her children while pursuing a bachelor’s degree, welcomed the assistance. Families qualifying for the program will receive around $330 per child, potentially totaling $1,000 for families with three children, doubling the previous assistance amount, providing timely support as back-to-school shopping approaches.

The expansion addresses the current inflation affecting families, with grocery prices up 23% over the last five years and housing costs rising by 17%. The financial aid aims to alleviate the daily struggles faced by families dealing with utility, food, and transportation expenses. The assistance, supported by both parties, highlights a broader concern for affordability in New York, as cited by Republicans. The aid is distributed based on recent tax filings and the participation in the Empire State Child Credit Program, with disbursements starting in the first week of August.

In addition to this aid, the state has introduced a digital portal to improve access to free or low-cost child care through the New York State’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). CCAP covers over 90% of the market rate child care costs for eligible families, ensuring most families of four pay no more than $15 per week for child care.