By Forum Staff
Mayor Eric Adams on Monday 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 the Big Apple more affordable.
The City Public Engagement Unit 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 buildings, starting Monday 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, Adams has also released a “Money in Your Pocket Guide,” which directly links to eligibility requirements and relevant applications over 40 of the benefits.
“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,” Adams said.
“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,” Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom added.
Adams noted that 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.
“We are going directly to New Yorkers across all five 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,” Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Woodhaven). “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.”
