Full Breakdown
Record Welfare Cash Payments and New Tax Targeting NYC’s Wealthiest
7/22/2026, 9:26:00 PM
Record Welfare Cash Payments in 2025
City records show that New York City distributed more than $2.6 billion in cash assistance to residents in 2025, reaching a record 864,999 recipients—the highest level in three decades. This amount represents a 71 % increase from the $1.57 billion paid in 2022. When combined with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, total welfare outlays exceeded $7 billion in 2024. The surge occurs amid concerns that the city’s fiscal policies may be prompting some of its wealthiest residents to consider leaving.
Mayor’s Pied-à-Terre Tax Initiative
Mayor Zohran Mamdani introduced an annual fee on luxury secondary residences valued over $5 million that are not occupied full-time in the city. The tax, promoted as a measure to “tax the rich,” aims to generate revenue from high-value properties such as the $238 million penthouse owned by hedge-fund manager Ken Griffin. The mayor’s administration argues the policy is a continuation of efforts to fund social services, building on a budget that totals $126 billion and includes a $14 billion allocation for the Human Resources Administration (HRA).
Verbatim Quotes
- “When I ran for mayor, I said I was going to tax the rich. … Well, today we're taxing the rich. This pied-à-terre tax is specifically designed for the richest of the rich,” — Zohran Mamdani, NYC MAYOR
- “What really upset me about the video was the fact that he put me in harm's way. … And to put any citizen in harm's way is just inappropriate for one of our political leaders,” — Ken Griffin, hedge fund manager
Future Budget Outlook
The city’s 2026 budget earmarks $11.97 billion for the HRA, and the 2027 budget adds over $2.6 billion more for social services, bringing the HRA’s share to 14 % of the total municipal budget. Fox News Digital has sought comment from the HRA and the mayor’s office, but no response has been reported.
