New York City has hit a decade high in welfare distribution, reaching an unprecedented number of beneficiaries and expenditure. Last year, the city provided financial assistance to 720,765 residents, marking the highest welfare payout in over ten years. This surge required a significant increase in the budget, with Mayor Adams allocating $2.46 billion from federal, state, and city funds.
The substantial increase in welfare recipients is noteworthy, rising 17% from the previous year and 30% higher than in 2021. These figures reflect the highest count since 2014, when the city’s Department of Social Services started detailed record-keeping. December 2023 alone saw nearly half a million residents collecting welfare checks, a number not seen since early 2000.
Experts are attributing this spike to various factors, particularly the economic fallout from the pandemic. New Yorkers are grappling with higher living costs, including rent and food, exacerbated by the cessation of eviction moratoriums and federal pandemic-related assistance. This situation has led to a 25% increase in cash assistance applications since Mayor Adams took office.