NYC Cash Welfare Payments Surge 71%, Reaching Record $2.6 Billion

Nearly 865,000 New Yorkers received cash assistance in 2025 as city leaders expanded social-service spending and pursued new taxes on wealthy property ownersby Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau ChiefNEW YORK CITY (Worthy News) – New York City distributed more than $2.6 billion in cash assistance to nearly 865,000 residents during 2025, marking a dramatic expansion of the city’s welfare system as concerns grow over taxes, spending, and the potential departure of high-income r