Page 12 - The Indian EYE 091324

COMMUNITY OP-ED SEPTEMBER 13, 2024 | The Indian Eye 12

Good News for All New Yorkers: Your City

Wants to Help Put Money in Your Pocket

Putting money back into the pockets of New Yorkers is critical for everyone who lives here — older

adults, young families, and, of course, our youth. We want every person who calls this city home to

have access to the benefits that can make life more affordable and equitable

ERIC ADAMS

ew York is a city that works
for our people, with resources
Navailable to help hard-work-
ing residents afford the cost of hous-
ing, child care, health care, transit,
and more. But all too often, the New
Yorkers most in need of these pro-
grams are not aware that they qualify
for them and don’t take advantage of
the benefits they are entitled to.
That is why our city is taking im-
portant steps to make sure New York- While these programs have been a success in driving down costs, too many New Yorkers still don’t know about them, or they simply don’t have
ers know how to get the support they the time between working two jobs and trying to feed their families to navigate the system and get the help they need (Photo: NYC.gov)
need and deserve with our new “Mon-
ey in Your Pocket” initiative. This new which brings down costs of tran- by — not making life more difficult adults, young families, and, of course,
outreach program will help residents sit fares for young people, seniors, for those already struggling. our youth. We want every person who
across the five boroughs screen for or and low-income earners, I have made it my mission to calls this city home to have access to
learn about more than 70 city, state, • And the Rent Freeze programs that make sure all New Yorkers know the benefits that can make life more
and federal programs that can make help seniors stay in their homes. that they can turn to their city for affordable and equitable.
life in New York City more affordable, While these programs have been support. Since taking office, our Our ‘Money in Your Pocket’
equitable, and livable. a success in driving down costs, too administration has helped New initiative will build on this record of
Led by the Mayor’s Public En- many New Yorkers still don’t know Yorkers save more than $30 billion success and expand opportunity and
gagement Unit, city workers and about them, or they simply don’t have through launching, administering, prosperity to hard-working New York
trained students will visit underserved the time between working two jobs and helping New Yorkers take ad- City families.
neighborhoods across the city to help and trying to feed their families to vantage of programs across all levels I encourage all New Yorkers
thousands of New Yorkers find out navigate the system and get the help of government. looking for answers and support to
which benefits they may be eligible to they need. This includes saving families and visit nyc.gov/moneyinyourpocket for
receive. I know, because I’ve been there. working-class New Yorkers $345 mil- a highlight of dozens of the benefits
Some of these benefits include: As someone raised by a single lion through the Earned Income Tax they may qualify for.
• The Earned Income Tax Credit, mother who had to work several jobs Credit, giving New Yorkers in public We are building a city that ex-
which puts money back into the to support our family, I remember housing access to free high-speed in- pands opportunity and prosperity to
pockets of working people to help how my mother would go to a govern- ternet and basic TV through Big Ap- every neighborhood and community
with rent, bills, and groceries. ment office and walk out more bro- ple Connect, and eliminating medical because New Yorkers deserve their
• The Child Tax Credit, which helps ken than she was when she walked in. debt for 500,000 New Yorkers — sav- fair share, and your city is now going
families afford the everyday ex- That’s not how government should ing them an estimated $1.8 billion. to deliver that to you.
penses of raising a family, like operate. We must always be working Putting money back into the
school supplies and clothes. for the people, uplifting them, open- pockets of New Yorkers is critical Eric Adams is the Mayor of
• The Fair Fares program, ing doors and making it easier to get for everyone who lives here — older New York City, NY

www.TheIndianEYE.com