With federal stimulus checks largely off the table in 2025, several U.S. states have decided to issue inflation relief payments, tax rebates, or similar programs to help residents cope with rising costs.
These payments are usually one-time, automatic for qualifying taxpayers, and vary depending on income, filing status, or other eligibility criteria. Below is a detailed breakdown of which states are doing this, how much people can receive, and how to check if you qualify.
Which States Are Offering Payments & Relief in 2025
Here are some of the states that have enacted inflation stimulus or similar relief programs:
| State | Relief Type / Program | Amount / Range | Who Is Eligible & Key Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | Inflation Refund Checks | $150 to $400 | Automatic if you filed 2023 tax return, residents whose income is under certain thresholds: single filers ≤ $75,000 get up to $200; those between $75,000–$150,000 get $150. Joint filers ≤ $150,000 get $400; those between $150,000–$300,000 get $300. |
| California | Climate Credit / Utility Bill Credits | Roughly $35 to $259 | Customers of certain utilities (PG&E, SCE, SDG&E) get credits on utility bills. |
| New Mexico | Tax Rebates | $500 for single filers; $1,000 for joint filers | Filed state tax returns, meeting state requirements. |
| Pennsylvania | Property Tax / Rent Rebate / Relief Payments | Up to $1,000 | For homeowners and renters, eligibility includes income limits (≈ $45,000 or so for some programs), older persons or those with disabilities often given priority. |
More Details & How It Works
- New York’s inflation refund: Approximately 8 million households are to receive one-time relief checks this fall.
- Deadline / Timing: Checks are expected to start mailing late September through October 2025 in most states that have already finalized their programs.
- No action needed for many: In states like New York, the relief is automatic for those who meet criteria and filed tax returns. No separate application required.
Who Might Be Eligible?
To see if you qualify, check for these common requirements:
- You filed your 2023 state income tax return (or whichever year the state uses for eligibility).
- Your adjusted gross income (AGI) is under the limit set for your filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.).
- You are not claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return. Often a requirement.
- Meet any additional criteria like residency, owning/renting home, age/disability for certain rebates.
What These Relief Payments Mean
These relief checks or credits are meant to help offset inflation — increased costs of food, housing, utilities, etc. While not as large as the federal stimulus payments during the pandemic, they still provide meaningful support.
For many low and middle income households, getting an extra $150-$400 or utility credit or rebate can ease budget pressure.
If you live in states like New York, California, New Mexico, or Pennsylvania, there’s a strong chance you’ll be getting some form of inflation stimulus payment, tax rebate, or credit in 2025. These are designed to ease the burden of rising costs due to inflation — especially for low to moderate income households.
To find out if you qualify: check whether you filed your state tax returns for the required year, verify your income is under state thresholds, confirm residency and other eligibility rules. Don’t miss out — some of these payments are automatic, some require action, but all provide much-needed relief for many people.
FAQs
Do I need to apply to get one of these inflation relief payments?
In many cases, no — if your state uses automatic distribution and you’ve already filed the relevant year’s state tax return. But some states or certain programs may require an application. Always check your state’s Department of Revenue or Taxation website.
What if I didn’t file a state tax return in 2023?
Then you might not be eligible. Most of these programs require having filed the tax return for the eligibility year. If you missed filing, you may need to file or correct filing to qualify.
How much will I receive?
Depends heavily on your filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), your income, and specific state rules. Example: in New York single filers under $75,000 AGI get about $200, joint filers ≤ $150,000 get $400, etc. In other states like New Mexico or Pennsylvania, amounts range from $500 to $1,000 for certain eligible residents.