New York City Welfare Recipients: ~1.8 Million (2021)

Per **US Census Bureau / NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA)** data for **2021**:

• ~1.8 million NYC residents received **means-tested public assistance** (cash, food, medical, housing).
• **Programs included:**
  • SNAP (Food Stamps): ~1.6M
  • Medicaid: ~3.5M (includes non-cash, broader eligibility)
  • Cash Assistance (TANF/FA/Safety Net): ~350,000
  • SSI (Supplemental Security Income): ~400,000 (aged/blind/disabled)
  • Housing (NYCHA, Section 8): ~500,000

📈 Context

• NYC population: ~8.8M (2020) → **~20% on some assistance**.
• COVID spike: SNAP +300k (2020–21); emergency allotments ended Feb 2023.
• High cost of living (rent burden >50% for many low-income) drives eligibility despite employment.
• "Welfare" colloquially = cash aid (TANF), but officially includes in-kind (SNAP, Medicaid, housing).

🔍 Sources

• NYC HRA Facts & Figures
• American Community Survey
• NYS OTDA Annual Reports

Note: Numbers fluctuate monthly. 2023–24 likely lower (SNAP cuts, employment recovery) but still >1.5M.