New York Starts Distributing Debit Cards to Migrants

On Monday, April 1, 2024, New York City officials began handing out debit cards to migrant families to pay for food and baby supplies at grocery stores.

Under this program, a family of four is expected to receive up to $350 per week which will last 6 weeks. The program began with 10 families on Monday, expanding to 115 families over this next week (450 people).

Digital coding in the cards ensures that they will only work at supermarkets and bodegas. Further, Participants must sign affidavits stating they will only use them for food or baby supplies or risk removal from the program. Families are also asked to save their receipts.