New York is sending out inflation refund checks to millions of taxpayers starting Friday. 

According to Gov. Kathy Hochul's office, about 8.2 million households will each receive up to $400 from the state. 

There's no need to do anything except wait for it to arrive. 

Hochul announced the official start of the program at a news conference Friday morning. She said the checks will help ease the burden of rising costs. 

"You work hard and, you know, the bills just keep piling up, and you just look at them and say when will it ever stop," she said. "It's utility bills, your grocery bills, the mortgage or the rent bills ... and New York families are just getting so beaten down sometimes."

Hochul said the state collected billions of dollars more than it budgeted for as prices rose over the last few years, which is why money is being returned to New Yorkers. 

Qualifying taxpayers will automatically receive their one-time inflation rebates through the mail. The state expects to continue delivering the checks throughout October and November. 

According to the governor's office, the checks are not being mailed based on zip codes. So, your refunds and your neighbors' may arrive at different times.

Am I eligible for an inflation refund check?

In order to receive a New York inflation refund check, the state says you must meet the following criteria for tax year 2023:

• Filed Form IT-201, a New York state resident income tax return
• Reported income within the qualifying thresholds (see below)
• Were not claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer's return

How much is the inflation refund? 

According to the state, eligible taxpayers will receive a refund check for an amount based on these thresholds:

• $400 for joint filers with income up to $150,000
• $300 for joint filers with income over $150,000, but no more than $300,000
• $200 for single filers with income up to $75,000
• $150 for single filers with income over $75,000, but no more than $150,000

Joint filers who earned more than $300,000 and single filers who earned more than $150,000 in 2023 are not eligible for a refund. 

New York inflation refund checks by region

Here's the state's breakdown of the number of inflation refund recipients by region:

• New York City: 3.53 million
• Long Island: 1.25 million
• Mid-Hudson: 924,000
• Western New York: 585,000
• Finger Lakes: 513,000
• Capital Region: 475,000
• Central New York: 321,000
• Southern Tier: 251,000
• Mohawk Valley: 198,000
• North Country: 156,000

For more information on New York's inflation refund checks, click here.