On May 9, Governor Hochul announced passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 State Budget. This final Enacted Budget represents agreement between the Governor and the two houses of the state Legislature, the Senate and the Assembly.
Making New York More Affordable: Nearly $5,000 Back in the Pockets of Working Families
- Inflation Refund
- Middle-Class Tax Cut
- Child Tax Credit
- Access to Child Care
- Universal School Meals
With this budget, Governor Hochul has made clear her commitment to families – including those of people with developmental disabilities and hardworking New Yorkers like our direct professionals whose support is so essential to our system. I was honored to have a few of our Direct Support Professionals beside me at the Governor's State of the State Address this year when the Governor announced she'd seek to deliver the largest middle-class tax cut in more than 50 years. And Governor Hochul delivered in this budget with nearly $1 billion in tax relief for New Yorkers. To fight back against inflation, this year’s budget includes New York’s first ever inflation refund, which will send checks up to $500 to families making up to $300,000 per year. Governor Hochul has also expanded the state’s child tax credit up to $1,000 annually per child under four and up to $500 per child aged four to 16.
Beyond these common-sense cost-saving measures, New York’s Enacted Budget holds promising wins for our frontline workforce, while increasing health equity and modernizing research capabilities for people with developmental disabilities.
Providing Relief to Nonprofit Provider Agencies
- 2.6% Targeted Inflationary Increase, the Fourth Consecutive Increase Totaling Nearly $1.4 Billion
- $850 Million in Updated Reimbursement Rates for Residential and Day Service Providers Meant to Increase Wages for Frontline Workers
The Governor’s Enacted Budget continues the four-year trend of inflationary increases for New York’s frontline workers at 2.6%. In addition to this increase, the Governor has extended the nearly $850 million in updated reimbursement rates for non-profit residential and day service providers to allow them to offer more competitive wages for frontline workers, ensuring better retention, fewer staffing vacancies, and a better quality of life for people with developmental disabilities. We’re already hearing about the positive impact on providers for hiring and retention.
$25 Million to Create Regional
Disability Health Clinics
We know that access to healthcare is not equal for all New Yorkers. That’s why we’re happy to announce that this year’s budget includes $25 million to create Regional Disability Health Clinics across the state to improve access to health care and resulting health outcomes for people with developmental disabilities.
$75 Million to Modernize OPWDD's Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities
The Enacted Budget also includes $75 million to modernize the Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, OPWDD’s research arm.
New Funding to Establish a Genomics Core Facility
This investment – the largest in IBR’s history – will establish a Genomics Core Facility to better understand genetic defects underlying people’s disabilities.
New Funding to Create a "Center for Learning" on the former Willowbrook State School Property
This funding will also reimagine the former Willowbrook State School property into a "Center for Learning," recognizing the importance this site had in sparking New York State’s disability rights movement and influencing the developmental disabilities delivery system across the nation.
More Tax Credits for Businesses that Hire People With Developmental Disabilities
Governor Hochul knows that employment open doors for everyone. This year’s Enacted Budget continues to build on New York’s Employment First initiative by more than doubling the maximum tax credit for businesses that hire people with disabilities from $2,100 to $5,000. This significant increase will not only benefit people with developmental disabilities who want to work but also the businesses that choose to offer them that opportunity.
OPWDD has approved a 2.6% Targeted Inflationary Rate Increase for provider agencies
OPWDD has approved a 2.6% Targeted Inflationary Rate Increase for provider agencies, retroactive to April 1, 2025!
Everyone currently active will be receiving this increase to their current pay rates. Retroactive payments for hours worked between April 1-August 2, 2025 will be paid out this Friday, August 15, 2025 . Please note that if you were hired after August 2, you will not receive a retroactive payment. Employees hired during this time frame, will receive a retro payment based on hours worked from their hire date through August 2, 2025.
The HR Department has been working with the Payroll Department to process these increases. All employees will be required to log in to ADP and electronically acknowledge the HR Action Form (HRAF) and WTPA related to this increase. An email will be sent informing everyone when these documents have been uploaded into ADP. The expectation is that everyone will acknowledge the HRAF and WTPA by August 22, 2025.
Please note that the paycheck dated for August 22, 2025 will be the first check reflecting your new pay rate.
Thank you for your dedication and hard work. This is a reflection of your contributions to the organization, and we are grateful to have you on the team!