Dead People In New York Receive Inflation Refund Checks in ‘Bizarre’ System Meant To Help Struggling Americans: Report

The state of New York is sending money to deceased residents while trying to provide financial relief from the rising cost of living, according to a new report.

The state is mailing inflation refund checks to people based on their 2023 tax returns and “in many cases” is sending money to people who have passed on, reports News10NBC.

Valerie Liles says her father Richard Dusing passed away back in May, but she just received a check from the state in his name.

“I was even more confused because if it’s an inflation check, he’s not here to spend any money to help the economy…

It’s like they’re willy-nilly picking a year, sending checks out. They don’t even know if these people are dead or alive. It’s just bizarre.”

Meanwhile, residents who have received checks sent to family members who have passed on are trying to figure out whether they can cash them.

News10NBC contacted the State Department of Taxation and Finance to try and get some answers.

“A spokesperson said anyone who gets a check made out to their deceased loved one needs to contact them and establish that they are the estate administrator or a beneficiary. If not, they’re not entitled to the check.

The spokesperson didn’t say how they plan to monitor that. So how many dead people received checks? The state says it won’t know until the rollout is complete.”

Liles says she had to contact multiple state agencies before eventually being told she could cash the check in the estate account.

New York residents can get more information on the refund checks, which total up to $400, at the State Office of Taxation and Finance website or by calling 518-457-5181.

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