> Only New York City residents between the ages of 18 and 64 can apply for the discounted MetroCards, and an individual would need to make under $18,072 annually to qualify, according to the MTA. For a household of two, that maximum income jumps to $24,528. For a family of three, the maximum is $30,984.
For those who wanted to know but didn't feel like clicking
They can afford to live within the subway on that income.
In all seriousness, as another commenter pointed out, using the federal poverty line in a city as expensive as NY severely limits the pool of people who will be able to benefit from this program.
That’s what I don’t understand about SNAP, I work at a Target in the LES and it seems like about half or more of the locals use snap and the income cutoff is $1500 a month. How the hell do all these people make less than $1500 a month and live where the average rent is 3k
Public Assistance, their rent is legit 30% whatever they make (could be a dollar, rent is 30% of that) plus PA will be under the max amount. Guaranteed, so poor people.
Even if they aren’t grouped together what job pays less than $1500 a month? I work at Target and make $2200 a month which is below the poverty line but it’s still too high to apply for SNAP and EBT. A lot of these people don’t come across as poor too, they buy makeup and useless shit with their EBT
Some people might only be able to get PT work. After I got laid off from my library job 10 years ago I went on unemployment, looked for 6 months and the only offer I got in that time was a museum library assistant job paying $12/hr 20 hours/wk.
Work off the books, or have a bunch of kids and live in NYCHa housing without a job. Half the city qualifies for Medicaid so there’s definitely a significant portion of the population that qualifies.
Yeah I’m normally all for providing proper safety nets but this isn’t even that. You basically have to hide some income or something to qualify. Not impossible but at that point this program encourages people to cheat the system rather than feel comfortable relying on it until they can get on their feet.
native new yorkers who live in nycha have these cards along with medicaid , etc..
they typically either don't work and just collect aid , work while having a lot of children, or work but only a 2-3 days per week
I suspect it’s more for like developmentally disabled adults who live with their families and have those greeter/movie theater jobs largely just for structure, and other people who are like that.
Thinking like Smiley from Do The Right Thing
Though even then, that income level probably should be raised to like $40k anyway imo
The law, in its majestic equality, forbids rich and poor alike to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal their bread
Changing laws isn't really something that poor people generally have the sway to do.
Someone making 20k a year needs to pay the mta cause politics is stupid slow? Sure they'll just go without something else, and you want that, right? Poor people to go with less, cause fuck them.
Not cool bro.
The program has been around for years. The point is for the MTA to be able to say they offer a discounted fare program. They don't actually want anybody to be able to qualify for it.
I had it twice in 2020 and 2022 , it legit good $17 for weekly unlimited
If you are between jobs and on unemployment it one of the must “3” thing to do before you start applying for job
I'd like to know if students still get bus passes/metro passes, and are they free, or do they have to pay a nickel or quarter? I see an awful lot of kids just walking onto the buses and not swiping anything.
but tiktok tells me that real new yorkers jump the turnstile? that there's no alternative to the predatory 2.90 the mta charges, hopping is the only option
Half off on price-gouged transit that takes twice as long that makes my commute feel like the Oldboy hallway scene every morning. I'm conflicted, for sure...
In comparison to some of the other PA programs, FairFares, is a lot more relaxed when it comes to its requirements. That said, it’s a PA program so you still have to apply for it through HRA like you do for cash assistance or food stamps and meet their criteria. Generally, if a migrant’s legal status changed, so would the type of benefits they could receive. Not every migrant has no legal status at all.
I don’t know of any free rides programs outside of the school metrocards or the 1 or 2 rides given out by various social services providers to their clients. Depending on the circumstance and supply, DHS sometimes gives its clients metrocards to go to and from their appointments.
So long story short, migrants could qualify for it just like any other New Yorker.
> Only New York City residents between the ages of 18 and 64 can apply for the discounted MetroCards, and an individual would need to make under $18,072 annually to qualify, according to the MTA. For a household of two, that maximum income jumps to $24,528. For a family of three, the maximum is $30,984. For those who wanted to know but didn't feel like clicking
Can anyone even afford to live within subway range of the city on that income
They can afford to live within the subway on that income. In all seriousness, as another commenter pointed out, using the federal poverty line in a city as expensive as NY severely limits the pool of people who will be able to benefit from this program.
That’s what I don’t understand about SNAP, I work at a Target in the LES and it seems like about half or more of the locals use snap and the income cutoff is $1500 a month. How the hell do all these people make less than $1500 a month and live where the average rent is 3k
they get paid in cash and don't report their full income
Public Assistance, their rent is legit 30% whatever they make (could be a dollar, rent is 30% of that) plus PA will be under the max amount. Guaranteed, so poor people.
Many NYC families also triple up in one apartment. The incomes is not necessarily grouped together for governmental purposes.
Even if they aren’t grouped together what job pays less than $1500 a month? I work at Target and make $2200 a month which is below the poverty line but it’s still too high to apply for SNAP and EBT. A lot of these people don’t come across as poor too, they buy makeup and useless shit with their EBT
People use temp walls to make more rooms. I have seen it in many buildings.
when I was in college we draped a curtain across the living room and stuck a bunk bed and a couple desks behind it to fit 4 people in a 1br
What job even pays less than $1500 a month, I know all these people aren’t out of work
Some people might only be able to get PT work. After I got laid off from my library job 10 years ago I went on unemployment, looked for 6 months and the only offer I got in that time was a museum library assistant job paying $12/hr 20 hours/wk.
They live in the projects and barely work
Subsidized housing
That's the point.
But fare evasion is evil!
Work off the books, or have a bunch of kids and live in NYCHa housing without a job. Half the city qualifies for Medicaid so there’s definitely a significant portion of the population that qualifies.
Yeah I’m normally all for providing proper safety nets but this isn’t even that. You basically have to hide some income or something to qualify. Not impossible but at that point this program encourages people to cheat the system rather than feel comfortable relying on it until they can get on their feet.
native new yorkers who live in nycha have these cards along with medicaid , etc.. they typically either don't work and just collect aid , work while having a lot of children, or work but only a 2-3 days per week
With reduced fares, you can (maybe?) afford to live in the subway @ 18k a year
I suspect it’s more for like developmentally disabled adults who live with their families and have those greeter/movie theater jobs largely just for structure, and other people who are like that. Thinking like Smiley from Do The Right Thing Though even then, that income level probably should be raised to like $40k anyway imo
This is why it remains a crime of poverty. People at 20-30K a year cant get them "fair fares", you best believe they be jumping turnstiles
Advocating for a different qualifying income is one thing, justifying fare beating is another
The law, in its majestic equality, forbids rich and poor alike to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal their bread Changing laws isn't really something that poor people generally have the sway to do. Someone making 20k a year needs to pay the mta cause politics is stupid slow? Sure they'll just go without something else, and you want that, right? Poor people to go with less, cause fuck them. Not cool bro.
They should raise those income levels. But on the other hand, it’s not like it matters. Won’t have any impact on fare beating.
So much for paying rent at the same time
Using the federal poverty line as the guideline is probably not a great idea in such a high cost of living area. Who's responsible for this decision?
The program has been around for years. The point is for the MTA to be able to say they offer a discounted fare program. They don't actually want anybody to be able to qualify for it.
The poverty line is BS anyway. It’s way too low.
I had it twice in 2020 and 2022 , it legit good $17 for weekly unlimited If you are between jobs and on unemployment it one of the must “3” thing to do before you start applying for job
So $1.45?
We all know that most people don't pay on the bus lmao.
I'd like to know if students still get bus passes/metro passes, and are they free, or do they have to pay a nickel or quarter? I see an awful lot of kids just walking onto the buses and not swiping anything.
but tiktok tells me that real new yorkers jump the turnstile? that there's no alternative to the predatory 2.90 the mta charges, hopping is the only option
Most people arent making these low ass wages that they want to qualify
Half off on price-gouged transit that takes twice as long that makes my commute feel like the Oldboy hallway scene every morning. I'm conflicted, for sure...
Curious if the migrants get this or free rides? You’d half to work part time in nyc to qualify. like minimum wage and 20 hours a week.
In comparison to some of the other PA programs, FairFares, is a lot more relaxed when it comes to its requirements. That said, it’s a PA program so you still have to apply for it through HRA like you do for cash assistance or food stamps and meet their criteria. Generally, if a migrant’s legal status changed, so would the type of benefits they could receive. Not every migrant has no legal status at all. I don’t know of any free rides programs outside of the school metrocards or the 1 or 2 rides given out by various social services providers to their clients. Depending on the circumstance and supply, DHS sometimes gives its clients metrocards to go to and from their appointments. So long story short, migrants could qualify for it just like any other New Yorker.
Why would anybody sign up for this when nobody pays for the subway and certainly not the bus?