Lawmakers to consider Onondaga County’s senior stimulus program

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Onondaga County Legislature will take up a proposed senior household stimulus program during its legislative session scheduled for July 5.

Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon proposed the program during his 2022 State of the County address. It calls for eligible senior households to receive a one-time $200 stimulus to assist in their economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and current economic pressures.

Eligible seniors are those who are currently receiving the New York State Enhanced STAR exemption for the 2022-2023 school year. The one-time program is estimated to cost $5.5 million. The county will draw the money from its fund balance. About 27,500 households are estimated to be eligible, per McMahon’s office.

McMahon on June 21 announced that the program was moving forward, following approval by the county legislature’s Health and Human Services committee, which was held that morning. 

The legislature’s Ways and Means committee also approved the proposal during its meeting on June 28, a spokesman for McMahon’s office tells CNYBJ in an email.

“We all know that many of our senior citizens are on fixed incomes and the current rate of inflation is making it increasingly difficult for them to pay the bills and put food on the table,” McMahon said during the State of the County address. “While these payments will not solve the larger economic head winds we are all facing, it will provide some temporary relief for those who need it most.”