“Liberal City Council members are pushing a bill that would automatically enroll residents in programs to receive social benefits — even if they’re illegal immigrants.”

“Council member Crystal Hudson is pushing the measure, which would have the Department of Social Services mine tax data, social services rolls and other government records to identify New Yorkers who quality for “city-created benefit programs” and sign them up without so much as having to file an application.”

“neither lawmakers nor Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration could estimate how much the auto enroll program would cost taxpayers.”

“She pointed to Fair Fares, a program that offers half-priced subway and bus rides for low-income New Yorkers, where only about 37% of eligible riders were enrolled as of late 2025.”

“The Finance Division wrote that the legislation “may necessitate increased funding for the Department of Social Services, but currently there is not sufficient information available to assess the cost.””

“The city’s Office of Management and Budget also did not provide an estimate.”

“The bill is cosponsored by a slate of Progressive Caucus members and allies, including Lincoln Restler, Julie Won, Carmen De La Rosa, Gale Brewer, Shahana Hanif, Harvey Epstein and Farah Louis.”