May 24, 2017

In 2013, NYC Opportunity launched Paycheck Plus to test a simulated, expanded earned income tax credit (EITC) for single (unmarried) adults without dependent children in NYC. The demonstration, which was done in partnership with MDRC, CUNY, Food Bank for New York City, and the Human Resources Administration (HRA), uses a randomized control trial with a goal of understanding whether the program increases employment and earnings.

The five-year Paycheck Plus pilot is being evaluated by MRDC and will help inform policy discussions focused on poverty and work supports. The evaluation will follow individuals over a four-year period, tracking their employment, earnings, and other outcomes. This video by MDRC profiles six New Yorkers who are participating in the Paycheck Plus demonstration.

The project is partially funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through a Section 1115 waiver coordinated by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. It also receives assistance from HRA, which is focused on the information it is generating about noncustodial parent participation and impacts.

Paycheck Plus is an example of how NYC Opportunity is building evidence to inform federal tax policy. To learn more about our work in data, design, digital products, evaluation, and research, visit our What We Do page.