NEW YORK (VINnews) — Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Thursday that New York City will eliminate all out-of-pocket child care costs for families currently receiving subsidized child care through city contracts and vouchers.

Beginning in September, the city will cover the approximately $5.2 million in annual fees currently paid by roughly 22,000 low-income families receiving assistance through the Child Care Assistance Program.

The administration said the funding has been baselined at $6.24 million beginning in fiscal year 2028.

“For thousands of families, a weekly child care fee means another bill they simply can’t afford,” Mamdani said. “Making that care truly free can make all the difference.”

Families already receiving subsidized care will not need to take any additional action to receive the benefit.

The Child Care Assistance Program provides subsidized care for eligible children from 6 weeks through age 13, and through age 19 for children with disabilities. More than 100,000 children currently receive vouchers in New York City, while thousands more receive extended-day care through city-funded programs.

The announcement is part of Mamdani’s broader push toward universal child care.

The city said it has received more than 5,700 applications for its first free universal 2-K program. Demand was nearly three times the number of available seats, according to the administration.

Mamdani has also announced that 2-K will operate full-day and full-year, while the city is expanding 3-K by 2,000 seats across the five boroughs.

“This is another step toward making affordable child care something every New York family can count on,” Mamdani said.

Governor Kathy Hochul praised the initiative, pointing to the state’s $1.2 billion investment to support and expand New York City’s child care infrastructure.

“This commitment is one more way we are putting money back in New Yorkers’ pockets, putting families first and ensuring they have the resources they need to thrive,” Hochul said.