New York, NY – April 26, 2022: Mayor Eric Adams deliver State of the City address and reflection on the first 100 days of his administration at Kings Theatre (Shutterstock)

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today kicked off a campaign to highlight new benefits, including access to cultural institutions and other recreational centers, for city residents with an IDNYC. A Day of Action will take place on Wednesday, May 4th, where the New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) will lead an interagency and multilingual citywide effort to encourage New Yorkers to enroll for an IDNYC or renew their current card. DSS and MOIA will have multilingual staff and volunteers available to help New Yorkers at train stations and other points in the city.

“An IDNYC unlocks benefits many New Yorkers don’t even realize they have access to, and thanks to the expansion of services we’re announcing today, New Yorkers will be able to do even more across New York City effective immediately,” said Mayor Adams. “All New Yorkers will utilize the benefits of this card, regardless of immigration status, that will allow them to enjoy the benefits of so many of the city’s many cultural institutions and recreational centers.”

“With over 1 million enrollees, IDNYC is an innovative and inclusive program that provides access to a wide variety of benefits and cultural resources across the city,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “IDNYC provides a valuable service to New Yorkers, and I am happy to see the list of partners continue to grow, and excited for this push for usage of the IDNYC program.”

IDNYC — managed by DSS in close collaboration with MOIA — is the largest and most successful municipal ID program in the country, providing all New Yorkers with a broadly accepted government-issued photo identification, regardless of background or immigration status. New Yorkers with an IDNYC card expiring in less than 60 days, or whose card has been expired for less than six months, can now renew their IDNYC through an online portal or by appointment at an enrollment center.

IDNYC benefits all city residents, including undocumented immigrants, New Yorkers experiencing homelessness, the formerly incarcerated, and others who may have difficulty obtaining other government-issued photo IDs. New Yorkers may renew their cards up to 90 days before expiration, and up to one year after it expires. Due to reduced capacities at IDNYC enrollment centers during the COVID-19 pandemic, the IDNYC program expanded the renewal period for all cardholders whose cards expired in 2020 — expanding the renewal period through December 31, 2022.

“We are delighted to launch our IDNYC renewal effort as we continue to honor and strengthen New York City’s inclusive legacy,” said DSS Commissioner Gary Jenkins. “The program has provided more than 1 million New Yorkers with proof of identification, which is vital for vulnerable New Yorkers looking to access the city resources and supports to which they are entitled. As I renew my IDNYC card today, I urge all New Yorkers to join me and enroll in this program as we build a more equitable, diverse, and accessible city for every New Yorker, regardless of background.”

“The IDNYC card has been instrumental in helping vulnerable communities get access to city resources and enjoy great benefits, like discounts on food and cultural attractions,” said MOIA Commissioner Manuel Castro. “MOIA is proud to continue to work with DSS on the IDNYC renewal effort to ensure communities continue to use their card as a passport across the city.”

  immigrants, immigration, Mayor Eric Adams, NYC, undocumented, undocumented immigrants