Cashless ban aims to protect consumers, but Bronx residents say workarounds still cost them
The legislation, recently passed by the New York State Legislature in May, requires businesses to accept cash as a form of payment.
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A potential state law banning most retail and food businesses from going fully cashless is aiming to protect low-income New Yorkers—but some Bronx residents say they’re still being priced out.
The legislation, recently passed by the New York State Legislature in May, requires businesses to accept cash as a form of payment. Lawmakers say it’s a matter of fairness in communities where not everyone has access to credit or debit cards. Others say they are more concerned about security risks.
“A lot of ATMs are rigid, and they take way more than they are supposed to,” said one resident.
“There is a lot of scammers,” added another. “A lot of people read your information and stuff.”
According to a 2025 comptroller report, data from 2021 revealed about 91,000 Bronx households are without access to debit or credit cards, the most out of all the boroughs.
Bronx Chamber of Commerce President Lisa Sorin told News12 businesses that go cashless cut out senior citizens who rely on cash, migrants and low-income families. She says the law would not only help unbanked households, but also businesses.
“In a time where we're looking for our businesses to come back, you want to be totally inclusive and something that doesn't allow for cash is not inclusive,” she said.
Some businesses, while not directly allowing cash payments, offer an alternative option. At Laundry Works in Soundview, customers can’t use coins or bills directly in the washing machines. Instead, they must purchase a prepaid card—using a separate kiosk that charges $2 just to load cash onto it.
Sorin says it's a “common sense bill” and hopes it will be signed into law in the near future.
