Hey, New York: You win the prize!

So says USA Today.

But what a prize it is.

According to the newspaper, no state gives more money to its citizens than the erstwhile Empire State.

So we’re No. 1 — in dependency.

Oy, the ignominy.

The study, based on federal data, puts the cost of social programs — Medicaid, food stamps, college scholarships and other benefits — at $9,442 for every man, woman and child in New York (not just those who get benefits).

That beats out other states with large numbers of poor folks, like 15th-place Florida ($7,939 per resident), 35th-place California ($6,869) and 46th-place Texas ($6,167). Medicaid is a key culprit: New York spends more than twice the national average on Medicaid and a third more than any other state.

Once New York was known as the leader in areas New Yorkers could be proud of — culture, finance, commerce …

Now it sets the pace for government handouts.

What a sad commentary.