California will soon be sending out $600 one-time stimulus payments to millions of low-income California households, with extra help for undocumented workers left out of the federal government’s pandemic relief. The Golden State Stimulus is part of a $7.6 billion economic stimulus package that Gov. Gavin Newsom signed today that also includes billions in relief for small businesses.
“Those who have been left behind in that federal stimulus, California’s not going to leave you behind.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom
An estimated 5.7 million checks will go to low-income Californians, including families with children enrolled in CalWORKS, as well as elderly, blind and disabled recipients of Supplemental Security Income or the state’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants.
“Lower-wage workers have often been on the front lines in service jobs with high levels of exposure,” said Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon. “This will give them an additional tax rebate to help them make ends meet.”
The $3.8 billion stimulus payment program is the result of weeks of negotiations between lawmakers, after Newsom first proposed a narrower version of the stimulus in January.
Here’s who will receive a Golden State Stimulus check:
- Low-income Workers
- An estimated 3.8 million workers who made up to $30,000 last year will qualify for a $600 tax rebate along with the 2020 California Earned Income Tax Credit. This includes undocumented workers who file taxes.
- When: Four to five weeks after filing 2020 tax returns, if you have direct deposit or Six to seven weeks after filing, if you need the check mailed.
- Undocumented workers
- About 215,000 undocumented workers who made less than $30,000 will qualify for a second stimulus payment, bringing their total to $1,200. Roughly 350,000 undocumented workers who made between $30,000 and $75,000 can qualify for a single $600 tax rebate.
- When: Four to five weeks after filing 2020 tax returns, if you have direct deposit or Six to seven weeks after filing, if you need the check mailed.
- CalWORKS recipients
- An estimated 405,000 very low-income families with children who are enrolled in CalWORKS will receive grant payments of $600.
- When: By Mid-April
- Blind, elderly and disabled people
- An estimated 1.2 million blind, elderly and disabled recipients of Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment or the state’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants will receive grant payments of $600.
- When: Unclear. Timing depends on coordination with the Social Security Administration, according to the state.
