Lawmakers in California have reached an agreement on a new covid-19 economic relief bill which would see the state’s low income earners given stimulus checks worth $600. The state-wide initiative is part of a $9.6 billion package which was first announced on Wednesday by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Also included in the package is extra funding for a scheme which provides temporary accommodation to farm workers who are forced to quarantine, and tax breaks for small businesses.

Writing on Twitter after the news was announced, State Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon said: “Our response tackles the human and the economic impacts of COVID in a way that echoes President Biden’s American Rescue Plan and will help those who are hurting most.”

Can you get both a federal and Californian stimulus check?

This developments comes as Congress is still in talks to agree the large-scale stimulus bill proposed by President Joe Biden, known as the American Rescue Plan. Biden had hoped to pass the package early in his presidency but a busy Senate schedule and lack of cooperation from Republicans has made that tricky.

The Californian stimulus check is to act as a stop-gap payment to support the most vulnerable until the new federal bill is agreed. Newsom’s proposal will see stimulus checks sent to anyone earning less than $30,000 per year, or who received the California earned income tax credit in 2020. Crucially, there is nothing stopping you receiving both the federal and the California state stimulus checks, providing you satisfy their respective eligibility requirements.

Those who are eligible will probably receive two direct payments in the coming weeks, as Democrats in Washington appear close to finalising a round of federal stimulus checks worth $1,400. Many will therefore receive up to $2,000 in combined federal and state stimulus checks.

Retroactive payments for groups missed out in the past

Not only does the California stimulus package provide an additional round of stimulus checks, but also includes retroactive payments for those who have been disqualified from previous direct payments from the federal government.

Newsom announced that 5.7 million Californians will be eligible for the direct payment as part of this state-wide round of payments. They will also be opened up to those who have Individual Tax Identification Numbers but lack Social Security Numbers. Not only would they be able to receive stimulus checks for the first time, but they would also be able to receive an additional $600 to make up for the previous round which they missed.

Also included in the expansion are households enrolled in CalWORKS or the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants, who were not mentioned in previous versions of the Golden State Stimulus plan.

Finally, those who qualify for the Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment for those who are 65 or older, blind or disabled will also be eligible for a $600 stimulus check under this new proposal.

In a statement, Newsom said of the new stimulus package: “As we continue to fight the pandemic and recover, I’m grateful for the Legislature’s partnership to provide urgent relief and support for California families and small businesses where it’s needed most.”