Where is my California Golden State Stimulus? How to check when it will arrive

The State of California passed a $9.6 billion relief package back in February 2021 to provide assistance to residents struggling with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Among the measures was a California-wide equivalent of the nationwide federal stimulus checks. The California payments are known as Golden State Stimulus checks and are being paid out by the state’s Franchise Tax Board (FTB); they are worth $600 or $1,200 depending on eligibility. Check out the eligibility rules.

I’m eligible for the Golden State Stimulus: when will it arrive?

The Golden State Stimulus eligibility rules look at a taxpayer’s income declared on the 2020 state tax return and the FTB is therefore making the stimulus check payments based on when the return was filed.

Tax return filed between 1 January and 1 March

If you filed your return before 1 March the FTB has said you should receive your stimulus check at some point after 15 April. If you’re receiving it by direct deposit you should have already received it, as the FTB said it would pay out within two weeks of 15 April. If you believe you should have received a direct deposit and it is now 45 days past when you expected it, it is worth contacting the FTB. (You can call them on (800) 852-5711 or (916) 845-6500 from outside the US, on weekdays from 8am to 5pm)

For paper check recipients the FTB said it would be within four to six weeks of the 15 April, meaning there are still another couple of weeks before the end of the expected period.

Tax return filed between 2 March and 23 April

If you filed your taxes after 1 March but up to 23 April, the date for payment was given by the FTB as being after 1 May. For direct deposit recipients payments were expected to be made within two weeks, meaning you should have already received or be about to. Again, if you believe you should have received a direct deposit and have not it is likely worth contacting the FTB this coming week, provided it is 45 days past when you expected it.

Paper check recipients who filed between 2 March and 23 April are expected to receive their check within four to six weeks after 1 May.

Taxes filed after 23 April

For filers who sent in their return after 23 April the sums will be paid out in line with when the return was filed:

Direct-deposit recipients - within 45 days of their return being processed

Paper-check recipients - within 60 days of their return being processed

The FTB has a ‘wait time dashboard’ which you can check to see how long it will take for returns to be processed after filing.

See also:

US stimulus checks: live updates

You’ll find updates on the Golden State Stimulus payments, as well as information on the third round of federal stimulus checks and news on a potential fourth round, in our dedicated daily live blog.