Second $600 Golden State Stimulus in California: can I get it if I receive the first one?
Californians who missed out on the first round of Golden State Stimulus checks may qualify for the second. Checks for up to $1,100 could go out in July.
On 28 June, the California Legislature approved a $262.6 billion budget including an $8 billion package to send another round of Golden States Stimulus Checks. Governor Gavin Newsom has until 1 July to sign the bill releasing the funds to deliver aid to families and undocumented Californians.
The program is one of the measures Governor Newsom had proposed as a part of the California Comeback Plan. The "Golden State Stimulus II” will send a $600 check to Californians that didn’t receive one in the first round. Families with dependents will also get an additional $500. Undocumented Californians will receive another $500.
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Who is eligible to receive a Golden State Stimulus Check?
This is the second time this year that lawmakers have approved a stimulus check for Californians. The first time, residents earning less than $30,000 and other groups including immigrants, who were left out of federal stimulus programs received a payment. Depending on their tax filing, dependent, and income status, recipients either received a check worth $600 or $1,200.
The bill approved on Monday raises the income eligibility cap to $75,000 a year or less. However, those who received a check the first time round will not qualify for a second. Additionally, two groups, adults with dependents and undocumented families, will be able to claim one additional $500 check. Around two out of every three Californians will receive stimulus payments according to state officials.
For those in the state that submitted a 2020 tax return and meet the income requirements, the state has the information needed to send the check. If sticking with the two options the state used when sending the first round of direct payments, those eligible can expect to receive a physical check in the mail or through direct deposit.
When will the Golden State Stimulus checks be sent?
Governor Newsom has until Thursday, 1 July to sign the bill for the "Golden State Stimulus II” checks, which he is expected to do. Once the bill is signed, the state will make more information available on when payments will go out.
The first round of stimulus checks sent by the state government was distributed by the California Tax Franchise Board (CTFB). During the first rounds of payments, the CTFB told individuals to wait for up to two weeks for direct deposits and four-to-six weeks for checks.