California stimulus check: how can you receive a new payment of $1100 this month?
The second round of state stimulus payments began to be sent out on September 17, with 2 million checks hitting Californians' bank accounts.
Last year, California was able to run a budget surplus, meaning the state has the money to afford extra stimulus payments outside the federal packages. They are part of the wider $100 billion California Comeback Plan, initiated to lift the state out of the covid-19 depression. As of the August data, California has one of the highest unemployment rates in the US, standing at 7.5 percent.
For the second Golden State Stimulus, the eligibility requirement is those earning up to $75,000 a year. This is much greater than the $30,000 eligibility limit for the first round of checks. You must also be a tax resident in California for more than half of the 2020 tax year.
Receiving it is simple; make sure you have filed a 2020 tax return.
Related news:
- California stimulus check: when will the payments arrive and who qualifies?
- Second $600 Golden State stimulus check: when will I receive it and how to track
- Can I receive a second Golden State Stimulus in California if I got the first payment?
- How many people are receiving second Golden State Stimulus check in California?
How to receive it
The tax board advises that if you are a resident, there is nothing you need to do to qualify for the stimulus payment other than simply filing your tax return by the October 15 deadline. If you live in California and want to see if you qualify, the tax board has a tool you can use here.
More than 9 million people are estimated to qualify for the second stimulus. Governor Newsom is hailing it as "the biggest state tax rebate in American history."
Only 650,000 could receive the first check, but they are not eligible to receive the second. Those who received the first can only access the second if they noted their dependents on their tax return. They can receive $500 per dependent, up to a maximum of $1,000.
How much you will get
Qualifying residents will typically receive an extra $600 or $500 depending on income and how many dependents they claim.
Residents who claim at least one dependent will receive an additional $500, meaning they will receive a total of $1,100.
The recall election and stimulus checks
Governor Newsom faced a challenge to his leadership last week, a challenge he overcame easily. One of the major reasons for his victory in the recall was the public perception of his handling of the pandemic.
Exit polls said 6 in 10 Californians supported his pandemic response, including the use of extra stimulus checks. Nothing like a bit of extra money in the pocket for the public to like a politician.