CA Stimulus Checks Are Coming. Will You Get One?

CALIFORNIA — Another round of $600 Golden State Stimulus checks will arrive starting next week for millions of Californians who were left out of the first round of checks. California is the only state to send out pandemic stimulus payments with its own money.

Gov. Gavin Newsom on July 12 signed a $100 billion California Comeback Plan, the second round of $600-plus checks, which will go to those who made up to $75,000 last year — an estimated 11 million middle-income Californians. Another $500 will go to families with children, and an additional rebate of $500 would go to many people living in the country without documentation.

It's important to note that the new stimulus would go only to residents who did not receive the first $600 payment: those who made $30,000 or less in 2020. Low-income residents who received the first $600 — or in some cases $1,200 — would not get a second $600 payment, Newsom's office told Patch.

"However, those who got the first [stimulus] payment could potentially be eligible for the $500 payment if they are a qualified family (meet income requirements) with a dependent," Newsom's office said in an email to Patch in May. "There is also a $500 payment for [individual taxpayer identification number] filers."

SEE ALSO: CalMatters: Look up your Golden State Stimulus amount

Two thirds of Californians and 78 percent of taxpayers were estimated to recieve the $600 stimulus payment in September, officials said.

Eligible Californians must also have filed their tax returns to get the September payments. For those who already filed a tax return but didn't claim the California earned income tax credit, the state urged them to file an amended return.

"We're investing that in the unprecedented challenges the state faces, including into addressing the needs of people that are working hard, playing by the rules and barely making ends meet," Newsom previously told reporters.

The stimulus checks were made possible by a gargantuan 2021 state budget and a record amount of spending, with agreements to expand health care to undocumented people, fund solutions for homelessness and help Californians most affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

“Harnessing the largest surplus in state history, we’re making transformative investments across the board that will help bring all our communities roaring back from the pandemic — and pay dividends for generations to come,” Newsom said in July.

The fiscal year, which began July 1, kicked off with a historic $262.6 billion that was bolstered by a $75.7 billion surplus and $27 billion in federal coronavirus aid. During the same time last year, the state announced a $54.3 billion projected shortfall.

"It's a remarkable turnaround," Newsom said in May.

The payments begin arriving in the same month that voters will decide Newsom's fate in office. The state's recall election to oust the governor is scheduled for Sept. 14. The contest pits 45 hopefuls against Newsom, who has lambasted the the effort as one backed by Republicans, those against the coronavirus vaccine and supporters of former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Read more about the upcoming election here.