California Stimulus Check Eligibility: Who Qualifies For $600 Payments
California is issuing $600 stimulus checks to 5.7 million Californians who qualify for the Golden State Stimulus payment to aid those suffering financial hardship amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The payments are being issued either via direct deposit or as paper checks.
The California Franchise Tax Board states: “You may receive this payment if you receive the California Earned Income Tax Credit or file with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number .”
To qualify for CalEITC, you must have taxable earned income up to $30,000, not use “married/RDP filing separately” if married or RDP and meet all other qualifications, the FTB advises. See the CalEITC website for more information on other requirements.
ITIN taxpayers who also qualify for the California EITC will receive a total payment of $1,200, the governor’s office said in a statement on February 17 announcing the Golden State Stimulus plan.
Others may also qualify for the stimulus check, such as those enrolled in the CalWORKS program and recipients of federal benefits. See below a full list of those who qualify for the Golden State Stimulus payment.
Gov Gavin Newsom Has Announced Details Of A New Covid
It was announced Wednesday that lawmakers in California had agreed details of a $9.6 billion covid-19 relief package which includes a new round of $600 stimulus checks for the states low income earners. The plan was announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday and appears to be a tweaked version of the Golden State Stimulus plan he proposed last month.
Aside from the stimulus checks, billions of dollars have been designated for grants for small businesses and to provide emergency accomodation for the states many farmworkers who are forced to quarantine after testing positive for the coronavirus.
Anthony Rendon, Speaker of the State Assembly, said the package would help those who are hurting most, adding: “We are building an economic foundation for the recovery of jobs, small businesses and, indeed, our everyday lives.
Golden State Stimulus Check #2
The Golden State Stimulus II payments are different from the Golden State Stimulus I payments.
GSS I payments were a one-time check of either $600 or $1,200.
As mentioned above, it went out to those who typically earned less than $30,000 and received the California Earned Income Tax Credit, or CalEITC, or those who filed their taxes with an Individual Tax Identification Number, or ITIN.
However, GSS II has been expanded so that more Californians qualify.
Here are the eligibility requirements for GSS II:
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Californians Heres How To Get Your Real Id License Without A Dmv Visit
The state partners with the Auto Club of Southern California to ease access.
There are two caveats with the second iteration of the Golden State Stimulus. For those who made less than $30,000 and received a state stimulus check earlier this year and did not claim a dependent, a second payment is not coming. Likewise, ITIN filers without dependents do not qualify this time around.
Other Problems With Your Payment

If you received payment and have a problem, follow these steps:
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Why Is California Giving Out Another Stimulus Check
“California’s budget addresses the state’s most pressing needs, and prioritizes getting dollars back into the pockets of millions of Californians who are grappling with global inflation and rising prices of everything from gas to groceries,” Newsom, Senate President pro tempore Toni Atkins and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon said in a joint statement.
“In the face of growing economic uncertainty, this budget invests in California’s values while further filling the state’s budget reserves and building in triggers for future state spending to ensure budget stability for years to come.”
Those Part Of Calworks/capi And Receivers Of Ssi/ssp
California’s relief package “now provides direct relief to more lower-income Californians through a $600 one-time grant to households enrolled in the CalWORKS program and recipients of SSI/SSP and Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants ,” the governor’s office stated.
“Grant payments for CalWORKS households are expected by mid-April timing for the delivery of SSI/SSP and CAPI grants is currently under discussion with federal officials,” the governor’s office added.
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How Much Is The Refund
The refund amount will be based on the adjusted gross income reported on your 2020 California tax return. It can be found on line 17 of your 2020 Form 540 or Line 16 of Form 540 2EZ.
The refund will be one amount if you had no dependents with an extra, flat payment if you claimed a tax credit for one or more dependents.
For single filers, the refund will be:
Income of $75,000 or less: $700 with a dependent/$350 without
Income of $75,001 to $125,000: $500 with a dependent/$250 without
Income of $125,001 to $250,000: $400 with a dependent/$200 without
For married couples filing jointly, the refund will be:
Income of $150,000 or less: $1,050 with a dependent/$700 without
Income of $150,001 to $250,000: $750 with a dependent/$500 without
Income of $250,001 to $500,000: $600 with a dependent/$400 without
For those filing as head of household or surviving spouse, the income brackets are the same as for married couples, but the refunds will be: $700/$350 for the lowest bracket, $500/$250 for the middle bracket and $400/$200 for the highest bracket.
Check If You Qualify For The Golden State Stimulus
To qualify, you must:
- An ITIN filer who made $75,000 or less
You must include your ITIN on your tax return. Your ITIN cannot be pending. Wait to file your tax return until you have your ITIN. You are eligible for the GSS if you file on or before October 15. If you have applied for your ITIN but have not received it by October 15, 2021, you have until February 15, 2022 to file your 2020 tax return to claim your GSS I.
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The Golden State Stimulus I
Gov. Newsom signed a legislative relief package on Feb. 23, 2021, that authorized the Golden State Stimulus I to aid the households in California that had faced a disproportionate economic burden due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including those with incomes below $30,000, as well as those who did not receive federal stimulus relief.
The program provided $600 in one-time payments to the households that received the California Earned Income Tax Credit for 2020. The GSS also provided $600 one-time payments to the taxpayers who failed to receive federal reliefs by filing with ITINs. The Golden State Stimulus I stimulus checks are available to the residents with ITINs and earnings below $75,000 and ITIN taxpayers with earnings below $30,000. They also qualify for the California Earned Income Tax Credit and would receive a total of $1,200. The payments will be distributed to the residents right after they file their 2020 taxes. This payment is not similar to the Golden State Stimulus II.
If you qualify, all you have to do to receive the Golden State Stimulus I payment is to file your 2020 California State tax return!
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The above article is intended to provide generalized financial information designed to educate a broad segment of the public it does not give personalized tax, investment, legal, or other business and professional advice. Before taking any action, you should always seek the assistance of a professional who knows your particular situation for advice on taxes, your investments, the law, or any other business and professional matters that affect you and/or your business.
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Who Is Eligible For Golden State Stimulus Check 2
To be eligible for the Golden State Stimulus I , you must meet the following criteria:
- Have filed your 2020 taxes
- Be either: A California Earned Income Tax Credit recipient An ITIN filer who made $75,000 or less
- Be a California resident on the date payment is issued
- Be 18 years or older as of the last date of the tax year
- Not be eligible to be claimed as a dependent
Here are the qualifications for the California Earned Income Tax Credit
To qualify for CalEITC, you must:
- Have taxable earned income up to $30,000
- Not use married/RDP filing separately if married or RDP
- Live in California for more than half the year
- Meet all other qualifications
If you dont qualify for GSS I, you may qualify for GSS II
Click the link below to read the Governors press release regarding the new Golden State Stimulus II.
California FTB
You Receive Your Ca Tax Refund By Mail

California began issuing batches of stimulus payments by direct deposit back in late August but only started sending paper checks out by mail earlier this month. As a result, those who typically get their state refund through the mail should expect a delay possibly even through the new year.
Additionally, where you live can also affect when you get the payment, as mailing times are based on the taxpayers last three digits of their ZIP code.
The Franchise Tax Board provided the following timeline of when it expects mailed payments to go out:
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California Stimulus Check Summary
Heres the bottom line:
The state of California will provide the Golden Status Stimulus payment to families and people who qualify.
There is Golden State Stimulus I and Golden State Stimulus II.
The Golden State Stimulus II payments are different from the Golden State Stimulus I payments.
To receive your payment, file your 2020 tax returns by October 15, 2021.
Hey California,
You Receive Social Security Or Other Benefits But No Extra Income
People who receive Social Security, CalWorks and CalFresh benefits, Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment/and Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants, State Disability Insurance and VA disability benefits, or unemployment income generally do not qualify for a GSS II payment if those benefits are their only income source, according to the state, noting that those forms are not included in AGI.
However, if the recipient has other sources that do count as adjusted gross income, they may qualify to receive a stimulus check.
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How To Check The Amount
California has an online tool that allows residents to see if they are eligible for Golden State Stimulus II and to check the estimated payment amount.
The tool asks a series of questions, including a persons tax filing status, adjusted gross income reported on their 2020 return and whether they have any dependents. It then provides an estimated monetary figure.
Those who are eligible for a stimulus check may receive the funds in more than one payment, the estimate notes.
Golden State Stimulus I
California will provide the Golden State Stimulus payment to families and individuals who qualify. This is a one-time $600 or $1,200 payment per tax return. You may receive this payment if you receive the California Earned Income Tax Credit or file with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number .
The Golden State Stimulus aims to:
- Support low-income Californians
- Help those facing a hardship due to COVID-19
For most Californians who qualify, you dont need to do anything to receive the stimulus payment.
The GSS I payment is a different payment than the Golden State Stimulus II .
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Your Bank Account Number
When you file your taxes, make sure you use your current banking information if you would like your payment through direct deposit.
Typically, you’ll receive this payment using the refund option you select on your tax return. If you received an advanced refund through your tax service provider or paid your tax preparation fees using your refund, you’ll receive your payment by check in the mail.
Individuals With An Ssn
- Qualified for GSS I and claimed a credit for at least one dependent: $500
- Didnt qualify for GSS I and did not claim a credit for any dependents: $600
- Didnt qualify for GSS I and claimed a credit for at least one dependent: $1,100
- Qualified for GSS I and didnt claim a credit for any dependents: $0
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Most Californians To Receive Another Stimulus Check
California’s latest round of Golden State Stimulus checks will soon bring a little more green for people who qualify.
LOS ANGELES — California’s latest round of Golden State Stimulus checks will soon bring a little more green for people who qualify.
Andrew LePage of the California Franchise Tax Board says people eligible will receive checks between $500 and $1,100 in most cases.
LePage says people will typically qualify with an income of less than $75,000 last year, have lived in California for most of the year, live in the state now, are not claimed as a dependent and filed 2020 taxes before Oct. 15, 2021.
How much will you get? If you qualify, $600 will be given. If you file jointly, your combined income would need to be less than $75,000. Plus, another $500 if you have dependents.
Are children the only people who qualify as dependents, or are adult dependents also factored in?
“There are others who can qualify, and it gets a little technical,” LePage said. “That’s laid out on the website, ftb.ca.gov.”
“For example, if you qualify for GSS 2, and you did not get a Golden State Stimulus and you have one or more dependents, you would get $1,100 for Golden State Stimulus 2,” LePage explained.
People with ITINs instead of Social Security numbers will receive $1,000 with a dependent.
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The Deadline To Apply For The Second Golden State Stimulus Check Has Already Passed But Some Residents Have An Extension To Allow Them To File State Taxes

The second round of Golden State stimulus checks was provided by the California Comeback Plan, the $100 billion stimulus package signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom back in July 2021. The first payments went out in last year and the distribution effort is nearly complete.
To be eligible for the payments California residents must have submitted their 2020 tax return no later than 15 October 2021. This was necessary for the California Franchise Tax Board to decide how much each individuals entitlement was and to make sure that it goes to the correct bank account.
The vast majority of people who are able to receive a Golden State stimulus check will now have received theirs, but there are some exceptions.
Paper check recipients may experience delays
The final batch of payments scheduled for the Golden State stimulus check was sent out on 11 January, meaning that most will have already received theirs. The payments were staggered between October 2021 and January 2022 on the basis of the final three digits of the recipients ZIP code.
As well the case with the three rounds of federal stimulus checks, payments made via direct deposit into a bank account were issued first and often arrived within days. The final payments to be distributed were the paper stimulus checks, which were sent to those with limited banking access.
The deadline can be extended for those who request an ITIN
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Stimulus Check: Californians Will Get Up To $1050 In Inflation Relief Checks
About 23 million California residents will receive “inflation relief” checks of up to $1,050 after Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday signed a $308 billion state budget that includes the payments.
The checks are part of a $17 billion relief package that will also suspend the state’s sales tax on diesel fuel and provide additional aid to help people with rent and utility bills, Newsom said in a statement. The inflation-relief checks are tax refunds that will send a total of $9.5 billion back to state residents.
The agreement comes as California drivers face the highest gasoline prices in the U.S., with the average price for a gallon of gas in the state at $6.27 on Friday or about 29% higher than the national average. Earlier this year, Newsom had proposed sending stimulus checks of $400 per vehicle to state residents, with a cap of two vehicles. But other lawmakers had pushed for a plan that would provide bigger checks to people who earn less.
We have an agreement with the legislature on Californias budget!This budget takes immediate actions to give $$ back to millions who are grappling with global inflation and rising costs while tackling some of the greatest challenges of our time.Here’s what you need to know:
Office of the Governor of California
“In the face of new challenges and uncertainties, we’re providing over $17 billion in relief to help families make ends meet,” Newsom said in the Thursday statement.