California is expanding its Golden State Stimulus program for low-income households to middle-class families. Under a new budget that Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to sign, state lawmakers agreed to spend $8.1 billion to help out millions of working families. That comes on top of $3.8 billion sent out earlier this year to low-income families, including undocumented workers, bringing the total package to $11.9 billion — unprecedented for any state.

What does that mean for you?

Generally, households earning up to $75,000 in adjusted gross income will qualify for some state stimulus. The governor says it should cover 78% of California taxpayers and will benefit two in three Californians.

Families with at least one child or other dependent will get an extra boost. And undocumented workers will get an assist too since they were excluded from recent federal stimulus packages. But some residents receiving disability benefits through Social Security Disability Insurance, a federal program, were left out of the state’s stimulus program.

State officials stress the need to file your taxes to get your California stimulus — you won’t get a check without it.

Keep tabs on the latest California policy and politics news

Subscribe

By clicking subscribe, you agree to share your email address with CalMatters to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

Processing… Success! You’re on the list. Whoops! There was an error and we couldn’t process your subscription. Please reload the page and try again.

Timing of the new round of checks is unclear but the administration hopes payments could go out within a matter of weeks.

The Legislature approved a record $262.6 billion spending plan for the fiscal year that began July 1. It was fueled by a $76 billion state surplus and $27 billion in federal aid.

In addition to expanded stimulus checks, California committed to increasing health care for undocumented immigrants, spending billions to alleviate homelessness and helping renters still struggling through the pandemic.

This article is part of The California Divide, a collaboration among newsrooms examining income inequity and economic survival in California.

###

CALmatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.