How to Claim Your California Stimulus Check (#1 and #2)

The next round of California stimulus checks will hit bank accounts soon. It is estimated that more than 9 million Californians qualify for the stimulus payments. In this post, we will explain in detail what the “Golden State Stimulus” is, who is eligible, when payments will be made, and answer the most frequently asked questions about the stimulus checks.

First, we will explain what the California Stimulus Check #1 and #2 are about (Golden State Stimulus I and Golden State Stimulus II).

Next, we will provide eligibility requirements for each and how much you are likely to receive and the California Stimulus Check 2 Calculator.

Lastly, we will provide the payment schedule for when the Golden State Stimulus I and Golden State Stimulus II will be made.

Golden State Stimulus Check #1

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California state legislature announced a $9.6 billion spending deal in February 2021 to help those hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This bill is also called the Golden Status Stimulus package.

California will provide the Golden Status Stimulus payment to families and people who qualify. This is a one-time $600 or $1,200 payment.

The Golden State Stimulus aims to:

• Support low-income Californians
• Help those facing hardship due to COVID-19

Who is Eligible for Golden State Stimulus Check 2?

To be eligible for the Golden State Stimulus I (GSS I), you must meet the following criteria:

• Have filed your 2020 taxes
• Be either:
  – A California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) recipient
  – An ITIN filer who made $75,000 or less (total CA AGI)
• 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 (CalEITC)

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 don’t qualify for GSS I, you may qualify for GSS II (see below for details)

How much will I Receive in California Stimulus Check Number 1?

If you meet the eligibility criteria above, here’s how much you are likely to receive:

You may receive either:

• A one-time $600 payment
• A one-time $1,200 payment

The payment will be by direct deposit or check in the mail per tax return.

Use the table below to determine your amount.

On your 2020 tax return…	Stimulus amount
You are a CalEITC recipient	$600
You:
– Are a CalEITC recipient; – File with an ITIN; and – Made $75,000 or less (total CA AGI)	$1,200
You are not a CalEITC recipient, but you:
– File with an ITIN and – Made $75,000 or less (total CA AGI)	$600
You file a joint return and:
– At least one of you files with an ITIN – Made $75,000 or less (total CA AGI)	$600
You file a joint return and:
– You are a CalEITC recipient – At least one of you files with an ITIN – Made $75,000 or less (total CA AGI)	$1,200

Stimulus Check Number 1 deadline

To make sure you receive your Golden State Stimulus I  payment, you must file your 2020 tax returns by October 15, 2021.

When and How Will I Receive my Payment?

Here’s the timeline for when you can expect to receive the $600 Stimulus Check for Californians:

Once your 2020 tax returns are processed and it is determined that you are eligible for the Golden State Stimulus payment, then here’s what will happen:

If you filed your tax return between January 1, 2021, and March 1, 2021:

You will receive your stimulus payment beginning after April 15, 2021.

• Direct deposits: Allow up to 2 weeks
• Paper checks: Allow up to 4 to 6 weeks for mailing

If you filed your tax return between March 2, 2021, and April 23, 2021:

You will receive your stimulus payment beginning after May 1.

• Direct deposits: Allow up to 2 weeks
• Paper checks: Allow up to 4 to 6 weeks for mailing

If you file your tax return after April 23, 2021:

• Direct deposits: Allow up to 45 days after your return has been processed
• Paper checks: Allow up to 60 days after your return has been processed

Some payments may need extra time to process for accuracy and completeness.

Golden State Stimulus Check #2

The Golden State Stimulus II (GSS 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:

Who is Eligible for Golden State Stimulus Check 2?

To be eligible for the Golden State Stimulus II (GSS II), you must meet the following criteria:

• File your 2020 taxes by October 15, 2021
• Have a California Adjusted Gross Income (CA AGI) of $1 to $75,000 for the 2020 tax year. For this information refer to:
  – Line 17 on Form 540
  – Line 16 on Form 540 2EZ
• Have wages of $0 to $75,000 for the 2020 tax year
• Be a California resident for more than half of the 2020 tax year
• Be a California resident on the date payment is issued
• Cannot be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer
  – A dependent is a qualifying child or qualifying relative. Go to FTB Publication 1540 for more information about a qualifying child and qualifying relative

How much will I Receive in California Stimulus Check Number 2?

We have provided two payment scenarios below based on whether you have a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN).

Payment Amounts for those with SSN

If you have a Social Security Number (SSN) and meet all the GSS II eligibility requirements above, here’s how much you are likely to receive in payments:

Your stimulus amount
Scenario	Stimulus amount
You:
– Qualified for GSS I	$500
– Claimed a credit for 1 or more dependents
You:
– Did not qualify for GSS I	$600
– Did not claim a credit for 1 or more dependents
You:
– Did not qualify for GSS I	$1,100
– Claimed a credit for 1 or more dependents
You:
– Qualified for GSS I	You do not qualify for GSS II
– Did not claim a credit for 1 or more dependents

Payment Amounts for those with ITIN

If you have an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) and meet all the GSS II eligibility requirements above, here’s how much you are likely to receive in payments:

Your stimulus amount
Scenario	Stimulus amount
You:
– Qualified for GSS I	$1,000
– Claimed a credit for 1 or more dependents)
You:
– Qualified for GSS I – Did not claim a credit for 1 or more dependents	You do not qualify for GSS II

Stimulus Check Number 2 deadline

To make sure you receive your Golden State Stimulus II  payment, you must file your 2020 tax returns by October 15, 2021.

When and How Will I Receive my Payment?

Here’s the timeline for when you can expect to receive the second California Stimulus Check:

First, if you are eligible, you have to file your 2020 tax returns.

Once your 2020 tax returns are processed and it is determined that you are eligible for the Golden State Stimulus payment, then here’s what will happen:

If you qualify, you will receive your payment by either direct deposit or check in the mail.

Typically, you’ll receive this payment using the refund option you selected on your tax return.

Direct deposit

If you selected direct deposit as your refund option on your tax return, then your California Stimulus Check will be sent via direct deposit to the bank account you provided.

Most direct deposit stimulus payments will be issued between September 1, 2021 and October 31, 2021.

However, some payments may need extra time to process for accuracy and completeness.

If you file your tax return after September 1, 2021, allow up to 45 days after your return has been processed.

Paper check in the mail

However, if you selected paper check as your refund option on your tax return, then you will receive your California Stimulus Check by mail.

California Stimulus Check 2 Calculator

To determine how much you are likely to receive in the second stimulus check payment, you can use the calculator (GSS II estimator).

For the calculator, click here.

 

California Stimulus Check Summary

Here’s 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 (GSS II) payments are different from the Golden State Stimulus I payments.

To receive your payment, file your 2020 tax returns by October 15, 2021.

Questions?

We hope this post on California Stimulus Check was helpful.

If you have further questions about the Golden State Stimulus, CalFresh, or California EBT Card, please let us know in the comments section below.

Be sure to check out our other articles about CalFresh and CalFresh EBT, including:
Restaurants that Take CalFresh in California
How to Apply for California P-EBT
California P-EBT Extension for 2020/2021
CalFresh Account Login Help
How much will I get in CalFresh in 2021?