On Sept. 17, a new round of Golden State Stimulus II payments will be delivered to bank accounts across California. The first wave of benefits was distributed on Aug. 27; this batch will benefit at least 2 million Californians.
Will I Get $600 or $1,100?
Golden State Stimulus II payments differ from Golden State Stimulus I payments made earlier this year. Those who normally earned less than $30,000 and got the state's Earned Income Tax Credit, or CalEITC, or those who filed their taxes with an Individual Tax Identification Number, or ITIN, received GSS I payments, which consisted of a one-time check of either $600 or $1,200.
GSS II has been broadened to include more Californians. If you have lived in California for more than half of the tax year 2020, you are eligible for a $600 reward (you must still be a California resident on the date the payment is issued).
If you do not qualify for GSS II, check to see if you are eligible for GSS I. Californians who received the previous GSS I payment may be eligible for a GSS II payment of $500 or $1,000 if they claimed any qualifying child or relative as a dependent on their 2020 tax return.
Others are not eligible for GSS II payments, including those who have already received GSS I and do not have any dependents. Other benefits, such as Social Security, CalWorks, unemployment, or state disability, do not qualify Californians.
How Do I Check My Payment Total?
Except for filing your 2020 tax return, most Californians who qualify for GSS II will not have to do anything. If you still have paperwork to file, you can do so online, on paper, or in person.
You can use the Franchise Tax Board estimator to check if you qualify or estimate the amount of your GSS II. If you have a Social Security number and meet all of the GSS II conditions, you should earn $600 if you don't have any dependents and $1,100 if you do.
When Will I Get My Golden State Stimulus II Check?
California's stimulus funds are scheduled to be distributed twice a month, or roughly every two weeks, though some may be distributed earlier or later. The majority of direct payments will be made before Oct. 15.
If you filed your state tax return after Aug. 20, you may have to wait at least 45 days for it to be processed and a check mailed to you.
