CALIFORNIA is giving up to $1,000 to undocumented immigrants as part of a $125million stimulus fund. The fund is to give $500 to eligible people who can not receive federal coronavirus relief funding – like stimulus checks or unemployment – due to their immigration status. The funds, which become available today, are expected to help 150,000 […]
CALIFORNIA is giving up to $1,000 to undocumented immigrants as part of a $125million stimulus fund.
The fund is to give $500 to eligible people who can not receive federal coronavirus relief funding – like stimulus checks or unemployment – due to their immigration status.
The funds, which become available today, are expected to help 150,000 undocumented immigrants facing financial hardship amid the pandemic, according to the state’s Department of Social Services.
Funds are available to as many as two people per household – or up to $1,000.
The funds will be available until June 30 – or until they run out.
As a state, California pledged $75million to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants program, KTLA reported.
Private contributions helped raise another $50million for the fund, bringing the total to $125 million.
People can apply for the funds with the help of 12 different nonprofit organizations designated by the CDSS.
The financial aid to immigrants was first announced by Gov Gavin Newsom on April 15.
“California is the most diverse state in the nation. Our diversity makes us stronger and more resilient,” Newsom said in a statement.
“Every Californian, including our undocumented neighbors and friends, should know that California is here to support them during this crisis.
“We are all in this together,” Newsom added.
Stimulus checks first rolled out to Americans after a $2.2trillion coronavirus relief package was passed in Congress and signed off by President Donald Trump in late March.
The package included stimulus checks for millions of Americans.
Several demographics of people were not eligible for stimulus checks however – including adults that could be claimed as dependents, like some with disabilities and college students.
Checks only went to people with social security numbers – not immigrants with tax ID numbers, as noted by Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
“Thanks to GOP, these checks will be cut off the backs of *taxpaying immigrants,* who get nothing. “Many are essential workers who pay more taxes than Amazon. Wall St gets $4T,” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted when the stimulus package was passed.
Stimulus checks gave $1,200 to single taxpayers, $2,400 for married couples and an additional $500 per child.
As direct deposit stimulus money went out to many Americans, for those without a bank account, some may be waiting for up to five months for the checks as they’re sent out in the mail.
Many are eagerly awaiting their stimulus money, as unemployment rates jumped to 14.7 percent in April, and more than 36 million Americans have filed jobless claims amid the pandemic.
As many people are still waiting on their emergency coronavirus money, there’s hope that a second round of stimulus checks will pass.
Late last week, the House passed a $3trillion coronavirus relief bill, which included a second round of checks for Americans.
The new bill would include $1,200 more for individuals, and up to $6,000 per household – but the so-called Heroes Act is expected to get shredded as it heads to the Senate.
