Who Is Eligible for California’s $725 Stimulus Check?
California has introduced a new guaranteed income program specifically aimed at helping families of young children in Sacramento County. Starting on October 7, eligible parents can apply for monthly stimulus checks of up to $725. This program, however, is not available to everyone. It’s targeted at families with children aged 0 to 5 years old who are African American, Native American, or Alaska Native. These groups were identified due to their higher risk of involvement with Child Protective Services (CPS), according to local government statistics.
This initiative aims to reduce the number of children placed in foster care, with the ultimate goal of keeping families together. If you are a parent or legal guardian of a child within these ethnic groups, you may qualify for this financial assistance.
What Are the Income Requirements?
To be eligible for the $725 monthly payments, your income must fall below 200% of the federal poverty level. This is an important factor to keep in mind, as it ensures the assistance goes to families in the greatest need. The income limit is in place to prioritize lower-income families struggling to make ends meet.
For reference, the federal poverty line in 2024 for a family of four is $30,000, meaning your family would need to earn less than $60,000 annually to qualify for this program.
Where Do You Need to Live to Apply?
Even if you meet the ethnic and income criteria, there’s another key requirement: location. Only residents of specific zip codes within Sacramento County are eligible to apply. If you live in any of the following zip codes, you may be eligible:
- 95815
- 95821
- 95823
- 95828
- 95825
- 95838
These zip codes represent areas in Sacramento County with higher rates of child abuse cases and families at risk of CPS intervention. The local government wants to provide a financial safety net in these areas to help parents better support their children.
When and How Can You Apply for the $725 Monthly Stimulus?
Applications for this guaranteed income program will open on October 7, 2024, and will close on October 13, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Only a limited number of families—200 in total—will be selected to receive the monthly payments. Given the limited availability, it’s important to apply as soon as applications open.
To apply, you’ll need to visit the website ffesp.org. Make sure to double-check the eligibility requirements before applying, as only those who meet all the criteria will be considered. Since selection is random, not everyone who applies will receive the funds.
Why Is This Program Focused on Specific Communities?
The program’s focus on African American, Native American, and Alaska Native children stems from local data revealing that these children are disproportionately affected by the child welfare system. In Sacramento County, African American children are 4.6 times more likely to be investigated by CPS and 4.5 times more likely to be placed into foster care compared to their peers. Native American and Alaska Native children also face a significantly higher risk of CPS involvement.
This program aims to address those disparities by offering financial support to help families stay together and reduce the need for child welfare intervention. By providing monthly payments, the program hopes to ease the financial burden on families, reducing the chances of neglect or abuse that might otherwise lead to CPS involvement.
