Financial aid

Are you a resident of California or New York? These states are delivering stimulus checks in 2025

Some California and New York residents are eligible for new stimulus checks. Here are the eligibility requirements and amounts in each state.

Getty Images

Daniela Barrera Greg Heilman

Estados Unidos Update: May 26th, 2025 23:25 EDT

Millions of Americans in two major states—California and New York—may see a financial boost this year, thanks to new stimulus-style programs rolling out in 2025. While federal relief checks have long ended, local governments are stepping in with targeted cash assistance aimed at easing inflation’s impact on working families.

Here’s everything you need to know about these programs, including who qualifies, how much they can receive, and how to claim the money—if action is required.

New York stimulus: Are you one of the 8.2 million who qualify?

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has greenlit a state-level inflation rebate, offering payments of up to $500 to qualifying residents.

The program is funded by a surplus in sales tax revenue, fueled by higher consumer prices in recent years. The goal? To return part of that windfall to everyday New Yorkers struggling with elevated living costs.

Who’s eligible?

Single filers earning up to $150,000/year may receive up to $300
Married couples filing jointly with household income under $300,000/year may qualify for the full $500

The best part? No application is needed. This is a rebate, not a traditional stimulus check, so as long as your 2024 state tax return was filed correctly and on time, your payment will be processed automatically.

When will payments arrive?

The exact deposit date hasn’t been announced yet, but payments will be sent using the banking or mailing information provided on your tax return.

California stimulus: One city is offering up to $725—but only to these residents

In California, the city of Sacramento is launching a targeted relief program called Sacramento Family First (FFESP), aimed at helping low-income households most affected by economic hardship.

How much is the payment?

Eligible recipients can receive $725 per month for 12 months, making this one of the more generous local aid packages currently available.

Who qualifies?

To be eligible, applicants must:

Live in Sacramento
Have an annual household income below 200% of the federal poverty level (this threshold varies based on family size)

Unlike New York’s automatic system, you must apply through the official Sacramento Family First website. Unfortunately, registration for 2025 closed just before midnight on 27 April. The 200 eligible participants for this program will be chosen randomly.