Certain qualified individuals from California will be seeing nearly $800 hitting their pockets soon. A variety of Social Support programs are offered not just through the federal government, such as the Supplementary Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), but states themselves have their own programs on offer to help low- and middle-income families support their dependents. Check the qualifying criteria for a new program starting this year in California to see if you are eligible for payments.
The importance of Social Support programs
Social Security support is a cornerstone program through which low-income individuals can receive assistance to prevent destitution and childhood poverty. Social Security and SNAP are two examples of Social Support programs offered by the federal government, each serving different purposes. SNAP supports approximately 40 million individuals by providing an income to eligible beneficiaries to pay for groceries and food.
Social Security, on the other hand, supports approximately 70 million beneficiaries, the majority of whom are retirees. However, the Administration also supports those who have a disability through their Disability benefits program, as well as those with little to no income or resources through the Supplementary Security Income (SSI) program
Both these programs are widespread initiatives that have seen incredible success in providing a guaranteed income to support vulnerable populations. They provide a safety net to ensure that all citizens can have their basic needs met, preserving dignity and providing immediate support in times of struggle. On top of federal initiatives, states offer their programs in response to each local community’s unique needs and struggles.
These individuals qualify to have $800 hit their pockets soon
This year, California began its Sacramento Family First Economic Support Program (FFESP) pilot program. This program is the first time that the state has been investigating how a guaranteed basic income program could feasibly work in the state. To qualify for the pilot program, participants had to meet to following criteria:
- Applicants needed to reside within one of the following zip codes: 95815, 95821, 95823, 95825, 95828, and 95838.
- Applicants must be the legal guardian of a child 0-5 years of age
- Applicants must have an annual household income of less than 200% of the federal poverty line (FPL)
- Applicants could not already be receiving a guaranteed income from another pilot or program
The program kicked off last month, seeing successful applicants of the program receive $725 per month for the next twelve months. 200 families were randomly selected for the program, with the deadline closing in April of this year.
More stimulus payments to hit these individuals’ accounts
If you were not a successful applicant for the FFESP program, there are still a variety of new programs and initiatives beginning this year that you may be able to qualify for, particularly if you have children. The federal government released the One Big, Beautiful Bill, which was signed into law on July 4 this year. As part of this, the Child Tax Credit was raised from $2,00 to $2,200. However, a more exciting initiative includes the start of ‘Trump Accounts’ for families who have welcomed a new baby between 2025-2028.
“It’s a pro-family initiative that will help millions of Americans harness the strength of our economy to lift up the next generation, and they’ll really be getting a big jump on life,” President Donald Trump said at a White House event in June.
The initiative will see the federal government distribute $1,000 to these families who have recently welcomed a new baby, where relatives and employers, and nonprofits can also make contributions, provided that they do not exceed $5,000 each year. In addition, the child may be a US citizen and have a Social Security number. The initiative is intended to help kickstart families to save for their children’s future, whether it be for college tuition, a car, or even a down payment for a house.
Disclaimer: Our coverage of stimulus checks, tax reliefs, tax rebates, tax credits, and other payments is based on the official sources listed in the article. All payment amounts and dates, as well as eligibility requirements, are subject to change by the governing institutions. Always consult the official source we provide to stay up to date and obtain information for your decision-making.
