With Christmas right around the corner and gifts being needed to be bought for the whole family, families are on the lookout for ways to receive some extra cash this holiday season. Not only gifts, but with inflation continuously on the rise and some families needing to host relative over the holiday period, the cost of food may also be on many families’ minds. Sacramento, California is doing a pilot program this holiday season for an economic aid program called Family First (FFESP), where a stimulus check of $725 per month is paid to eligible families with minor children.
Cist-of-living over the Christmas season
The cost of living tends to rise over the Christmas season, adding extra pressure on households already managing tight budgets. As families prepare for holiday celebrations, they face higher prices for gifts, decorations, and festive meals. Additionally, winter heating bills can skyrocket in colder regions and states as families use more energy to stay warm.
The increased demand for goods and services during the holidays often leads to higher prices for amenities like food, transportation, and travel costs for those visiting loved ones. For many, this seasonal increase in expenses can make it harder to make ends meet leaving some feeling stressed or forced to cut back on holiday plans. As a result, the festive season, which is meant to be a time of joy and togetherness, can instead become a financial strain for those already struggling with the ongoing rise in the cost of living.
The FFESP qualifying criteria
Certain residents of California, may be receiving a a FFESP payment before the holiday season begins provided your application met the eligibility requirments. This could help to pay for the additional expenses which come with the annual festive season. This pilot financial aid program is funded by the California Department of Social Services. California is notorious for having some of the highest cost-of-living expenses in the nation.
The following criteria must have been met to receive the $725 payment:
- Residents of 95815, 95821, 95823, 95825, 95828 and 95838 zip codes in Sacramento , California
- A household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
- Support at least one child under the age of 5
- You cannot be participating in other guaranteed income programs
While the application period has now closed for the program if you did not apply already, should the program be successful, there may be more opportunities for the program in the future.
California remains an expensive state
California’s cost of living is notoriously high. This is driven by a combination of factors such as expensive housing, high taxes, and the general price of goods and services. Housing costs (particularly in cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego) are among the highest in the nation with median home prices and rental rates far exceeding the national average. The state’s robust economy combined with limited housing supply and strict zoning laws has made homeownership a distant dream for many.
Additionally, California’s taxes such as their income taxes and sales and gas taxes contribute to the overall cost of living. This makes it more expensive to live and do business. While wages tend to be higher in California to reflect this, they are often not enough to fully offset the rising costs leading to challenges for many residents, particularly low and middle-income families. However, despite its high costs, California remains a desirable place to live due to its strong job market, cultural diversity, and favorable climate. While there is opportunity in the state, the financial strain on residents continues to become an increasing problem even for those who possess affluence and wealth.
