Financial relief for low-income Californians

California lawmakers approve coronavirus aid package worth $7.6 billion.

Natalie Willis, Editor-in-Chief • March 1, 2021

Financial relief for low-income Californians

Photo courtesy of Photo by Alexander Mils on Unsplash

On Feb 23, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a legislative package to provide financial relief to low-income California residents. The package builds on Gov. Newsom’s January state budget proposal.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Of the $7.6 billion legislative package, $3.7 billion will be used to provide $600 payments to 5.7 million low-income Californians. In general, it will be allotted to those that earn less than $30,000 a year that claimed the California earned-income tax credit.

Similarly, taxpayers who earn less than $75,000 a year and use Individual Tax Identification Numbers, a tax processing number for certain resident and non-resident workers, will also be eligible for $600. Those who meet the eligibility requirements will receive their payment four to five weeks after filing their taxes.

FEDERAL RELIEF

Along with Newsom’s $600 individual payment relief, President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, the “American Rescue Plan” is being reviewed by the Senate after the House of Representatives passed it on Feb. 27.

The American Rescue Plan will include $1,400 for most Americans and billions of dollars to schools, businesses and state and local governments. Along with individual relief, the $1.9 trillion proposal will provide $170,000 billion to schools and universities and provide $25 billion for rental assistance. Biden explained that the American Rescue Plan will help stabilize the economy and “relieve the suffering” that the pandemic has caused.

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About the Contributor

Natalie Willis, Editor-in-Chief

Natalie Willis is a junior journalism major who loves golden retrievers, Wes Anderson movies and rainy days. Hi! I am from Bakersfield, CA, land of cows and oil rigs. Growing up on a farm with a veterinarian father, I assumed I would follow in his footsteps to pursue a career in agriculture. God had other plans. Reluctantly, I listened but had every intention to switch my major from journalism to pretty much anything else. Half way through my freshman year, I was working on a portfolio project which involved pitching ideas, interviewing sources and telling a story—suddenly, everything clicked into place. I loved what I was doing, who I was meeting and where I thought I could go. God has a way of telling us we are on the right path and I have felt that throughout my college career. Three years ago, if someone told me I would be the editor-in-chief of a student news publication I would have politely advised them to seek counseling. Now, I cannot imagine a life without tight story deadlines and strict adherence to AP style. I am so excited to lead The Chimes this year as we enter into a new era of print media.