Five years after the first COVID-era stimulus checks hit American bank accounts, financial relief is still on the table—at least for residents of three states. While the federal government isn’t issuing new payments, state leaders in New York, California and Colorado have introduced new stimulus programs to offset the sting of inflation. Here's who's eligible for these new stimulus checks in these three states.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced New York’s Inflation Refund. With state coffers unexpectedly flush due to increased sales tax revenue, New York is sending money back to middle-class residents. Single filers earning up to $150,000 may receive $300, while joint filers earning up to $300,000 could receive $500. Over 8 million New Yorkers are expected to get a check, with payments already in progress as of late April and continuing through May.
In California, a new round of payments up to $725 per household is targeting those who didn’t qualify for previous Golden State Stimulus aid. To qualify, you must meet income limits, be a legal California resident, have filed a recent state tax return and not have received Golden State Stimulus checks before. It’s a move designed to fill the gaps left by earlier programs.
Colorado might just be the most generous of all. Thanks to a $1.5 billion surplus under the state’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR), single filers could see up to $800 and joint filers a whopping $1,600. But there are eligibility requirements: you must have filed a 2023 state tax return by April 15, 2024, lived in Colorado for at least half the year, be at least 18 and have no major legal or tax issues.
Distribution methods are as they were in the past: direct deposit recipients get paid fastest, followed by Social Security beneficiaries, then paper check recipients, and EIP debit card holders. Those with tax complications may face delays. If you live in one of these three states, check with your state's department of revenue for eligibility.