California’s inflation relief checks go out in October

The first batch of one-time payments to help millions of Californians offset rising inflation are scheduled to go out the first week of October, according to state officials.

The budget deal reached by Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature in June will provide payments ranging from $200 to $1,050 — depending on income, tax filing status and number of dependents — to eligible individuals making up to $250,000 and couples making up to $500,000 in 2020 adjusted gross income.

The payments will come out of California’s $97.5 billion surplus — the largest in state history, bringing this year’s budget to a record $300 billion.

Generally, to receive a payment you must have filed a 2020 California tax return by the required deadline, and meet income and residency requirements.

The state estimates that 17.5 million tax filers will receive payments, totaling $9.5 billion.

The Franchise Tax Board will send the payments to eligible Californians via either direct deposit or a mailed debit card, depending on how they filed their taxes in 2020.

From Oct. 7-25, the first round of one-time payments will be issued to bank accounts of eligible Californians who received the first or second Golden State Stimulus check last year via direct deposit, the Franchise Tax Board said.

The remaining direct deposits will be issued between Oct. 28 and Nov. 14, to those who did not receive Golden State Stimulus checks but whose electronic banking information is on file with the FTB, typically for tax refunds.

About 90% of the direct deposit payments are expected to be issued in October, Andrew LePage, spokesman for the Franchise Tax Board, said in a statement.

From Oct. 25-Dec. 10, the state will mail debit cards to eligible people who got Golden State Stimulus payments via that method.

The rest of the debit cards, for those who qualify for payments but do not fall into any of the categories above, will be sent out by Jan. 15, 2023.

A more detailed payment schedule will be released in early October for those receiving debit cards, LePage said.

“We expect about 95% of all payments — direct deposit and debit cards combined — to be issued by the end of this year,” he said.

LePage urged Californians to continue visiting the Middle Class Tax Refund web page, which has more details and a calculator for estimating payment amounts.

FTB customer service representatives are also available by phone at 800-542-9332 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to answer questions.