Newsom, California Lawmakers Approve $600 Stimulus Checks for Low-Income and Undocumented Residents
California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks at a press conference following the opening of a new large scale COVID-19 vaccination site at Cal State Los Angeles on February 16, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. The vaccine center is focused on those from vulnerable communities and will have the capacity to inoculate 6,000 people per day. It is staffed by federal and state government workers including members of the National Guard and officials from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Mario Tama/Getty Images

California Governor Gavin Newsom and California lawmakers have approved a $7.6 billion stimulus package for state residents and undocumented people as Americans still wait for the $1,400 check from the federal government.

The relief package is offering much-needed aid for businesses, individuals, and students. It will also be coming to Californians in different ways, according to a We are Mitu report.

The relief package will be increasing small business aid, waive license renewal fees for businesses affected by the pandemic. It will also be allocating additional resources for critical child care services and funds emergency financial aid for community college students.

Newsom said in a statement that he is grateful for the legislature's partnership to provide urgent relief and support for California families and small businesses.

"From child care, relief for small business owners, direct cash support to individuals, financial aid for community college students and more, these actions are critical for millions of Californians who embody the resilience of the California spirit," Newsom said in the statement.

Low-income California residents will be eligible for a one-time $600 stimulus check from the state government, while undocumented residents will be given a $600 boost.

Undocumented Residents in California

Undocumented Californians do not qualify for the federal stimulus payments and unemployment benefits despite many of them working in industries ravaged both by pandemic closures and the COVID-19 itself. They are also mostly unqualified for other safety-net benefits, such as food stamps.

The Golden State relief program has planned to provide $500 to undocumented residents last spring. However, there was only enough money for about 150,000 people, according to an ABC report.

California Budget & Policy Center said the $600 payments could reach the families of around 250,000 undocumented workers, and they could qualify if they file taxes with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

Lawmakers and advocates argued in legislative hearings that the state of California should do more for those families. California Budget & Policy Center noted that undocumented residents in California pay $3 billion a year in local and paying taxes.

Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins said the stimulus package proposal provides the immediate emergency relief that families and small businesses need right now.

Atkins added that people are hungry and hurting and many businesses in the community are at risk of closing their doors. He noted that the state of California is at a critical moment.

Assemblyman Phil Ting said on Monday during the floor debate before the legislature that this is such an important bill because it gives millions of hardworking residents of the state the money they need during this time, according to a Los Angeles Times report.

State Sen. Jim Nielsen said the budget would be creating long-term obligations to the undocumented residents in California. But Sen. Nancy Skinner noted that the stimulus check to immigrants is a one-time payment and not a continuing budget obligation.

On the other hand, Sen. Maria Elena Durazo said the proposal for immigrants and low-income residents is much needed and significant. However, Durazo added that it would not go far enough.

"I think there is room to include more who are still not covered either by our state or by the federal [programs]," Durazo said in the report.

Reports said the CalWorks payments would be placed on EBT cards and issued to participants by mid-April once Newsom signed the bill, which he hoped to do on Tuesday. However, the sending of payments could still change based on the ability to automate the process.