Most Californians are close to getting a check or direct deposit of up to $1,050 from state authorities to offset high gas prices, after lawmakers on Wednesday approved a $307.9 billion budget package that includes various social benefits.
The governor, Democrat Gavin Newsom, will sign the legislation this week, approved by the Democratic majority in the state Assembly, so that the money reaches Californians in October.
While other states have temporarily suspended their rates on gasoline, California has opted instead to return the money directly to taxpayers,
which will cost the public treasury some $9.5 billion.
Pedestrians walk past a gas station in Los Angeles on June 16, 2022. Jae C. Hong / AP
The measure will benefit about 23 million residents, regardless of whether they have a vehicle registered in their name or not.
The plan will provide reimbursement to three groups based on your income:
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Those who earn up to $75,000 can receive $350, and $700 for couples who file together and earn up to $150,000 together.
If they also have a dependent, another $350, up to a maximum of $1,050.
Individuals earning up to $125,000 can receive refunds of $250 and up to $500 if they file less than $250,000 annually as a couple.
And an additional $250 for a dependent, up to a maximum of $750.
Those who earn up to 250,000 will be able to receive 200 dollars per person or 400 for those who declare together with their partner up to 500,000 dollars annually.
And they could receive with a dependent an additional $200, for a maximum of $600.
This direct aid is the flagship proposal of the budget plan, which has benefited from a surplus of 97,000 million dollars in the state coffers, despite the bad projections that were due to the pandemic.
But it is not the only measure of help.
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California
will extend health care subsidies for all low-income adults
, regardless of immigration status.
Currently, people living in the country illegally can only qualify for California's Medicaid program if they are under 26 or over 50. But the new law says that starting in 2024 anyone who meets the minimum income requirement will be covered by insurance, which will cost taxpayers about $2.6 billion each year.
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"This budget investment reflects California's values of inclusion and equity and should be a model for the rest of the nation," Sarah Dar, director of health and public benefits policy at the Center for Policy, told The Associated Press. for California Immigrants.
It will also increase the minimum wage starting July 1 in several cities in the state, such as Los Angeles ($16.04);
San Francisco (16.99);
Santa Monica (15.96);
Berkley (16.99), among others.
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And starting next month, for the first time, everyone over the age of 55 with nutritional deficiencies will be able to access the state's food stamps known as CalFresh.
On the other hand, the eviction moratorium imposed during the pandemic will end early on July 1, so thousands of residents could be in danger of eviction, although some local jurisdictions such as Los Angeles will maintain protection.
