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Stimulus Checks: Here’s How Many American Homes Can Expect $1,100 Payment Before Christmas

Nearly a million Americans will get a little extra Christmas cheer this year. They’re in line for a $1,100 government stimulus check, but they’ll need to meet strict criteria to get the cash.

California started sending out its last batch of stimulus checks as part of its Golden State Stimulus II plan on Nov. 29, The Sun reported. That means the paper checks will arrive for some residents just before the holidays. Residents need to earn less than $75,000 and have a child to quality. Those without kids will get $600. In all, about 803,000 residents should expect something in the mail in what is the state’s final round of stimulus payments.

California is sending the money according to zip codes. People who live in those that end with 585-719 will get their payments between now and next week.

California sent a payment to more than two-thirds of the residents as part of the Golden State Stimulus II program. Though officials deposited most checks directly into their bank accounts. State officials hoped the program would boost the state’s economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The state spent about $12 billion on the stimulus program, according to reports. California has a $31 billion surplus heading into next year. Gov. Gavin Newsom said he’s considering sending out another round of checks if it’s in the best interest of residents.

They’re not the only state that can expect some government cash. More than 500,000 residents of Maine will get a $285 stimulus payment. Residents in St. Louis can also apply for a $500 check through December 18, The Sun noted.

Lawmakers in Illinois have proposed a $200 stimulus payment for those making less than $75,000. Couples making $150,000 or below can score checks of $400.

Illinois state Rep. Tom Demmer, a Republican, said the payments could “make a difference between being able to buy new shoes or winter coats for your kids.”

Some Californians Got an Extra $300 Thanks to Stimulus Program

Officials in Santa Ana, California, hand-delivered $300 Visa debit cards earlier this month as part of the city’s stimulus program. Those payments went to the city’s poorest residents. The city spent $6 million on the cards.

“Those low-income families are the ones who were most hard hit,” Santa Ana Mayor Vincente Sarmiento told the Orange County Register. “This is pretty incredible, and we are blessed, because not many communities that have the need that we have, are able to do this for the residents. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this in my 14 years on the council, that we can directly impact households and people’s lives this way.”

Santa Ana put no restrictions on how the recipients spent the money. But Sarmiento hopes they’ll use the money at local businesses.

“It will be like a double injection of stimulus to households, but also those businesses that are going to see those cards being redeemed,” he said.