United Way Bay Area (UWBA) volunteers are helping low-income residents prepare their taxes and check eligibility for the Golden State Stimulus, a one-time $600 payment to families and people who may qualify. The Golden State Stimulus was passed into law this year in order to support low-income Californians, especially those facing hardship due to COVID-19, and undocumented households that are ineligible for federal stimulus payments.

Paulino Rochez is a resident of San Francisco who applied and received the Golden State stimulus.

“I qualified and received $600,” said Rochez. “It was amazing.”

Rochez was not aware of the Golden State Stimulus until he saw an ad in the newspaper. Days later, Rochez went to a tax preparer who told him that he qualified for the stimulus help.

The lock-downs have affected Rochez, his wife and three kids. Rochez stopped working for several months but the family received support from family and friends.

“We help each other and we try to come back to our ‘normal’ lives,” he says. “Latinos should not be afraid and should go to do their taxes, they may qualify for the stimulus, like me.”

To receive a stimulus payment, qualified recipients must file their 2020 California state taxes, even if they don’t owe money or normally file taxes. California residents who receive the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) or file with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) may be eligible for a one-time $600 or $1,200 payment. Stimulus payments are made via direct deposit or check -- they are sent to the bank account number or mailing address provided on the tax return.

Trained, IRS-certified UWBA volunteers are now available throughout the Bay Area to help people determine if they qualify for stimulus payments and prepare their tax returns for free. In addition to the Golden State Stimulus, some workers may be eligible for additional state and federal tax credits, like the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), depending on income and family size. Due to COVID-19 precautions, UWBA tax preparation services are being provided online and are safe, secure and high-quality. Qualifying residents have until October 15, 2021 to file taxes and receive their stimulus payment.

“We are trying to get the word out that this money is available through the Golden State Stimulus to the residents who need it most,” said Kevin Zwick, CEO of UWBA. “United Way Bay Area is dedicated to helping them file their tax returns accurately and for free so that they can receive their payments as soon as possible.”

For free tax preparation help and to check eligibility for the Golden State Stimulus payment, people can contact UWBA by calling 211 or visiting uwba.org/tax-help.

Californians may qualify for a Golden State Stimulus payment if they are:

• a low-income worker (making taxable earned income up to $30,000) and receive the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC)
• an undocumented worker filing with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) making less than $75,000 in 2020
• a CalWorks recipient (low-income family with children)
• aged 65 or older, blind, or disabled recipient of Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment or the state’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants
• a California resident on the date payment is issued
• not eligible to be claimed as a dependent