California Residents: Check Your Stimulus Payment Status

CALIFORNIA — Millions of Californians this week are eagerly anticipating a payment expected as part of a $2 trillion federal economic relief package intended to mitigate the financial and economic fallout caused by the new coronavirus pandemic.

To help Americans track when the payments are likely to show up in their bank accounts or mailboxes, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Monday said the Internal Revenue Service was creating an online portal, which officially launched Wednesday.

Through the "Get My Payment" tool, Americans can not only check on their payment status, but can also confirm payment type (direct deposit or check) and enter bank account information for direct deposit if the Internal Revenue Service doesn't have the information on file.

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Mnuchin said the goal is to direct deposit as many payments as possible and avoid mailing checks.

Some Americans reported seeing direct deposits in their bank accounts this past Saturday, and others started seeing deposits Monday.

When Americans will receive their money will vary. The first group includes people who have already given their bank account information to the IRS for the direct deposit of tax refunds on 2018 or 2019 tax returns, USA Today reported. Additionally, Social Security beneficiaries who filed federal tax returns that included direct deposit information would be part of that first group.

The second wave of money could hit bank accounts the week of April 20 for a group of people who receive Social Security benefits via direct deposit but may not make enough money to be required to file a federal income tax return in 2018 or 2019.

For those receiving paper checks, the first round is expected to go out in late April or possibly the first week in May. The first checks are supposed to go out to families who have the lowest incomes —possibly those who make less than $10,000 a year, according to USA Today.

Record Unemployment In California

In the weeks since shutdowns began across the state, California has seen claims for unemployment benefits skyrocket. Between March 15 and April 4, nearly 2 million people filed for unemployment, according to the state economic development department.

The week ending April 4 was a 2,418 percent increase in claims from the same time period last year, the EDD said.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced last week that Californians who get unemployment insurance will get an extra $600 on top of their weekly amount.

"Many Californians are feeling the effects of this pandemic, and this added benefit is very important to our workers so they have needed resources during this difficult time," he said.

To learn more about applying for unemployment insurance in California and for more information about these $600 additional payments, visit the EDD website.

Full coronavirus coverage: California Coronavirus: Latest Updates On Cases, Orders, Closures