Undocumented workers can apply for coronavirus relief in California starting Monday

Undocumented immigrants who live in California can apply for aid from the state if they were affected by COVID-19, media outlets report.

Californians who aren’t eligible for federal aid can apply for the state’s program starting on Monday, NBC News reported.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced California’s $75 million Disaster Relief Fund last month to help undocumented migrants who don’t qualify for the CARES Act or unemployment benefits, according to a release.

“California is the most diverse state in the nation. Our diversity makes us stronger and more resilient. Every Californian, including our undocumented neighbors and friends, should know that California is here to support them during this crisis. We are all in this together,” Newsom said in the statement.

Under the new program, around 150,000 undocumented adults will get a one-time cash payment of $500 per adult, with a maximum of $1,000 per household, according to the release.

The CARES Act didn’t give stimulus checks to those without Social Security Numbers, meaning undocumented immigrants didn’t qualify, Forbes reported.

The HEROES Act, unveiled by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, would allow anyone who pays taxes using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number to qualify for stimulus checks, according to Forbes. It would also retroactively change the CARES Act and give those who filed with ITIN to get an additional $1,200 payment.

However, “the $3 trillion legislation is unlikely to gain any traction in the Republican-controlled Senate,” CBS reported.

This story was originally published May 15, 2020 at 6:28 PM with the headline "Undocumented workers can apply for coronavirus relief in California starting Monday."