$725 Monthly Payments Hit Bank Accounts — Here’s Who’s Getting Them

You might’ve seen headlines about a $725 stimulus payment going out in California and wondered, “Wait, is this a new statewide check?” Not exactly. This isn’t a federal program or something everyone in California is getting. It’s a local pilot project in Sacramento County called the Family First Economic Support Pilot (FFESP).

The goal is pretty straightforward: to give monthly financial help to families with young kids who are struggling to make ends meet. If that’s you — or someone you know — here’s everything you need to understand about how it works.

Who’s Actually Getting This Money?

This program is super targeted, so only specific families in certain areas qualify. Here’s what you’d need to meet to be eligible:

• You live in Sacramento County, specifically in one of these zip codes: 95815, 95821, 95823, 95825, 95828, or 95838.

• Your income is low — that means your total household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, that’s around $60,000 or less per year.

• You’ve got young kids at home — at least one child under age five must live with you.

• You’re not already getting money from another guaranteed income program.

• Priority is given to families who identify as Black, African American, American Indian, or Native American. That’s because the program aims to support communities who’ve historically had less access to resources and support.

When Are the Payments Coming?

The first payments were sent out starting May 15, 2025, and they’ll continue every month for an entire year. So if you were selected, you’ll get $725 a month through May 2026.

How you get the money depends on what you provided during the application:

• If you gave your bank info, you’ll get the money through direct deposit.

• If not, they’ll send you a paper check in the mail.

Can You Still Apply?

Unfortunately, the application period already ended back on October 13, 2024. After that, the county used a lottery system to select the families who would get the payments.

If you missed it this time, don’t worry — there’s a growing trend across California (and the country, honestly) to test out guaranteed income programs like this one. So it’s possible there could be future opportunities like this in other counties or even again in Sacramento.

Who’s Running the Program?

The program is run by Sacramento County’s Department of Child, Family, and Adult Services. It officially started in December 2024 and will wrap up around November 2025, though the actual payments for most families kicked off in May.

This $725 a month might not seem like a life-changing amount to some people, but for families raising small kids on tight budgets, it can make a big difference — covering rent, groceries, diapers, or just helping things feel a little more stable.

If you didn’t qualify this time, or didn’t apply, it’s still worth paying attention. These kinds of pilot programs are popping up more and more, and your area could be next.