Imagine receiving $725 each month—no work requirements, no complicated forms, just free money directly into your bank account. That dream is becoming a reality for a small group of families in California starting this July. But here’s the catch: only 200 families were selected, and you had to be in the right place at the right time.
This is part of California’s Family First Economic Support Pilot Program (FFESP), a groundbreaking guaranteed income experiment aimed at helping low-income parents with young children stay financially stable. Launched in Sacramento County, this program is making headlines by providing $725 per month for 13 straight months—starting in June 2025 and running through July 2026.
When Will the Payments Arrive?
The second round of monthly payments is scheduled to hit eligible families’ bank accounts on July 15, 2025. The funds are deposited electronically, so participants don’t need to lift a finger to receive them.
Payments will continue every 15th of the month, offering a consistent source of income to help families cover rent, groceries, utilities, childcare, and other everyday needs.
Who Is Eligible?
This isn’t a program you can just apply for anymore—the application window has already closed. Instead, 200 families were randomly selected earlier this year based on strict eligibility criteria:
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You must live in Sacramento County within one of these ZIP codes: 95815, 95821, 95823, 95825, 95828, or 95838
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You must be a parent or legal guardian of a child aged 0 to 5 who lives with you at least half the time
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Your household income must fall below 200% of the federal poverty line (that’s about $62,400 for a family of four)
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You had to complete the application and be selected at random by the program’s organizers
So if you’re not already in, you’ll have to wait for future rounds or similar pilot programs.
Why Is California Doing This?
Unlike traditional welfare or food assistance, this program gives unrestricted cash. That means families can use the money however they see fit—no receipts, no tracking. This approach is based on a growing body of research suggesting that guaranteed income programs help reduce poverty, improve health, and keep families together.
One of the program’s long-term goals is to prevent children from entering the foster care system due to financial instability. By providing consistent support, California hopes to reduce the strain on both families and social services.
This is part of a broader trend across the U.S., where states are testing small-scale universal basic income (UBI) programs to see if they could be rolled out more widely.
How Do You Know If You Were Selected?
If you applied to the FFESP earlier this year, you should have already received a notice if you were chosen. Here’s how you can double-check:
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Log into the official FFESP portal used during registration
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Check your email and text messages for updates from Sacramento County
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Make sure your banking information is up to date if you were approved
There’s no current way to reapply, and no additional selection rounds have been announced as of July 2025.
Final Takeaways
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This $725/month stimulus is not a federal program—it’s California-specific and limited in scope
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Payments are already being sent out, with the July 2025 check arriving on July 15
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Only 200 families are receiving the benefit this year
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Participants were randomly selected from eligible low-income households with children under age 6
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The program runs through July 2026, offering 13 months of consistent financial relief
If you’re among the selected few, check your bank account on July 15. If not, stay tuned—this pilot could inspire future guaranteed income efforts across the country.
