Millions of citizens in the US depend on stimulus payments or financial assistance to maintain their financial stability and meet the basic necessities of life. Many US states provide various types of financial help to their residents. This help is often given through schemes like tax relief, financial assistance for families, grants for children and bonuses for living in the state.
Many states are going to provide checks and other financial benefits to their citizens in September 2025 as well. Especially states like New York, California and Alaska are issuing checks under various programs.
New York’s STAR program: Property tax relief
School Tax Relief (STAR) is a program in New York that offers relief in property tax to eligible New York homeowners. The state provides this relief in the form of credit or in some instances, the city in the form of tax rebate.
- Eligible homeowners: Normal homeowners can receive benefits ranging from $350 to $600. Senior citizens can get amounts ranging from $700 to $1,500.
- Benefit purpose: The program is returning about $2.2 billion to about 3 million New York residents.
- How to receive it: Most homeowners are required to apply for this credit or tax rebate.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul also praised the program on Twitter (X), saying that the program is putting money directly in people’s pockets.
California’s Guaranteed Income Pilot Program
California’s Guaranteed Income (GI) Pilot Program provides assistance to residents who live in specific zip codes and meet certain conditions. The program provides regular and mandatory cash payments to eligible participants to help meet their basic needs.
Pay and Duration: GI program in Breathe LA County is paid an amount of $1,000 to 1,000 eligible residents per month, and the payment is done over a period of three years.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicant should be a resident of the zip code (95815, 95821, 95823, 95825, 95828, 95838).
- Applicant should be parent or legal guardian of a child of 0-5.
- The household income should not be greater than 200 percent of the federal floor.
This program is particularly useful in families, which are economically weak and require further assistance in child care.
Alaska’s Permanent Fund Dividend
A special stimulus payment to the residents of the US state of Alaska in form of Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) is given. This is paid on some of the state profits of the oil industry.
- Amount and date: Eligible residents will receive a check for $1,702 on September 11, 2025.
- Program purpose: The Alaska Permanent Fund, established in 1976, aims to save some of the profits from oil and invest them for the future and provide direct benefits to residents.
- Management: The fund is managed by the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation (APFC), which invests in assets such as stocks, bonds and real estate.
Eligibility Conditions:
- Be a resident of Alaska for the entire year of 2024 and intend to live there in the future.
- Not registering residence in another state or country after December 31, 2023.
- Not being convicted of any felony and not being in prison for several minor crimes.
- Not staying out of the state for more than 180 days, except for valid reasons such as study, health or military service.
This payment not only helps residents financially but also strengthens the local economy.
Importance of financial assistance in America
The financial situation of millions of citizens in the United States is balanced with the help of schemes like tax relief, child support, families and bonuses grants to live in the state. Poor and middle-class families in particular are particularly in need of stimulus payment and other assistance programs since they can afford not only to address the basic needs but also cope with economic insecurity.
The programs in New York, California and Alaska are an excellent example of this and will come to attention in September 2025. Citizens should be well aware of these plans, and apply in good time where they would be qualified.
FAQs
Q1. What is the STAR program in New York?
The STAR (School Tax Relief) program provides property tax relief to eligible New York homeowners, with checks ranging from $350 to $1,500.
Q2. Who qualifies for California’s Guaranteed Income Pilot Program?
Eligible residents must live in specific zip codes, be a parent or guardian of a child aged 0–5, and have a household income below 200% of the federal poverty level.
Q3. How much is the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend?
Eligible Alaskan residents will receive $1,702 on September 11, funded by state oil industry profits.
Q4. How do residents apply for these state aid programs?
Applications vary by program: STAR requires homeowners to apply for credit or tax exemption, California’s GI program requires enrollment in eligible zip codes, and Alaska automatically distributes PFD to qualified residents.
Q5. Why are these financial assistance programs important?
They help citizens meet basic needs, relieve financial stress, and support local economies through direct cash payments and tax relief.
