Rumors of federal stimulus checks arriving before the end of the year, while highly unlikely, continue to swirl, but can Californians expect to see that money?
Stimulus checks are direct cash payments that the federal government issues only when Congress approves financial relief for Americans, typically during periods of economic instability.
Despite renewed online chatter, no federal agency or congressional leader has announced or confirmed any plan to distribute new stimulus payments this year. In fact, the most recent comments from White House officials suggest any potential relief proposed by President Donald Trump would not arrive until 2026 at the earliest.
Need a replacement Social Security card? You may be able to start – or even complete – your request online! Learn more: https://t.co/CW4x7KWKqz. pic.twitter.com/wsWzy53Dyi
— Social Security (@SocialSecurity) December 18, 2025
Still, speculation has grown as misleading posts reference old proposals, misquote public officials, or falsely claim checks are already being processed. Without approval from Congress or the Internal Revenue Service, no payment can be issued — meaning Americans should treat viral claims about immediate stimulus checks with caution, as they could be misinformation or attempted fraud.
Here’s the latest verified information on stimulus checks in 2025 and updates on previous talk of checks.
Are stimulus checks being sent out?
It seems highly unlikely that a stimulus check, tariff refund or IRS direct deposit will happen in 2025.
The last round of federal stimulus checks was issued during the COVID-19 pandemic, when millions received up to $1,400 through the American Rescue Plan Act. Since then, no national stimulus checks have been approved, and the deadline to claim the COVID stimulus checks has already passed.
Though some lawmakers created proposals, there has been no action on them. In order for a stimulus payment to become a reality, Congress would have to approve the proposal, which has yet to happen. With those lawmakers focused on passing government funding legislation, there is no news, updates or movement on those proposals.
Is a $2k direct deposit happening in December 2025?
Potential $2,000 stimulus checks have not been confirmed and are unlikely to arrive in December 2025. People should take any news or notifications that claim otherwise with caution, as they are fraudulent.
However, Trump indicated the $2,000 checks would arrive mid-2026, although no concrete payment plan exists and Congress has not approved the checks.
How do I know if I’m getting a stimulus check?
Because no new stimulus program has been approved, no one is eligible for a stimulus check unless something is officially passed by Congress.
If you were notified otherwise, check if the notification came via an official IRS letter. If not, it likely is not legitimate. The IRS has warned that texts or emails claiming payments are often scams.
This isn’t the 1st stimulus check Trump suggested in 2025
This is not the first suggestion of using funds generated by tariffs to send a stimulus payment to Americans. There was previous discussion of doing this in August 2025.
After Trump originally suggested this idea during the summer, Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley proposed the American Worker Rebate Act of 2025, which would have provided a minimum of $600 per adult and dependent child, or $2,400 for a family of four, according to news officials in August. The bill was referred to a Senate committee, but there were no updates on it as of November.
According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a nonpartisan nonprofit that studies fiscal policy, Trump’s proposal would cost about double the money that the U.S. is expected to make in new import duties.
Earlier in 2025, there was also talk of a DOGE dividend, which would be funded by money the department cut from other groups.
Though politicians and Trump himself talked about the idea, the stimulus checks were never formally approved by Congress. There has been no news about this proposal for months.
Will Californians get a stimulus check?
Like the last federal stimulus checks in 2020, the checks will go to all qualifying Americans regardless of which state they live in.
California is referred to as a “donor state” meaning Californians pay more in taxes to the federal government than they receive back, according to the California Budget & Policy Center.
While Californians may pay more, there has been no indication that will have any difference to how much they may or may not receive when the checks are distributed.
