The Family First Economic Support Pilot (FFESP) is currently in the distribution phase of its direct cash transfer program in Sacramento County, California.
This pilot stimulus initiative aims to provide unconditional financial assistance to families with young children, specifically targeting households in certain geographic areas to assess the impact of financial aid on family stability and child development.
Key Details of the FFESP Stimulus Payments
$725 Monthly Stimulus Payments
Eligible families were selected through a random lottery following a registration period that has already concluded. The payments began on August 15, 2025, marking the start of the program.
Each selected household will receive $725 per month for 12 consecutive months, with the final payment scheduled for July 2026. This structured disbursement provides a stable income stream to families during the pilot’s year-long duration.
Payment Timeline and Total Commitment
The first payment was distributed on August 15, 2025.
The full series of payments will continue through July 2026, providing a total of 12 monthly disbursements per household.
Eligibility for FFESP Stimulus Checks
Who Qualifies?
To qualify for the FFESP, applicants had to meet a variety of criteria:
Residency: Applicants had to reside in one of the following Sacramento County ZIP codes: 95815, 95821, 95823, 95825, 95828, or 95838.
Family Composition: The household must include a child between the ages of 0 and 5 who lives with the applicant at least 50% of the time. Applicants must be the parent or legal guardian of this child.
Income Threshold: Household income needed to be below 200% of the federal poverty level. The specific threshold varied depending on the number of people in the household.
No Other Guaranteed Income: Families must not be participating in any other similar government or private guaranteed income program.
The Selection Process
200 families were selected through a random drawing after the registration period closed on April 27, 2025.
Can You Still Apply for FFESP Stimulus Checks?
Applications for the FFESP are now closed. The window for new applications ended on April 27, 2025. The program is now in its implementation phase, and only the families selected in the lottery are currently receiving payments.
There are no public plans for new applications or an expansion of the program at this time. The results from this pilot phase will likely be evaluated before any decisions are made about future rounds or program expansions.
Program Goals and Impact Analysis
The FFESP pilot is primarily focused on gathering data about the effects of unconditional financial assistance on the stability of families and child development.
By distributing regular payments, the program aims to better understand how consistent financial support can impact family well-being, particularly for households with young children.
