The state is helping thousands of people who didn't qualify for a stimulus check because they are either an immigrant or married to one with up to $1,400 to pay for basic necessities.

Gosha, of Naugatuck, is an American citizen along with her children. She didn't receive a stimulus check because her husband is Polish.

Congress excluded non-citizens and their families from the CARES Act.

"I felt robbed, being a citizen, as well as my kids," Gosha says.

Gov. Ned Lamont stepped in to help Wednesday. Families like Gosha's can get debit cards loaded with up to $400, and for rent, landlords will get a one-time payment of $1,000.

"It's hard to get back to work if you don't have a roof over your head," Lamont says. "And that was an absolute requirement."

The money should help about 2,500 families.

"They have been cleaning our hospitals. They have been working in our factories and they have been cooking our food," says Kica Matos, with the Center on Immigration and Justice. "Still, they've been denied any sort of funding from the federal government."

The state will pay for housing help. The $2.5 million is already in the budget, and a new coronavirus charity called 4-CT will spend $1 million on the debit cards.

"$1 million is like giving a few coins to every immigrant in our state," said Carmen Lanche, the coordinator of ULA in Norwalk, who had no income for nearly three months when her husband was laid off because of the pandemic. "We don't want charity, we want what is rightfully ours, based on our contributions to the wealth of this state," said Lanche. "We are essential, because we are the ones who clean your offices and hospitals, who care for your elderly and your children, who prepare your food."

Gosha says the money is desperately needed, as her husband is currently unable to work.

Immigrant groups say this money is a good start, but they're pushing for another round of payments.

Lamont says to wait and see what Congress does first.

The money won't go out for a few more weeks. The rent assistance will come directly from the Connecticut Department of Housing.

The debit cards will be distributed through local immigrant groups.