Blind, disabled, or elderly illegal immigrants may get another chance at receiving cash assistance from California after a new bill was introduced last month, similar to one last year vetoed by the governor.

Assembly Bill 2415, introduced by Assemblyman Juan Carrillo, would make changes to existing California law, which directs the state’s Department of Social Services to provide legal immigrants who are non-citizens—such as refugees, asylum seekers, and permanent residents—with cash assistance, according to the bill’s text.

His attempt last year sought to add illegal immigrants to the same program for seniors and the disabled.

It is unclear what is different about this year’s bill that could help it get signed into law. Mr. Carrillo didn’t immediately return a request for comment.

“Across our state, the aging, undocumented population is increasing, especially our immigrant seniors, many of whom have no retirement despite years of working in this country,” Mr. Carrillo said in a March 2023 press release announcing last year’s bill.

The state’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants provides monthly cash benefits to 65 or older, blind, or disabled legal immigrants who are not citizens and can’t receive Federal Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Programs due to their immigrant status, according to Mr. Carrillo.

A 2019 U.S. Census survey estimated there were approximately 17,000 illegal immigrants 65 or older in California, according to Mr. Carrillo’s press release last year.

In his veto statement, Gov. Gavin Newsom said he wouldn’t sign the proposed bill without a source of funding.

“While I appreciate the author’s goal to expand [the Cash Assistant Program for Immigrants] eligibility regardless of immigration status, enacting this policy without providing funding would not be prudent nor would it meet its intended purpose,” he said.

The bill, if it had been approved last year, would have cost the state about $100 million annually, according to the governor.

It’s unclear if a source of funding has been identified for Mr. Carrillo’s new bill. It has until March 15 to be heard in an Assembly committee.