FOLLOW US

After nine months of failing negotiations, white house leaders and the senate finally reached an agreement regarding the second stimulus check.

The new $900 billion covid relief package includes direct cash payment and enhanced unemployment benefits, it’s set to deliver the needed relief for unemployed Americans, health care workers, and small businesses suffering from the COVID-19 economic impact. The package includes direct payments, up to $600 will be given to eligible adults and plus $600 per child dependent.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said: "It is packed with targeted policies that help struggling Americans who have already waited entirely too long,"

The question is who qualifies for the $600 stimulus check?

Who’s eligible for the stimulus check?

Despite the fact that income criteria for the second stimulus check are not yet released, a family of four could receive $2,400. Individuals who earn up to $75,000 or $112,500 for the head of household and married couples who earn $150,000 can all benefit from the covid relief package.

Married couples are eligible for a $1,200 as long as the income of the couple combined is less than $150,000. If you’re a parent you can receive an additional $600 per child, and if you’re a single parent and you earn less than $112,500 a year, you’re eligible for $600 per eligible child. Finally, if you’re disabled or retired and don’t have an income you’re still eligible for the stimulus check as long as your social security benefit doesn’t exceed the individual limit

What’s included in the stimulus check?

Direct payment checks of $600 per adult and child and $300 per week for enhanced unemployment insurance benefits.

• $25 billion for rental assistance
• $10 billion to help with child care assistance,
• $82 billion for the education sector, schools and colleges, and the help safe reopening of classrooms.
• $284 including the forgivable Paycheck Protection Program loans billion for small businesses, and $15 billion in dedicated funding for independent movie theaters, cultural institutions, and live venues.
• $7 billion to enhance broadband access for the goal of making remote connection easier for Americans.

Finally, billions of dollars will be dedicated to supporting the COVID-19 vaccine distribution and contract tracing efforts and health care workers, and a tax credit to support workers offering paid sick leave.

When will I get my stimulus check?

Congress hasn’t passed the bill yet, however, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that Americans who qualify for direct payments could see that money by next week.

“The good news is this is a very, very fast way of getting money into the economy. Let me emphasize: People are going to see this money at the beginning of next week,” Mnuchin told CNBC

That being said, the taxpayers who already have direct payment information on file with the IRS will be the first on the list.

“So it’s very fast, it’s money that gets recirculated in the economy,” he added. “People go out and spend this money, and that helps small business and that helps getting more people back to work.”

In addition to that, civilians who are eligible for payment but didn’t share their bank account information with the IRS will receive a prepaid debit card or a paper check. The Treasury can deliver a maximum of seven million paper checks per week.

----------------------------------------

Have a story you want USA Herald to cover? Submit a tip here and if we think it's newsworthy, we'll follow up on it.

Want to contribute a story? We also accept article submissions – check out our writer's guidelines here.