Read: 4th stimulus check, According to a new study, Americans most in need of a stimulus check at the beginning of the pandemic continue to suffer today as they face rising inflation, slower job gains, and a crippled supply chain.
According to researchers with the Capital One Insights Center, the three rounds of stimulus checks spanning two presidents were critical for lower-income earners, but did not go far enough.
4th stimulus check
You might wonder if a fourth round of pandemic relief stimulus checks is possible now that the third round has been spent.
No, in a nutshell. In some states, however, payments are issued directly by the state.
Rather than providing financial support, lawmakers are focusing on other measures, such as child tax credit payments.
Housing and food insecurity during pandemics have been reduced with direct payments and other pandemic relief programs. If they aren’t present, the economic recovery after the early pandemic recession in spring 2020 would probably move even slower than it has for the last year and a half.
The federal government has not actively discussed issuing another round of checks to households still dealing with the financial effects of the pandemic, even though some members of Congress have previously called for additional aid.
What States Are Sending New Stimulus Checks?
New York
New York started paying up to $15,000 to undocumented immigrants who could not work due to the pandemic in April. The state has alerted applicants that the fund is almost empty and that applications are considered in the order received.
Iowa Stimulus Checks
While there is no clear stimulus check on the horizon, current and prospective college students can file for federal student aid ahead of the 2021-22 school year by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 30,000 dollars could be saved by families.
California
5.7 million Californians will receive a payment under the Golden Gate Stimulus deal that was announced in July. Households with dependents and taxpayers who earn between $30,001 and $75,000 per year are eligible to receive a one-time payment of $600. This payment started being distributed in September.
Maryland
Taxpayers in Maryland who qualify for the tax credit can receive up to $500. A check for that amount was authorized and processed on February 20, 2021.
Illinois Stimulus Checks
Illinoisans have received stimulus checks from the government as any other state, however with such payments ceasing from the federal level, it looks as though there are no plans to issue an all-encompassing stimulus check, which means that citizens in cities like Chicago will miss out.
Illinois residents, however, can still apply for the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit if they qualify.
Montana Stimulus Checks
According to the state’s portion of the March federal coronavirus relief bill, Montana will receive funding to do 86 water and sewer projects around the state.
New Mexico
A one-time payment of $750 was made to more than 4,000 low-income households that did not receive federal stimulus payments. In early August, payments were issued for this program, which no longer accepts applications.
Florida Stimulus Checks
A 1,000 dollar payment was allocated to most teachers and administrators, although things are still being developed. Florida’s governor will offer unvaccinated officers 5,000 dollars to move to his state if they are now unable to work in another state because of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
Louisiana Stimulus Checks
As a result of Hurricane Ida, Louisiana has seen a spike in unemployment, which has prompted calls for additional assistance. However, no official word has been given regarding the amounts or payment dates.
Other State Programs
Direct payments have been made to certain groups of frontline workers in other states. Teachers in Georgia and Florida received bonus checks in 2021, while grocery store workers and medical staff in Minnesota received bonus checks.
Some direct payments have been funded by state budgets: California’s, for example, came from state income tax revenue surpluses. Federal pandemic aid has been used to distribute money directly to residents of other states.