Who Is Eligible For The Second Stimulus Check
Eligibility is primarily based on four requirements:
1. Income: The income requirements to receive the full payment are the same as the first stimulus check.There is no minimum income needed to qualify for the payment. Households with adjusted gross income up to $75,000 for individuals will receive the full payment. This stimulus payment starts to phaseout for people with higher earnings. The second stimulus check maximum income limit is lower than the first stimulus check. Single filers who earned more than $87,000 in 2019 are ineligible for the second stimulus check.
View the chart below to compare income requirements for the first and second stimulus checks.
Income to Receive Full Stimulus Payment | First Stimulus Check Maximum Income Limit | Second Stimulus Check Maximum Income Limit |
Single Filer | ||
$136,500 | $124,500 |
2. Social Security Number: This requirement differs from the original eligibility for the first stimulus check. Originally under the first stimulus check, if you were married filing jointly, both spouses needed valid Social Security numbers . If one spouse had an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number , then both spouses were ineligible for the stimulus check. For married military couples, the spouse with an SSN could still get the stimulus check for themselves but not the other spouse with an ITIN.
Examples
Former first stimulus check rules:
Second stimulus check rules:
Former first and second stimulus check rules for military filers:
Second Round Of Checks Up For Debate
Lawmakers are currently debating on a second round of stimulus checks.
Many Democrats have said that the first round of checks is not nearly enough for Americans, as businesses have been forced to close and people have had hours cut at work, been furloughed or lost their jobs entirely.
Over 50 Democratic lawmakers signed a letter in April encouraging monthly direct payments as part of a fourth coronavirus response bill, The Hill reported.
Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Sen. Kamala Harris of California, Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota were among those supporting the monthly payments.
Republicans, however, have been less keen about a second round of checks and pushed for the economy to open instead.
The real stimulus thats going to change the trajectory that were on is going to be the economy, not government checks, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said during a virtual town hall.
So I doubt there will be another payment, he added.
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The Definition Of A Government Stimulus
The technical definition of a government stimulus, as described by Investopedia.com, includes the following:
Economic stimulus consists of attempts by governments or government agencies to financially stimulate an economy.
Such attempts can include alterations to federal fiscal policies, quantitative easing, which is defined by some as a form of investment the government makes in certain critical bond markets and/or other areas for a certain span of time to stabilize the economy.
There may also be direct payments to corporations or individuals designed to encourage spending, hiring, and generally grease the skids, so to speak, of the national economy.
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Check If You Qualify For The Golden State Stimulus Ii
To qualify, you must have:
- Filed your 2020 taxes by October 15, 2021
- Had a California Adjusted Gross Income of $1 to $75,000 for the 2020 tax year. For this information refer to:
- Line 17 on Form 540
- Line 16 on Form 540 2EZ
- Had wages of $0 to $75,000 for the 2020 tax year
- Been a California resident for more than half of the 2020 tax year
- Been a California resident on the date payment is issued
- Not been claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer
- A dependent is a qualifying child or qualifying relative. Go to FTB Publication 1540 for more information about a qualifying child and qualifying relative
To receive your payment, you must have filed a complete 2020 tax return by .
If you dont qualify for GSS II, you may qualify for GSS I.
Fourth Stimulus Check Approval: Here’s What It’ll Take

The White House hasn’t responded to any of the proposals for additional stimulus checks, and the general sentiment is that a fourth stimulus check isn’t likely. Economists have suggested we’ve already moved past the pandemic’s worst financial woes, although there are signs that Americans could still use relief.
Experts certainly seem in agreement that there won’t be a fourth stimulus check. The latest stimulus package, the American Rescue Plan, is “gonna be the last on that front,” Deutsche Bank senior U.S. economist Brett Ryan told Fortune. “No more checks.”
Ed Mills, Washington policy analyst at Raymond James, agreed, telling CNBC recently “I think its unlikely at this time. D.C. has largely started to pivot towards the recovery and an infrastructure bill.”
Many economists and financial experts are worried that the third stimulus checks have contributed to a growing inflation rate. In June 2021, the core inflation rate, stripped of energy and food prices, rose 4.5% at an annual rate vs. the Dow Jones estimate of 3.8%. The overall consumer price index rose at an annualized 5.4% rate in June.
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Th Stimulus Checks Given Out To Teachers
For other states, their fourth stimulus checks are taking on a new lookas teacher bonuses! Its no secret that teachers are the unsung heroes of our communities, and theyve been put through the wringer during the pandemic. To show them the appreciation that they more than deserve, some states are giving teachers a fourth stimulus.
- Florida
In Florida, teachers will be getting a $1,000 bonusalthough some of the details of who qualifies are up in the air. If youre a teacher in the Sunshine State, check with your district to see if you can get in on this.14
- Georgia
Georgia is extending the $1,000 bonus to both full-time teachers and administrators. Part-time teachers will still score a bonus of $500, and theres even a plan in place to give a bonus to pre-K teachers.15
- Michigan
Earlier in 2021, Michigan used a grant to pay bonuses of $500 to its teachers and $250 to school support staff. No word yet on whether theyll give out another bonus, though.16
- Tennessee
Our very own Tennessee is giving full-time teachers $1,000 and part-time teachers $500 to thank them for their hard work.17
- Texas
Now, nothing has happened statewide yet, but some districts in the Lone Star State are giving out their own bonuses. Districts are gifting things like 24% raises, a $500 bonus, and even a $2,000 incentive for some teachers to return to the classroom.18
People With Unpaid Debts
People who have unpaid private debts excluding outstanding child support payments or tax debts could be at risk for having their stimulus checks garnished.
That’s due to the fact that lawmakers used a process known as budget reconciliation to pass the coronavirus relief package which limited their ability to prevent garnishment of the payments. However, banking and consumer trade groups have called for follow-up legislation to change that.
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How Taxes Play A Role In Your Stimulus Payment Amount
Taxes were due May 17. So how will the IRS figure out how much it owes you? It will calculate your total based on the most recent tax filing it’s processed when tabulating the amount of your stimulus check.
If you know your tax return was already processed, the amount of your stimulus check will likely be based on your 2020 adjusted gross income, not on your 2019 AGI. That presents complications if the difference between the two years disqualifies you from getting a third stimulus check.
On the flip side, if the IRS uses your 2019 taxes and you’re owed more money based on your 2020 AGI and dependents, you could get a plus-up payment. If you got more than you’re owed, you’ll only need to return it to the IRS in some cases.
Rd Round Of Stimulus Checks
What is a stimulus check? What should veterans, people in uniform, and their families know about economic stimulus packages and how they are paid? There have been two stimulus checks mailed to American citizens related to COVID-19 economic relief and at least one more on the way in 2021.
Most recently more than 320,000 payments, with a total value of $450 million, went to Veterans Affairs beneficiaries who receive Compensation and Pension benefit payments but who dont normally file a tax return and didnt use the Non-Filers tool last year.
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Fourth Stimulus Check: $2000 A Month Stimulus Checks
Congress provided three stimulus checks to qualifying Americans in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Like the previous three stimulus checks, a fourth stimulus check would come from Congress. While Democrats control Congress, there has been no serious effort to date to pass legislation that would provide $2,000 a month stimulus checks or even a fourth stimulus check. While the previous three stimulus checks were one-time stimulus checks, this petition calls for monthly stimulus checks. What is the rationale for recurring stimulus checks? Supporters say that a single stimulus check is insufficient to help Americans who are struggling financially due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. This includes those who, like Bonin, work in the restaurant sector. Last year, Rep. Ilhan Omar and 55 Democrats sent a letter to President Joe Biden to support recurring stimulus checks. However, Biden doesnt support a fourth stimulus check or recurring stimulus checks. Currently, Biden is focused on Congress passing his legislative agenda, the Build Back Better plan, which doesnt include any stimulus checks.
What If My Bank Account Information Changed How Will I Get My Second Stimulus Check
Unfortunately, if your second stimulus check is sent to an account that is closed or no longer active, the IRS will not reissue the payment to you by mail. Instead, if you are eligible to get a payment, you can claim the stimulus check on your 2020 tax return as the Recovery Rebate Credit or use GetCTC.org if you dont have a filing requirement.
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Amount And Status Of Your Payment
To find the amount of the third payment, create or view your online account or refer to IRS Notice 1444-C, which we mailed after sending the payment.
If you are sent a plus-up Economic Impact Payment after your 2020 tax return is processed:
- The amount of your initial third payment will no longer show in your online account. You will only see the amount of your plus-up payment.
- The status of your initial third payment will no longer show in Get My Payment. You will only see the status of your plus-up payment.
Special Reminder For Those Who Don’t Normally File A Tax Return

People who don’t normally file a tax return and don’t receive federal benefits may qualify for stimulus payments. This includes those without a permanent address, an income or bank account.
If you’re eligible and didn’t get a first, second or third Economic Impact Payment or got less than the full amounts, you may be eligible for a Recovery Rebate Credit, but you’ll need to file a tax return.
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Still Living Paycheck To Paycheck
While the stimulus checks and now-expired Child Tax Credit provided direct aid to families, “most federal aid programs miss the mark, and only reach a fraction of the intended recipients,” noted Greg Nasif, political director of Humanity Forward.
He added, “They barely functioned even before the pandemic and they leave parents with a full-time job navigating bureaucratic hurdles.” In his view, providing “speedy, efficient, direct cash support” is the best option for helping struggling families.
Many people never applied for unemployment benefits because they didn’t think they were eligible, while others may have given up due to long waits and other issues.
Even those who qualified for aid didn’t always receive it. Only 4 in 10 jobless workers actually received unemployment aid, according to a from economist Eliza Forsythe.
Where Is My Second Stimulus Check
All second stimulus checks were issued by January 15, 2021. If you didnt get a second stimulus check by then , you can claim your second stimulus check as the Recovery Rebate Tax Credit on your 2020 tax return or use GetCTC.org if you dont have a filing requirement.
You can request a trace of your stimulus check. You should only request a payment trace if you received IRS Notice 1444-B showing that your second stimulus check was issued or if your IRS account shows your payment amount and you havent received your second stimulus check.
Learn more about requesting a payment trace here.
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Fourth Stimulus Check Possible Timeline
Right now, there is no fourth stimulus check timeline or fourth stimulus check release date. Until legislation is in motion, we cant say how soon more relief money might arrive. We cant say whether more relief money is coming, at all.
That said, the third stimulus check timeline happened rather quickly following Bidens inauguration Jan. 20. It only took a few weeks for Congress to debate his American Rescue Plan. Once the president signed the bill on March 11, $1,400 checks were put in motion.
The IRS can begin sending out possible fourth stimulus checks in the same manner it sent the previous stimulus payments. Since the framework is already in place, Americans could begin receiving the fourth stimulus checks about two weeks after a relief bill allowing another round of direct payments is approved.
Check The Status Of Your Third Economic Impact Payment
All Third Economic Impact Payments must be issued by Dec. 31, 2021 in accordance with the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, signed into law on March 11, 2021.
The IRS mailed Notice 1444-C to people who received a third Economic Impact Payment. You should keep this letter with your tax year 2021 records.
Check when and how your payment was sent with the Get My Payment tool.
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Are 4th Stimulus Checks Really Happening
They arebut theyre not coming from the federal government like the last three stimulus checks did. This time, it all depends on what state you live in. Thats right, these fourth stimulus checks are being given out to some folks at the state and city levels now.
Back when the American Rescue Plan rolled out, all 50 states as a whole were given $195 billion to help fund their own economic recovery closer to home.1 Thats a lot of dough. But heres the catchthey dont have forever to spend that money. The states have to figure out what to spend the money on by the end of 2024, and then they have until the end of 2026 to use up all that cash.2 Those deadlines might sound super far away, but the clock is ticking here.
Key Details On Income Dependent Eligibility For New Round Of Relief Payments In Newly Enacted Relief Package
WASHINGTONAnother round of stimulus checks is heading to bank accounts now that President Biden has signed the coronavirus relief legislation into law, and money is starting to reach people this weekend.
When are the payments coming?
Officials from the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service said the government sent the first batch of direct deposits on Friday. Some households may see the money over the weekend. The official payment date is March 17, and it may take that long for the payments to clear at some banks. Subsequent batches of direct deposits will happen over the coming weeks.
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When Will Stimulus Checks Arrive
Many federal beneficiaries who filed 2019 or 2020 returns or used the Non-Filers tool last year have been issued Economic Impact Payments. The majority of Social Security recipients and other federal beneficiaries who do not normally file a tax return are expected to be sent payments electronically by April 7. This applies to Social Security, Supplemental Security Income , and Railroad Retirement Board beneficiaries who did not file a 2019 or 2020 tax return or did not use the Non-Filers tool.
Americans started seeing the money in their bank accounts as early as March 17. The IRS took about one week to send the second round of checks, worth $600, in January. Paper checks and prepaid Visa debit cards which are expected to be part of the third stimulus program would be sent in the regular mail and take a bit longer.
The fifth batch of payments began processing on Friday, April 9, with an official payment date of April 14. The fifth batch included:
IRS Get My Payment Tool: The IRS re-launched the Get My Payment tool on the IRS.gov website to help Americas track their own payments.
Check Your Third Economic Impact Payment Status

Check your payment status in the Get My Payment tool.
The third payment is not claimed on your 2020 tax return or used to calculate the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit.
The Third Economic Impact Payment was authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 as an advance payment of the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit. Most eligible people won’t need to take additional action to get this payment.
Below are frequently asked questions about the Third Economic Impact Payment, separated by topic.
Do not call the IRS. Our phone assistors don’t have information beyond what’s available on IRS.gov.
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