Government Stimulus Checks are Arriving

Have you received your stimulus check (Economic Impact Payment) yet? The federal government began sending the checks to Americans this week to help ease the financial crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. An estimated 80 million people were expected to receive the direct deposit by mid-week. The first wave of people receiving checks filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return and gave the IRS their direct deposit information.

The IRS has a "Get My Payment" website where people can check on the status of their payment if they have not received it yet and input their direct deposit information. Seniors and disabled Americans on Social Security will automatically receive their checks in the coming weeks. Other low-income Americans who don't normally file a tax return need to input this basic information on another new website the IRS has set up. It is estimated it could take up to a month for the IRS to send people checks by mail who don't have direct deposit information on file with the government. 

Adults with incomes below $75,000 are due to receive $1,200, while couples earning less than $150,000 will receive $2,400. Families with children under age 17 can expect to receive an additional $500 per child. Most people are using the money for basic needs like rent, food, and gas.