Fourth Stimulus Check: Are More Payments Coming?

Through the American Rescue Plan, around 160 million Americans gained a maximum of $1,400 from the third round of stimulus payments. While these helped millions of people in financial distress, Delta variant cases continue to rise, and the unemployment rate is still higher than pre-pandemic levels. So, you can’t help but wonder: “Is a fourth stimulus check coming?”

While a fourth stimulus check seems unlikely, various programs have been developed for further financial assistance. Read on to know more about the fourth stimulus check possibility and what you should expect.

What You Must Know About the Possible Fourth Stimulus Check

The $1,400 checks issued from March to May 2021 may have been a huge help, but around 7.7 million people in the U.S. are still suffering from unemployment and trying to make ends meet. This made about three million individuals sign a petition at Change.org to grant $2,000 monthly payments to adults and $1,000 to children until the end of the pandemic.

Given that the third round of stimulus checks was not enough for people to cope with the pandemic, 21 lawmakers pushed for recurring stimulus checks.

Why a Fourth Stimulus Check Is Unlikely

Despite the millions of signatures gathered from the petition and the letter that lawmakers sent to President Joe Biden, the chances of getting another stimulus check in your bank account remain low because of the following factors:

Recovering Economy

As restrictions have been lifted, more businesses have resumed operations. More jobs are also becoming available in various sectors. For some industries, a shortage in the workforce has led to increased compensation.

The three stimulus checks and the Child Tax Credit payments were also a huge contributing factor in Americans’ higher spending power. As a result, more job opportunities have opened to fulfill people’s needs. 

Progress in Vaccinations

One apparent reason that you may not get a fourth stimulus check is the increasing number of vaccinated individuals. Around 56% are fully vaccinated, while 65% have completed their first dose. In each state, adults and those who are at least 12 years old could be vaccinated. Even those who are over 65 could get booster shots of Pfizer.

Focus on Infrastructure

As the Biden administration seems to prioritize infrastructure, you may not receive a fourth stimulus check. The Senate passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which seeks to secure funding for various projects, including roads, rail, airports, water systems, schools, broadband, and more.  

From the proposed $2.3 trillion budget, President Biden and some senators agreed on the $1 trillion infrastructure projects. Given such a huge amount, a fourth stimulus check — more so a $2,000 monthly payment — seems far-fetched.

Other Financial Aid

The fourth stimulus check may seem impossible, but you can still benefit from other aids provided by the government. For example, through the revised Child Tax Credit (CTC) from the American Rescue Plan, qualified parents could get $3,600 every year for children below six and $3,000 for those between six and 17 years old.

On July 15, a monthly payment of $300 already began. This will last until December, and the rest will be given after you file your 2021 taxes. However, Democrats have proposed an extension of the monthly child tax credit until 2025. If you were blessed with a child this year, you could also get an additional stimulus amount of $1,400. However, this will take effect in 2022. 

In California, residents may benefit from the “Golden State Stimulus” check amounting to $600 for those who have filed their tax returns last year. Meanwhile, Texas and Florida also offer teachers some bonuses.

Conclusion

The impact of vaccination, the slowly recovering economy, and different priorities of the government make the fourth stimulus check improbable. Given the financial challenges of the pandemic, you might also worry more about your monthly loan payments, credit cards, and other types of debt. Wondering how you can better manage and eventually clear your debts? Get our debt courses today!

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