Stimulus Check Pennsylvania - In December, nearly 10% of Philadelphia-area households reported not having enough food to eat. Relief needs to come quickly.
Last year's stimulus check was an advance payment of a special 2020 tax credit known as the Recovery Rebate Credit. The Biden administration hopes to send the largest stimulus check soon. Read more Dreamstime / TNS
Stimulus Check Pennsylvania
Before taking office, President Joe Biden unveiled his US Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion coronavirus response plan that would, among other things, finance mass vaccinations and provide relief to struggling families and small businesses. As Congress debates Biden's proposal — Senate Democrats could push it through a budget resolution as early as Friday — one hot-button issue is the $1,400 "stimulus payment" for those who qualify. This will be the third round of such relief: payments of up to $1,200 per person were distributed last April, and a second round of $600 payments was completed in January.
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Economists disagree on whether this third round of payments is properly targeted. While the payments provide much-needed support to families hardest hit by the pandemic, they also go to families who have not experienced job or income loss, which some see as unfair. This makes remittances less effective as a way to stimulate the economy, as higher-income households tend to save rather than spend the extra income. On the other hand, paying almost everyone is an appeal to be politically attractive to a large segment of the population, and a quick way to provide relief to those who are struggling.
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Indeed, many people are struggling. Earlier this week, the U.S. The Census Bureau released new data from its Household Pulse Survey, which covers nearly 1,600 households in the Philly area, providing a real-time glimpse into how Philadelphians live.
The news is serious. In December, nearly 10% of Philadelphia-area households reported not having enough food to eat. Thirty-four percent of Philly homeowners were not absolutely sure they would be able to make next month's mortgage payments. When asked if they expected anyone in the household to experience a loss of employment income in the next four weeks, more than a quarter of Philadelphians said yes. Measures of mental health such as anxiety and depression were also alarmingly high, with 36% of respondents reporting feeling anxious or depressed in the past seven days, with more than half.
U.s. Congress Approved 2021 Economic Impact Payments, Or Stimulus Checks, For Eligible Americans. Here A Check Is Unopened In Its Envelope Stock Photo
For such families, the next relief payment may not come soon enough. The IRS distributes these payments, which are actually tax rebates paid in advance, mostly by direct deposit. As such, it used account information from filers' 2019 tax returns. In the absence of that information, stimulus payments are sent by mail in the form of a check or debit card.
There were errors and omissions in the first two rounds of distribution. Millions of tax filers who used tax preparation services such as H&R Block or TurboTax initially did not receive their payments because the IRS mistakenly deposited them into temporary accounts that were no longer accessible to individuals. Eligible individuals without direct deposit information on file, as well as those without bank accounts (13% of Philadelphia households are unbanked), received debit cards. Some people reported that they threw away the mail containing the debit card because it looked like junk mail.
Nevertheless, these payments have provided tangible relief to many of the people most negatively affected by the pandemic. The Census Bureau reports that most households—especially those earning less than $75,000—spend money on household expenses such as food, rent and utilities.
Most families will receive the third round of payments, so it is important that this round goes smoothly. If they are delivered after Feb. 12, when this year's tax season begins, the IRS can base the third round of payments on 2020 returns, which would solve the problem of outdated direct deposit information for some filers. For those who get their excitement in the mail, the experience of the last two rounds can help them learn how to track their payments and avoid confusing envelopes for junk mail. But the government should do everything possible to raise awareness.
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The challenge of distributing stimulus payments also has wider implications. This points to the need to bring unbanked households into the banking system, a topic explored by our collaborator John Caskey. And, like the poor rollout of Healthcare.gov or the convoluted, decentralized distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, it highlights the importance of well-designed systems for rapid and effective policy implementation. Errors and inaccuracies can undermine the government's purpose of helping those in need.
Philadelphia is one of more than 20 news organizations that make up Broke in Philly, a collaborative reporting project on the city's push toward poverty solutions and economic justice. See all our reporting at breakinphilly.org.HARRISBURG—The Internal Revenue Service has issued more than 90 million stimulus checks and direct deposits nationwide, as an additional $1,400 in payments continues.
Millions of people will receive additional benefits in the US rescue plan, including reimbursement for COVID-related funeral expenses and school lunch waivers for low-income families.
The American Rescue Plan increased the child tax credit from a maximum of $2,000 per child to an annual maximum of $3,600 per child.
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But families don't have to wait for their taxes to claim it. In fact, they won't have to do anything this year.
According to the IRS, half of the monthly payments starting in July will be due by December. The other half of the payment will be included in your 2021 tax refund.
Based on household income, monthly payments will range from $300 per month for each qualifying child under the age of 5 to $250 per month for each qualifying child between the ages of 6 and 17.
The amount ends for single filers earning more than $75,000 per year, heads of household earning more than $112,500 per year, and married filers earning more than $150,000 per year.
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Payments will be automatic for those who file their 2020 tax returns by May 17, the federal and state tax deadline.
Non-filers must file a tax return to receive the credit, even if they do not normally file taxes.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, families of coronavirus victims who have spent money on funeral expenses will be reimbursed from April.
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act enabled the agency with $2 billion to spend on reimbursements.
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Pennsylvanians can expect to receive $7,000 to cover COVID-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.
According to FEMA, when applying for funding, the applicant must provide a death certificate that the death is attributable to the virus.
People will also need to provide a receipt or agreement for funeral expenses that includes the name of the deceased and the dates of the services.
Pennsylvania will soon distribute more than $1 billion in Covid relief funds to nearly one million children who missed out on free and reduced-price meals while attending school virtually.
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The program, known as Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT), was first created last spring by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. It was reauthorized by the most recent relief plan to cover the entire 2020-21 school year.
Families of eligible children will receive benefits equal to the daily rate for school breakfast and lunch in the National School Lunch Program, which is approximately $7 per day.
On a 180-day school calendar, a child who participates virtually for the year will receive more than $1,200 in benefits.
For eligible students attending school in a blended learning model, the Wolf administration will release 65% of full-time benefits.
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For families who already receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits, school lunch benefits will automatically be added to the family's regular EBT card.
Other families will receive benefits on a white card that will be mailed to the family's home address in the name of each eligible child.
Millions of Pennsylvanians will also benefit from additional assistance provided by food assistance programs, child care funding and expanded unemployment.
Candy Woodall is a reporter with USA TODAY Network's Pennsylvania Capitol Bureau. She can be reached at cwoodall@gannett.com, 717-480-1783 or on Twitter at @candynotcandace.
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