Stimulus Checks. Around 88.1 million Americans have received their stimulus check payments, according to new data by the Internal Revenue Service, with the average amount totaling $1,791. So far, the issued payments are worth $158 billion in total.
“The IRS, Treasury and partner agencies are working non-stop to get these payments out in record time to Americans who need them,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig in a statement. “Tens of millions of people across the country are receiving these payments, and millions more are on the way.”
The state-by-state distribution of payments aligns with population. California, Texas, and Florida — the three most populous states — have received the most individual payments and the largest total amount in stimulus worth $15.9 billion, $14.4 billion, and $11 billion, respectively.
As part of the $2 trillion stimulus package, a total of $250 billion is being distributed to Americans’ wallets to help them financially ride out job loss, reduced work hours, and other money hardships they’re facing.
About 175 million Americans are eligible for the payments, according to the White House, meaning about half of those eligible have gotten their payments so far.
The first batch of around 5 million paper checks should have arrived today in the mail for many Americans, while the distribution of paper checks will continue until mid-September. Social Security recipients who don’t file taxes are expected to receive their stimulus payments by the end of April.
Americans can now track the status of their stimulus payments and add direct deposit information on the IRS website if those details aren’t on file with the agency. Those who don’t usually file taxes can also provide the IRS with their information to get their stimulus payment. Here’s everything you need to know about the stimulus check.
Who gets a stimulus check?
As part of a $2 trillion coronavirus relief package, many Americans will get government checks up to $1,200 — plus $500 per child — to help them ride out a job loss, reduced work hours, and other money challenges as the country tries to stem the pandemic.
“Our updated estimate is that 93.6% of [tax] filers will have a rebate,” Garrett Watson, senior policy analyst at The Tax Foundation, said. “And this works out to approximately 140 million households.”
Your eligibility is based on your most recent tax return and your adjusted gross income. If you already filed your 2019 taxes, your eligibility will be based on that. If not, the IRS will use your 2018 taxes to determine if you qualify.
The benefit is available not only to those who have filed taxes, but also to those who receive Social Security benefits as long as they’ve received their SSA-1099 or RB-1099 forms.
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