Despite heated pleas for a fourth round of stimulus checks as the COVID delta variant rampages through the U.S., Washington has been cool to the idea of another direct payment.
President Joe Biden and Congress’ Democratic leaders have moved on to other things. Meanwhile, an online petition to send Americans $2,000 a month until the U.S. is clear of the COVID crisis is nearing 3 million signatures.
But some governors, including California’s Gavin Newsom (pictured), have pushed their states to pay stimulus checks. In fact, California just sent out a second round. And, the massive stimulus bill the president signed in March included $350 billion in aid to states and local government that could be used for direct payments.
Here are the states that are providing relief money, to help residents cover household expenses or pay down debt.
States now paying out stimulus checks
California
Distribution of California’s new round of stimulus has already begun with Governor Newsom telling taxpayers in a video message to “look out for checks either in your mailbox or directly in your account.” The nation’s most populous state is using its own money to make the payments — not federal funds.
Quirks in the state’s tax system, the record-shattering stock market and other factors have left California with a huge budget surplus, which it has tapped to send cash to residents earning $75,000 or less. An earlier wave primarily went to those making $30,000 or less.
The new payments are giving California residents $600 to $1,100, depending on immigration status and whether they have children. Checks are being issued automatically, to Californians who filed 2020 tax returns.
Florida
In recognition of the special difficulties teachers have had navigating their way through the pandemic, Florida has been doling out $1,000 checks to its educators.
The Sunshine State also is paying first responders — including law enforcement officers, paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and firefighters — up to $1,000 as an acknowledgment of the many sacrifices they’ve been making throughout the crisis.
New Mexico
New Mexico’s stimulus program devoted $5 million to helping low-income residents who weren’t eligible for federal stimulus checks. More than 4,000 households across the state received up to $750 in emergency financial assistance.
The state’s Human Services Department said in an early August news release that the entire $5 million was not paid out, so a second round of checks would be issued “within the next couple of months.”
Tennessee
Earlier this year, Tennessee’s state legislature passed a bill providing teachers with hazard pay for making it through the worst of the pandemic.
Lawmakers had originally proposed a 2% raise for educators, but it was ultimately replaced with a one-time payment of $1,000 for full-time teachers. Part-timers will receive $500. It’s expected the checks will be mailed out by the end of this year.
Texas
While there’s no statewide program for COVID relief payments in Texas, some local school districts are providing their employees with stimulus checks in the form of retention bonuses.
In the Dallas suburb of Irving, the bonus is as much as $2,000. In nearby Denton, teachers will receive $500 and a 2% pay increase if they return to work in the fall, for the 2021-2022 school year. Several Texas school districts have approved pay raises for educators instead of direct payments.
What if your state isn’t offering extra stimulus?
If you don’t qualify for a state stimulus check or your state isn’t offering them, you have a few options to find relief on your own.
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Deal with your debt. Credit is convenient, but it doesn’t take long before expensive interest catches up with you. If you’re juggling multiple credit card balances and other high-interest debt, fold them into a single debt consolidation loan to pay off what you owe faster and more affordably.
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Cut your insurance bills. If you haven’t shopped around for a better rate on your car insurance lately, you might be paying hundreds of dollars too much each year. A little comparison shopping could slash your auto premiums. The same trick also works well for finding a lower rate on homeowners insurance.
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Stretch every dollar. Can you drop subscription services you’re not using? Can you downgrade your phone plan to save a few dollars every month? And finally, are you getting the best deals when you shop online? If you’re not sure about that last one, download a free browser extension that automatically scours the internet for better prices and coupons.
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Turn your pennies into a portfolio. Earn some returns in the red-hot stock market, even if you don’t have much money or much experience with investing. A wildly popular app can help you invest just your “spare change” from everyday purchases — and turn your pennies into a diversified portfolio.
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.