Second Stimulus Check: Parents in This State Will Soon Receive More Cash

By Madelaine D. Sep 05 2020, 08:47 AM EDT

The second stimulus checks for American families has been uncertain for quite some time now as Congress has yet to break its impasse in negotiations on the next round of coronavirus aid.

However, North Carolina parents will soon receive a second cash payment as the state legislature approved the Coronavirus Relief Act 3.0 this week.

The Coronavirus Relief Act 3.0 is a $1 billion spending measure that will give a $335 stimulus check to parents with dependents of 17 years old and younger. It was designed to help parents with the costs associated with child care and remote learning amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Fox News, the checks called "extra credit grants" will be sent out by December 15 to the eligible parents who filed their taxes. Recipients of the $335 stimulus check are those individuals who received their 2019 state tax return refund through the direct deposit. They will also receive the extra cash aid through direct deposit, as per the legislation.

Second Stimulus Check? In this State, Parents will Soon Receive More Cash Jonathan Borba

Those who did not file can still apply for the grant regardless of how many kids in a household.

"I know $335 can't pay off a mortgage, but it'll put a dent in the cost of electronic device or help pay for a tutor. I am not worried about how parents will spend that $335. All I know is they need it. They deserve it," state Senate leader Phil Berger, a Republican, said in a press conference on Wednesday.

The North Carolina Senate passed the bill on Wednesday by a 44-5 vote, with five Democrats voting against it. On Thursday, the House voted for it by 104-10 and sent the legislation to Governor Roy Cooper.

The proposal will spend about $440 million of the roughly $903 million in federal CARES Act money the state needs to allocate by the end of 2020.

Negotiations on another round of emergency aid collapsed at the start of August even if both Republicans and Democrats seemed to support a second $1,200 stimulus check for adults and $500 for children and other dependents early this summer.

One of the biggest contentions among the parties was the cost of the COVID-19 relief package.

The White House and Republican leaders wanted to keep the price tag closer to $1 trillion amid growing concerns over the country's ballooning deficit, while the Democrats offered to come down $1 trillion from the roughly $3 trillion HEROES Act that the House passed in May.

Democrats said they would only agree with Republicans if they agree to a $2.2 trillion price tag.

President Donald Trump has urged both parties to come together and cut a deal. In mid-August, the President directed Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to prepare a second cash payment for Americans with qualifications the same as the first.

Under the Republicans and Democrats' proposals, those who earn an adjusted gross income of up to $75,000 would receive a second $1,200 payment.

Checks for high earners will be reduced by $5 for every $100 in income and phased out entirely at $99,000 for individuals and $198,000 for couples.