Democrats Reveal Final Details of COVID-19 Relief Package; Who Are Eligible for $1,400 Stimulus Checks?

By Mary Anne R. (staff@latinpost.com) First Posted: Feb 09, 2021 08:24 PM EST

The sun rises over the US Capitol on December 28, 2020 in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump signed the Relief Bill and government funding bill into law Sunday night, averting a government shutdown. (Photo : Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

U.S. President Joe Biden has released a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package plan that would provide the third round of stimulus checks for Americans who need it. Under this proposal is a $1,400 stimulus checks waiting to be issued.

Lawmakers have deliberated who will be eligible for the said $1,400 stimulus checks.

Democrats have unveiled final details of the third round of the stimulus check on Monday night, which includes eligibility for considered dependents, according to a CNBC report.

The considered dependents include college students and disable adults. Under the latest provisions, they will be qualified to receive the $1,400 stimulus checks.

The latest relief package includes $1,400 payments for both children and non-child dependents, such as college students, disabled adults, and even older Americans who are claimed as dependent for tax purposes. L

It is expected to pass Congress in the coming weeks through a budget reconciliation process.

The budget reconciliation process would allow the Senate to pass the effort without any Republican support. House and Senate committees will discuss spending priorities before drafting and voting on legislation, according to a CBS News report.

The Senate approved on Feb. 4 a bipartisan plan introduced by Democratic Senator Joe Manchin and Republican Senator Susan Collins to block "upper-income citizens" from the next round of stimulus checks. However, the plan does not define "upper income."

Collins said in a statement that the measure would ensure that struggling families who need it most would receive the checks.

Amendments Released

Draft text released by House Committee on Ways and Means chair Rep. Richard Neal revealed that income threshold for eligibility will not be reduced in the next round of pandemic aid, according to a Forbes report.

However, a previous check gradually declines until they reached a zero, whereas the House draft puts a firm cap on the maximum income you can earn and still receive a payment.

Qualifying Americans will receive up to $1,400 for individuals; $2,800 for qualifying couples who file a joint tax return; $1,400 for each dependent child under the age of 17; $1,400 for each qualifying adult independent.

Meanwhile, your adjusted gross income to receive a full payment must be $75,000 for single filers; $112,000 for the head of household filers; $150,000 for married couples filing jointly.

However, those who earn $100,000 for single filers; $150,000 for heads of household; and $200,000 for married couples filing jointly will not be receiving a stimulus payment.

"Since the middle of June, the recession in jobs for higher-income households is over - employment has been just like it was before the pandemic" because their jobs can be done remotely, Michael Stepner, an economist with Opportunity Insights, was quoted on a report.

House Democrats on Feb. 8 pushed back on those lower limits, proposing to keep the income thresholds at the same level as for the previous checks.

Biden earlier said that he will not allow the per-person payments to fall below $1,400 but has indicated flexibility on the income thresholds.

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