Florida Families to Receive $450-per-Child Relief Checks as Ron DeSantis Uses COVID-19 Funds Amid Rising Inflation
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state will be reallocating some of its COVID-19 funds to send $450-per-child relief checks to struggling families amid the rising inflation. Octavio Jones/Getty Images

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Thursday said the state will be reallocating some of its COVID-19 funds to send $450-per-child relief checks to struggling families amid the rising inflation.

Business Insider reported that thousands of low-income families in Florida will receive the relief checks starting this week.

In a statement, Laura Walthall, a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Children and Families, said the one-time payment will help families to send their children back to school, especially those affected by rising inflation.

The state received $1 billion from the American Rescue Plan Act. From this fund, DeSantis will use $35.5 million to fund the checks.

Walthall noted that foster parents, relative and nonrelative caregivers, and families receiving funding from the Florida Temporary Assistance for Needy Families programs are eligible to receive the relief checks.

According to the Florida Department of Children and Families, about 59,000 families are expected to receive at least one check. The agency added that no application is needed.

Florida COVID-19 Funds

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed into law in March 2020, included the creation of the Coronavirus Relief Fund, which paved the way for the state to be provided $150 billion in direct assistance across the nation.

According to Florida's Chief Financial Officer site, the state was allotted $8.4 billion. Of this amount, $5.86 billion was deposited into Florida's Treasury as general revenue, while around $2.47 billion was allocated to 12 of the largest counties directly by the U.S. Treasury.

The CARES Act also provided $770 million in emergency relief for elementary and secondary schools. The Florida Department of Education allotted funds for state-level education activities to support priority areas such as literacy achievement and summer recovery, among others.

Relief Checks Amid Inflation

Several states have announced that they will send relief checks to their residents to cushion the effects of inflation, which was recorded to be at the highest rate in four decades.

California announced that Governor Gavin Newsom proposed to send direct payments of $400 per vehicle to state residents, with a limitation of two vehicles.

CBS News reported that the checks could arrive as soon as July while pending approval from California lawmakers. California had one of the highest gas prices in the nation, with the state having an average gas price of $5.87 per gallon.

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham also announced that she signed a law to provide $250 rebate checks for individuals while $500 for married couples.

The state also issued income limits similar to the stimulus checks issued bu the federal government. Those eligible for checks are couples earning up to $150,000 and single filers with income up to $75,000.

Idaho Governor Brad Little also signed a bill that included $350 million in tax rebates. A family of four could receive at least $300. Meanwhile, residents of Indiana are set to receive $125 each after they file their taxes in 2022.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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