Stimulus Check Update: Who Qualifies for Latest $1200 Payments?

Stimulus check payments were first issued in 2020, with the U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service distributing three rounds of the stimulus checks during the COVID-19 crisis.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act handed out Economic Impact Payments of up to $1,200 per adult for eligible individuals and $500 per qualifying child under age 17, according to the Treasury Department website.

It was first distributed in April 2020, with the second distribution worth $600 from December 2020 to January 2021, with its final tranche issued in March 2021, which is worth $1,400.

The payments were given to recipients through a direct deposit to a bank account or by mail as a paper check or a debit card.

However, it might not be the last stimulus check payments some Americans will receive, at least for eligible families in Washington.

Stimulus Check Washington

Washington's Department of Revenue introduced the Working Families Tax Credit on Wednesday, with the tax credit providing more than $1,200 refund for those who qualify.

The stimulus check for eligible Washington residents targets to benefit more than 400,000 low-income households in the state, according to Newsweek.

Just like any other tax credits, applicants will be determined if they are qualified based on their income level and how many qualifying children are in the household.

A single filer can receive up to $300 through the tax credit. Meanwhile, the amount of tax credit increased by $300 for every child up to $1,200 for families with three or more children.

The minimum amount based on the income of eligible children is $50.

The tax credit was the result of more than a decade's worth of work from community advocates, according to Washington State Budget and Policy Center.

It stemmed from a 2008 law that has just recently been funded. Eligible families need to apply to receive the tax credit, as cited by the Associated Press News.

Washington estimates that it will pay $230 million in refunds and $257 million next year as more people are reached by the program.

Former Gov. Christine Gregoire signed the tax credit into law in 2008, with the program adopted from the federal Earned Income Tax Credit.

Stimulus Check Update

Congress has been unable to pass any laws that would allow for the distribution of a fourth stimulus check.

U.S. President Joe Biden has also failed to mention whether there was any desire from his administration to do so.

A 2020 petition calling on Congress to approve monthly $200 checks is still spreading, with the petition creator, Stephanie Bonin, saying that the country is still "deeply struggling" and that recovery has not reached many Americans yet.

Bonin, who is also a restaurant owner, said that the true employment rate for low-wage workers is around 20%, with many people facing large debts.

Some states issued their own form of stimulus checks in different amounts in 2022 to help their residents face the rising costs of goods due to inflation.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Stimulus checks: 10 million people are still eligible for payments — but have 1 month to claim them - from News 19 WLTX