06/08/2020
Stimulus Update
004-counting-cash-money-dollar-bills-hands-blue-background-stimulus-2020
A second stimulus check is expected to pass, but the payment schedule is still unknown. We break down some likely scenarios.
Sarah Tew/CNET
With less than two days remaining to reach an agreement on the next stimulus package before a self-imposed Aug. 7 deadline, White House and Democratic negotiators continue to search for common ground on the details of the bill, including if the final legislation will include a second stimulus check. How soon you could then receive that new payment depends entirely on when the two sides come together on a deal.
While negotiators are hopeful they will reach an agreement this week -- "I feel optimistic that there is a light at the end of the tunnel," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Wednesday -- President Donald Trump said he is prepared to act on his own to enact parts of the proposed bill if talks drag on.
"My administration is exploring executive actions to provide protections against eviction," Trump said Wednesday. In preparation for a deal this week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Thursday that his chamber will delay its planned August recess scheduled to start Aug. 10 and convene on Monday.
Once the two sides do reach an agreement, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the IRS could "start printing them the following week." This timeline would be much faster than the 19 days it took for the IRS to send out the first stimulus checks after the CARES Act was passed in March.
Working with the dates, we have a good idea when checks could be sent and who might receive them first, once the final bill becomes law. Read on for everything we know right now, based on the present debate. This story is updated often to reflect the latest news developments.
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How soon the IRS could send the second stimulus checks
There are several scenarios that could play out. Though looking unlikely, a bill could pass by Aug. 7. It could also pass the week of Aug. 10 if the House and Senate extend the length of their current session. It could also -- and this appears far less likely -- Congress could adjourn this Friday with no resolution and wait until the start of the new session on Sept. 8 to pick up the topic again.
Whenever it does pass, Mnuchin's promise of sending the first checks a week later gives us a new timeline to work from in forecasting when the first people could get their checks. For reference, we also include the dates followed by the CARES Act.
Keep reading for who could get their payment first.
When could the second stimulus checks go out?
Date passed by Senate Date passed by House Date signed First checks sent
Original CARES Act March 25 March 26 March 27 April 15
If Senate passes If House passes If President signs First checks could be sent
Final negotiated bill Monday, Aug. 10 Tuesday, Aug. 11 Wednesday, Aug. 12 Week of Aug. 17
Tuesday, Aug. 11
Wednesday, Aug. 12 Thursday, Aug. 13 Week of Aug. 17
Thursday, Aug. 13 Friday, Aug. 14 Monday, Aug. 17 Week of Aug. 24
Monday, Sept. 8 Tuesday, Sept. 9 Wednesday, Sept. 10 Week of Sept. 21
Who could get their stimulus check first?
It's likely the IRS would use roughly the same calculations and tools for sending out the second stimulus check as it did for the first one, including the IRS Get My Payment tool for tracking your stimulus check payment and signing up for direct deposit.
The IRS sent the first batch of stimulus checks to people who had filed 2018 or 2019 tax returns and had already provided the IRS with their direct deposit information, according to the House Committee on Ways and Means. Following that model, the next stimulus payment could first reach people who have already registered for direct deposit, either as part of their 2019 tax filing or before.
The next group were Social Security beneficiaries who had direct deposit information on file with federal agencies. (About 80 million people got their checks through direct deposit in the first week they were disbursed, according to the IRS.)
Paper checks didn't start getting mailed out until about a week later, to people who had not signed up for direct deposit, but you could still register for the electronic bank transfer as late as May 13. The first Economic Impact Payment debit cards, which are prepaid, were sent in mid-May to about 4 million people.
stimulus-check-in-us-mail-envelope-cash-money-2020013
Another check for up to $1,200 could find its way into your bank account.
Sarah Tew/CNET
How your stimulus check could arrive later than other people's
We won't know for sure until a new bill is passed and the IRS forms a plan to send out checks, but here are points to consider.
Changes to aid for dependents: This depends on which version of the bill passes. The CARES Act allotted $500 for dependents age 16 and under. The Republican-backed HEALS Act also allocates $500 for dependents, of any age. But the Democrat-backed HEROES Act suggests $1,200 for a maximum of three dependents. If a change is made, even if it ultimately leads to more money being sent, it could require the IRS to adjust its accounting system, which could potentially slow things down for you.
Banking status: With the first checks, people who didn't submit direct deposit information to the IRS had to wait longer to receive the stimulus money through the mail. As of June, 120 million people received the stimulus money through direct deposit, 35 million through a check in the mail, and 4 million through a prepaid debit card. The IRS hasn't provided an update on how many people received a stimulus check by Aug. 1.
Video: Stimulus standoff on Capitol Hill
Banking status has affected payment speed since the CARES Act passed, disproportionately impacting Black people and people of color, according to an analysis (PDF) by think tank Urban Institute. People who are white and whose incomes were above the poverty line were more likely to have received their first stimulus check by the end of May than people who are Black, Hispanic or below the poverty line, the analysis found.
People who did not make enough money to be required to file federal income tax returns in 2018 or 2019 also would not get a stimulus check unless they submitted a form to the IRS, according to a report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. This group includes low-income families with children and a far greater number of Black people and people of color.
When's the last date you could get the new stimulus check?
Once again, the schedule for the first stimulus checks can provide a potential roadmap, though there's no official news until another rescue package is finalized.
The IRS will have sent about 200 million checks by the time it's done distributing the first raft of payments. (The total US population is over 330 million people, according to the Census Bureau.)
The majority of those were sent by the beginning of June, though the IRS said it will continue to send payments through the end of the year.
coronavirus-businesses-9856
US workers are experiencing a staggeringly high unemployment rate.
Angela Lang/CNET
How you can get more help
If you're still waiting on the first round of coronavirus payments, you can track the status of your stimulus check, learn how to report your no-show check to the IRS and find possible reasons why your stimulus check still hasn't arrived.
Here are even more resources about coronavirus hardship loans and unemployment insurance, what you can do if you've lost your job, what to know about evictions and late car payments, i
The IRS could send your second stimulus check sooner than you think. What you need to know
The White House plans to send the second stimulus payment faster than it did with the first check. We worked out some possible dates when you could get it.
Sarah Tew/CNET
With less than two days remaining to reach an agreement on the next stimulus package before a self-imposed Aug. 7 deadline, White House and Democratic negotiators continue to search for common ground on the details of the bill, including if the final legislation will include a second stimulus check. How soon you could then receive that new payment depends entirely on when the two sides come together on a deal.
While negotiators are hopeful they will reach an agreement this week -- "I feel optimistic that there is a light at the end of the tunnel," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Wednesday -- President Donald Trump said he is prepared to act on his own to enact parts of the proposed bill if talks drag on.
Once the two sides do reach an agreement, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the IRS could "start printing them the following week." This timeline would be much faster than the 19 days it took for the IRS to send out the first stimulus checks after the CARES Act was passed in March.
Working with the dates, we have a good idea when checks could be sent and who might receive them first, once the final bill becomes law. Read on for everything we know right now, based on the present debate. This story is updated often to reflect the latest news developments.
CNET CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
Keep track of the coronavirus pandemic.
Add your email
SIGN ME UP!
By signing up, you agree to the CBS Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
How soon the IRS could send the second stimulus checks
There are several scenarios that could play out. Though looking unlikely, a bill could pass by Aug. 7. It could also pass the week of Aug. 10 if the House and Senate extend the length of their current session. It could also -- and this appears far less likely -- Congress could adjourn this Friday with no resolution and wait until the start of the new session on Sept. 8 to pick up the topic again.
Whenever it does pass, Mnuchin's promise of sending the first checks a week later gives us a new timeline to work from in forecasting when the first people could get their checks. For reference, we also include the dates followed by the CARES Act.
Keep reading for who could get their payment first.
When could the second stimulus checks go out?
Date passed by Senate
March 25
Date passed by House
March 26
Date signed
March 27
First checks sent
April 15
Original CARES Act
Monday August 10
If Senate passes
August 11
If House passes
Wednesday August 12
If President signs First checks could be sent
Thursday Aug 13
Final negotiated bill
Week of August 17
Following schedule
Thursday, Aug. 13
Friday, Aug. 14
Monday, Aug. 17
Week of Aug. 24
Monday, Sept. 8
Tuesday, Sept. 9
Wednesday, Sept. 10
Week of Sept. 21
Who could get their stimulus check first?
It's likely the IRS would use roughly the same calculations and tools for sending out the second stimulus check as it did for the first one, including the IRS Get My Payment tool for tracking your stimulus check payment and signing up for direct deposit.
The IRS sent the first batch of stimulus checks to people who had filed 2018 or 2019 tax returns and had already provided the IRS with their direct deposit information, according to the House Committee on Ways and Means. Following that model, the next stimulus payment could first reach people who have already registered for direct deposit, either as part of their 2019 tax filing or before.
The next group were Social Security beneficiaries who had direct deposit information on file with federal agencies. (About 80 million people got their checks through direct deposit in the first week they were disbursed, according to the IRS.)
Paper checks didn't start getting mailed out until about a week later, to people who had not signed up for direct deposit, but you could still register for the electronic bank transfer as late as May 13. The first Economic Impact Payment debit cards, which are prepaid, were sent in mid-May to about 4 million people.
stimulus check in us mail envelope cash money 2020013
Another check for up to $1,200 could find its way into your bank account.
Sarah Tew/CNET
How your stimulus check could arrive later than other people's
We won't know for sure until a new bill is passed and the IRS forms a plan to send out checks, but here are points to consider.
Changes to aid for dependents: This depends on which version of the bill passes. The CARES Act allotted $500 for dependents age 16 and under. The Republican-backed HEALS Act also allocates $500 for dependents, of any age. But the Democrat-backed HEROES Act suggests $1,200 for a maximum of three dependents. If a change is made, even if it ultimately leads to more money being sent, it could require the IRS to adjust its accounting system, which could potentially slow things down for you.
Banking status: With the first checks, people who didn't submit direct deposit information to the IRS had to wait longer to receive the stimulus money through the mail. As of June, 120 million people received the stimulus money through direct deposit, 35 million through a check in the mail, and 4 million through a prepaid debit card. The IRS hasn't provided an update on how many people received a stimulus check by Aug. 1.
Video: Stimulus standoff on Capitol Hill
Banking status has affected payment speed since the CARES Act passed, disproportionately impacting Black people and people of color, according to an analysis (PDF) by think tank Urban Institute. People who are white and whose incomes were above the poverty line were more likely to have received their first stimulus check by the end of May than people who are Black, Hispanic or below the poverty line, the analysis found.
People who did not make enough money to be required to file federal income tax returns in 2018 or 2019 also would not get a stimulus check unless they submitted a form to the IRS, according to a report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. This group includes low-income families with children and a far greater number of Black people and people of color.
When's the last date you could get the new stimulus check?
Once again, the schedule for the first stimulus checks can provide a potential roadmap, though there's no official news until another rescue package is finalized.
The IRS will have sent about 200 million checks by the time it's done distributing the first raft of payments.
The total US population is over 330 million people, according to the Census Bureau.)
