Coronavirus US: Economic stimulus checks – who qualifies for them and who doesn’t?
The US government’s Inland Revenue Service started issuing economic stimulus checks last week but who qualifies to receive them and who doesn’t?
The US government’s Inland Revenue Service (IRS) sent out the first wave of paper stimulus checks last week to alleviate some of the financial strain for those who have been affected by the downturn in the economy due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Millions of tax-paying Americans will receive checks of up to 1,200 dollars - either physical paper checks or direct deposits into their bank account to help them through hardship during the crisis. Close to a million people have tested positive for Covid-19 in the United States alone – almost half the global total.
Some people do not qualify to receive benefits
However, not everyone will be fortunate to receive financial help from the government. While approximately 90% of American citizens are eligible for benefits, there is a small sector who do not qualify under the terms of the 2.2 billion dollar stimulus package.
According to US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, the stimulus checks will be distributed to those who meet the following criteria:
Who doesn’t qualify for stimulus checks?
Dependents
Those who are not registered or up-to-date with tax payments
The government also made it clear that anyone who didn’t declare income and tax during 2018 or 2019, or has outstanding tax discrepancies, will not be able to receive a stimulus check.
Undocumented illegal aliens
Also excluded from the government’s economic stimulus plan are those who do not possess the required authorisation and relevant documentation to be able to work in the United States such as a permanent resident card, an alien registration receipt card or ‘Green Card’.