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Coronavirus | USA

Where can I cash my stimulus check payment for free?

There are two principal ways to receive your stimulus check, it can be deposited directly into your bank account, or you can receive a paper check in the mail.

Shelves are left empty at a Kroger-owned Ralphs store after it sold out of toilet paper in Los Angeles, California, U.S., April 2, 2020. Picture taken April 2, 2020.  REUTERS/Lisa Baertlein
LISA BAERTLEINREUTERS

There are two main options available to recipients of the paper stimulus check. It can be cashed immediately or deposited via an existing bank account.

Many of the 88 million recipients of the IRS Economic Impact Payment may not possess an active bank account but alternatives are available with even the possibility to avoid a check cashing fee.

PayPal

PayPal is temporarily waiving its check cashing fee which is normally 1% for government checks. This fee waiver is for stimulus checks, tax refunds and pre-printed payroll checks. Each check has to be $5,000 or less to cash with PayPal.

Cashing your check with PayPal can be the easiest option as you can cash it from home. You only need a smartphone with a functioning camera and the PayPal app (iOS or Android).

Kroger

Forbes also claim that the Kroger KR family of supermarkets with a Money Services desk will cash your stimulus check for free with the following brands offering a fee free service for the checks: Kroger, Fry’s, King Sooper’s, Smith’s, City Market, QFC, Ralph’s, Gerbes, Bakers, Dillons, Pay Less, Fred Meyer, Pick ‘N Save and Metro Market and these stores will accept a limit of $5,000.

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