Columbus Day: can I get stimulus check in the mail today?

It's now unlikely that a new stimulus bill will be approved before election day November 3, where Donald Trump is seeking reelection against his challenger, Joe Biden.

But what if you’ve not received the first check yet and it's due to arrive in the post? Will it arrive today on Columbus Day?

Unfortunately the short answer is no. US Post offices are closed on Monday. This means that there won't be any residential or business deliveries except Holiday Premium/Priority Mail Express. Regular mail delivery and collections resume Tuesday.

When’s the earliest a new round of stimulus bills could be sent?

With two votes (one in the House and one in the Senate) and a signature from President Trump necessary to turn the bill into law, it’s a bit of a lengthy process. What's more there are only certain days in the week that each section of government can vote.

The earliest estimate is that if Congress pass a bill by October 27, the first direct deposits could be sent the week of November 16 and the first paper checks could be sent the week of November 30.

The next possible dates would be that the bill passes on November 23 in the House, with the president having signed on December 1 after a successful vote in the Senate. In this case, direct deposit checks would be sent the week of December 14 and the week after paper checks would be sent out.

The following week December 7 is the last possible start date for voting in the House and then the Senate, before the Christmas holidays begin. Beyond that, the dates for votes to pass in Congress begin again on February 1.

Here’s some more info on what’s open and what’s not today, Indigenous People’s Day / Columbus Day.

Most banks are closed

But the American National Bank and TD Bank remain open.

Is the stock market open?

Yes, the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ are operating business as usual.

What about state and federal buildings?

Columbus day is a federal government holiday and so city, state and federal offices are closed. County offices are open but courts are closed.

Are grocery stores and supermarkets open Columbus Day?

Yes, all major retailers are open normal hours on Columbus Day.

What are we celebrating on Columbus Day?

The holiday is always observed on the second Monday in October.

Columbus Day celebrates the "discovery" of modern America by Italian explorer Christopher Columbus. Today, the holiday is celebrated alongside Indigenous People’s Day,  some states have officially changed the name of the day to this title to reflect controversy surrounding the assumption that America was unpopulated until October 12, 1492.

See our dedicated articles on how find out whether inmates and prisoners can get stimulus checks, and whether you will pay tax on your stimulus.