Third stimulus check: when will the second batch of payments arrive?

The second batch of third-stimulus-check payments is due to reach direct-deposit recipients today, Wednesday 24 March, according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

The money may already have appeared in bank accounts in recent days as a "provisional or pending deposit", the IRS said in a statement announcing the latest stimulus-check payment run on Monday.

Many stimulus checks also sent out by mail

Americans who do not get a direct deposit by Wednesday should keep an eye out for a payment arriving by regular mail "in the coming weeks", the agency added.

"A large number of this latest batch of payments will also be mailed," the IRS said, "so taxpayers who do not receive a direct deposit by March 24 should watch the mail carefully in the coming weeks for a paper check or a prepaid debit card, known as an Economic Impact Payment Card, or EIP Card."

100 million third stimulus checks distributed - President Biden

After Wednesday, 100 million stimulus checks will have been distributed as part of Joe Biden's $1.9tn coronavirus relief bill, the president said on Tuesday during an address in Columbus, Ohio, as part of his ‘Help is Here’ tour across the US to promote the benefits of the relief package.

Further third-stimulus-check payment runs are expected "on a weekly basis going forward", the IRS says.

Stimulus checks to go out to around 160m American households

In all, almost 160 million households in the US are due to receive a stimulus check under the American Rescue Plan, which President Biden signed into law on 11 March. The IRS began sending out the first batch of these checks the following day.

The scheme sees qualifying individuals get up to $1,400, with couples who file taxes jointly receiving a maximum of $2,800. The full figure is being paid out to individuals earning under $75,000 and joint filers with a combined income below $150,000, while smaller payments are available to higher earners on up to $80,000/$160,000.

Households with dependents of any age also qualify for an additional $1,400 per dependent. In the first two rounds of stimulus checks - which were included in covid-19 relief bills passed last year in March and December, respectively - only dependents aged 16 or under were eligible.

Third stimulus check: latest updates

You can get the latest information on the third stimulus check, and updates on the possibility of a fourth direct payment, by following our dedicated live blog.

You'll also find news on other provisions in Biden’s economic-aid package, such as an enhanced child tax credit that offers qualifying families up to $3,000 per child aged six to 17, and $3,600 per child below six.