Fourth stimulus check news summary: 11 October
Stimulus checks live updates
Headlines
- States are organizing their own covid-19 payments, including stimulus and hazard checks.
- Medicareopen enrollment is just days away.
-Calls for a fourth stimulus check for those on Social Security grow.
- Social Security recipients begin to the worry that theupcoming fight over the debt ceilingcould threaten their payments.
- Could a fourth federal stimulus check still happen this year?
- $480bn temporary debt increase approved by US Senate.
- Only 194,000 new jobs created in the US September, despite end of extra unemployment benefits.
Useful Information/Links
Fourth federal stimulus check
- How will September's unemployment rate affect the chances of a fourth stimulus check?
Social Security and Medicare
- How does the debt ceiling deal affect Social Security payments?
- How to seek Social Security benefitsif you aren't a US citizen.
- At what age is Social Security no longer taxed in the US?
- What are the numbers on the back of my Social Security card?
- What are the 2022 Medicare premiums?
Unemployment
- What is frictional unemployment?
California Golden State Stimulus checks
-How many more Golden State Stimulus payments are still to be sent?
-When will the payments arrive and who qualifies?
Have a look at some of our related news articles:
Biden in climate conference race
President Biden is facing pressure to get major infrastructure legislation across the finish line ahead of a global climate summit this month, reports The Hill.
Congress is currently working through both a bipartisan infrastructure bill that includes investments in an electric vehicle charging network and public transit and a Democrat-only “social infrastructure bill” that would spend heavily on clean energy.
Summit participants are keeping a particularly close eye on the Democratic measure, which has much greater potential to deliver the kind of emissions cuts Biden has promised.
How has Social Security COLA increased over the last 10 years?
With a record COLA expected to be announced for 2022 in the coming days, how has the Cost-Of-Living-Adjustment changed over the past decade?
When does medicare open enrollment begin? What is the deadline and how do I enroll?
Medicare enrollment begins on 15 October, and those interested in signing up are given until 7 December. During this time, beneficiaries will have the chance to select Medicare Advantage Plan or a prescription drug plan (Part D) in addition to the standard Medicare Plan, which includes Parts A and B.
Fourth stimulus check and own payments update by state: how's the situation in every one?
Some states are continuing with payments for those in and out of work this year. There has already been three proper stimulus checks sent out in the 18 months, and only really California can afford to keep up a similar plan.
These are not all stimulus checks in the way the previous three were, but represent payments sent by state governments to its citizens. Many of them are related to the resumption of in-school teaching, or they are extra support for people rejoining the workforce. Stimulus in terms of stimulating the return to the workplace after the confinements and tribulations of the pandemic.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance in California: how to apply and deadline
People who lost work as a result of the wildfires that ripped through California this summer have an extended period to claim extra assistance.
During the visit, discussions about the Build Back Better reconciliation legislation continued late into the nights. In order to pass both the Build Back Better Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill on time, it is essential that difficult decisions must be made very soon.
Overwhelmingly, the guidance I am receiving from Members is to do fewer things well so that we can still have a transformative impact on families in the workplace and responsibly address the climate crisis: a Build Back Better agenda for jobs and the planet For The Children!
What are the three types of Social Security benefits available?
The Social Security was established with the passage of Social Security Act of 1935 when the effects of the Great Depression laid bare the inadequacies of the patchwork of local, state and family networks to care for the elderly.
The legislation passed by Congress and signed by Franklin D Roosevelt created much more than a federal support system for the elderly. The bill included unemployment insurance, benefits for victims of industrial accidents and aid for their survivors, as well as financial support for the blind and the physically handicapped.
Democrat spending bill would help families with childcare
Democrats are negotiating among themselves the price tag of their spending bill with one side pushing for $3.5 trillion over ten years and the other $1.5 trillion. To reach an agreement they will need to decide whether to cut proposals or reduce the length of time those proposals are in place to bring down the final top line number.
One of the measures they all agree on is providing more access to childcare for working families, which is out of reach for many due to the high cost. The cost of providing childcare services many times is beyond the price that families can afford. Despite the high cost to parents, those working in the industry are paid wages that border on the poverty line. The centers can't afford to raise wages because due to the labor intensive nature of the work half of the cost of services goes toward wages.
The Treasury Department reproted that the average cost of childcare for families is $10,000 per child per year, while on average teachers earn just $24,000, half of whom receive some form of public assistance due to the low earnings.
Those studying higher education could be eligible for $30,000
Every year students and families across the US miss out on receiving funds from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) because they apply late. The $150 billion fund provides up to $30,000 in student aid to those studying or planning to study at an institution of higher education.
Applications are being accepted for the 2021-2022 academic year and for the 2022-2023 academic year. The sooner you file the better.
Means testing Medicare expasion is the wrong move
Part of the Democrats' go it alone "human" infrastructure bill would expand Medicare access to dental, hearing and vision. However there are calls from parts of those industries and centrists in Congress to limit access through means testing. Max Richtman, president and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare in Washington DC, argues this is the wrong approach.
In nutshell, limiting access will in the end be more costly to Medicare through increased health complications resulting from seniors living on fixed incomes forgoing necessary treatments to be able to eat properly, see and hear well to avoid accidents. Service providers would benefit despite potentially lower fees from additional business.
"Medicare beneficiaries with incomes exceeding $39,000 per year should not be locked out of new benefits because some members of Congress see only figures on a ledger rather than seniors in genuine need," Max Richtman.
Will Biden have infrastructure bills in hand at Glasgow COP26?
COP26 is this year's key climate conference and is being held in Glasgow, Scotland. Summit participants are keeping a particularly close eye on the progress of the two infrastructure bills in the US Congress that have meaures in them to help the US get closer to meeting its carbon reduction targets.
The bipartisan infrastructure bill, which needs to pass the House to be enacted, includes investments in an electric vehicle charging network and public transit. While a second complementary proposal, a Democrat-only “social infrastructure bill”, would spend heavily on clean energy.
The Democratic measure has much greater potential to deliver the kind of emissions cuts Biden has promised. Tucked into the bill are tax incentives to encourage clean energy production and incentives to use that clean energy and transition to elctric vehicles. The goal is to make the US electric grid 100 percent carbon-free by 2035.
Senator Jacky Rosen hails Child Tax Credit Scheme
Las Vegas Democratic Senator Jacky Rosen has hailed the impact of the child tax credit scheme, calling it a "win-win" for families and businesses.
"The expanded Child Tax Credit is delivering results: tax cuts for parents, fewer children living in poverty, and more money going into Nevada's small businesses and our economy. It's a win-win made possible by the American Rescue Plan," she tweeted, sharing an article from the Nevada Independenton why the CTC could be good for state business.
Heather Gardner calls out Republicans over infrastructure bill
TV host Heather Gardner has called out Republican hypocrisy over their criticism of transport secretary Pete Buttigieg (aka 'Mayor Pete').
"Republicans railing against Mayor Pete for decades of infrastructure failures while at the same time refusing to pass the infrastructure bill to solve these problems…"
How does the debt ceiling deal affect Social Security payments?
Lawmakers in Washington have agreed to a short-term increase of the debt ceiling postponing the need for the US Treasury to decide who gets paid. But that agreement only gives a matter of weeks breathing space.
If a longer-term solution is not achieved before 3 December, the estimated date the US Treasury won’t be able to meet all its financial obligations, then questions about what payments the US government can make come into play.
Child Tax Credit third payment coming Friday
Recipients can claim up to $1,800 per child under six this year, split into the six payments. For recipients with children between six and 17 then they can receive $1,500 per child.
Three payments have been sent so far; July, August and September, with the next due in just four days on October 15.
Fourth stimulus check and own payments update by state: how's the situation in every one?
Some states are continuing with payments for those in and out of work this year. There has already been three proper stimulus checks sent out in the 18 months, and only really California can afford to keep up a similar plan.
These are not all stimulus checks in the way the previous three were, but represent payments sent by state governments to its citizens. Many of them are related to the resumption of in-school teaching, or they are extra support for people rejoining the workforce. Stimulus in terms of stimulating the return to the workplace after the confinements and tribulations of the pandemic.
The whole world is watching. If these bills don’t come to pass, then the US will be coming to Glasgow with some fine words but not much else. It won’t be enough.
Each time you let these opportunities slip through your fingers, you’re passing a much harder problem on to the next generation. It’s a very hard thing to swallow that we are relegating children born today and not yet born to a future of dangerous climate impacts.
If [Build Back Better] came to pass, it would easily be the biggest thing Congress has ever done on climate. Getting halfway there in just one bill would be huge.
Some comments from lawmakers about the two bills in Congress
The US could be facing an embarrassing time at the COP26 climate talks next month, if they fail to pass any climate legislation in nearly a year of Biden's presidency, warn Democrats and scientists. Both the infrastructure and reconciliation bills include provisions for dealing with the climate crisis.
Their comments can be found above.
How has the expiration of additional unemployment benefits affected the employment rate?
The September jobs report was released on Friday and, as was the case, in August, fell well short of expectations and offered further evidence to suggest that the United States’ economic recovery is slowing.
Overall just 194,000 new payrolls were added in September according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Furthermore, the Labor Force, the number of employed individuals and people actively looking for a job, fell by 183,000, suggesting that some were beginning to lose faith in the hope of finding a job.
The September job report is the first major evidence of the effect that the additional unemployment benefits had on unemployment in the US, and undermines claims that the boosted support was hampering employment figures.
Last chance to receive first or second stimulus payments
The October 15 tax extension deadline is quickly approaching, being one of the last opportunities to apply for the 2020 stimulus checks, if you have not done so already.
Taxpayers who didn’t receive the first two stimulus checks, or who received less than they should have, can claim a so-called Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2020 returns.
Eligible individuals can claim the credit on line 30 of Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR. Tax software should allow users to claim the stimulus check funds, but you will need to know how much you already received from the IRS. This can be found via bank statements for the deposit amount, or via your IRS online account.
Biden under pressure to get infrastructure bill passed before COP26
Congress is currently working through both a bipartisan infrastructure bill that includes investments in an electric vehicle charging network and public transit and a Democrat-only “social infrastructure bill” that would spend heavily on clean energy.
COP26 is this year's key climate conference and is being held in Glasgow, Scotland. Summit participants are keeping a particularly close eye on the Democratic measure, which has much greater potential to deliver the kind of emissions cuts Biden has promised. Under President Trump the US pulled back on many of its climate commitments, including sensationally leaving the Paris climate treaty, joining other world heavyweights such as Iran and Iraq.
At what age is Social Security no longer taxed in the US?
The vast majority of Americans will be required to pay tax on at least part of their Social Security payments, sometimes as much as 85% of the benefits if their total income exceeds certain thresholds.
However once you are at full retirement age (between 65 and 67 years old, depending on your year of birth) you will no longer be taxed on Social Security payments. The size of your annual Social Security entitlement continues to grow up to the age of 70, so you may want to consider delaying your claim for a few years if you intend to continue working past the normal retirement age.
Virginia gubernatorial candidate: "Get in a room and get this figured out."
Candidate for the governor of Virginia, Terry McAuliffe was speaking to CNN, listing his frustrations with the Democrats in Washington as the infrastructure bill is still not passed.
"We are facing a lot of headwinds from Washington. As you know the president is unpopular today here in Virginia, so we have got to plow through," he said.
"The frustration is [why isn't the infrastructure bill] done now."
$1400 stimulus check to social security recipients: the proposal and who supports it
Each month, the average Social Security beneficiary receives a check for around $1,500. While some retirees have access to a private retirement account, like a Roth IRA, a large portion rely solely on Social Security. This means that when a crisis like the pandemic hits, inflation and other economic impacts can take a devastating toll on their disposable income. Since beneficiaries over a certain age are not allowed to work and receive benefits, their income is fixed. Without government action, they can be left in a rather vulnerable position.
Over the last year, prices of basic goods have increased rapidly. Consumers have paid higher prices across the board as the economy reopened and supply chains destroyed by the pandemic were reconstructed.
Last month the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that over the previous year, the Consumer Price Index for “all items index increased 5.3 percent before seasonal adjustment.” For food, people are on average paying 3 percent more than they were a year ago, and for many other goods, the trends are just as worrisome.
Americans divided on value of Build Back Better plan
A new CBS poll shows that majority of Americans, 54 percent are in favor of the Build Back Better plan President Biden is trying to get through Congress. Unfortunately for the administration, and Democrats in Congress that are negotiating details, the American public doesn't seem to know all that is in the sweeping proposals.
41 percent think the proposals will help the economy and fewer, 31 percent, think it will help them personally. Just under 30 percent of respondents didn't know what was in the plan at all. Biden is on a whistle-stop tour of the US in the coming weeks to drum up support for the plans.
Cuts to Build Back Better plan expected
Lawmakers in Congress are preparing to consider big cuts to the emergency $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill designed to fight the climate apocalypse and provide a safety net to struggling Americans. At the same time, legislators are advancing a defense spending plan that would put America on track to spend more than twice as much on the Pentagon in the same time period.
Democrats are still unable to reconcile with the right and left wings of the party. The right wants the package to be smaller while the left wants increased public spending.
Fourth stimulus check: which states are making cash payments?
The number of jobs added to the US economy in August and September fell far from expectations, worrying some that the economic recovery could be slowing down.
Additionally, in early September, federal pandemic-related unemployment programs ended, leaving millions without an income, just as the Supreme Court struck down the White House’s eviction moratorium.
With a fourth federal stimulus check out of sight, some states have taken it upon themselves to send a direct payment to their residents. However, unlike the federal payments, many states have opted to send the checks to particular groups, in some cases limiting the number of recipients by income or profession.
Welcome to our stimulus checks and Child Tax Credit live feed
Hello and welcome to our live blog for Monday 11 October 2021, bringing you the latest updates on a possible fourth federal stimulus check in the United States, and other, similar payments being sent out at state level. We'll also be focusing on subjects such as the Child Tax Credit, which has so far seen three monthly payments of up to $300 per child go out to eligible households.