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Fourth stimulus check and own payments update by state: how's the situation in every one?
Despite the chances of a fourth stimulus being next to none, individual states have been organizing their own payments to keep people afloat.
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.
Arizona
The state does not have a true stimulus, but a Back to Work Program was giving $2,000 for those who find full-time work. This is due to the thousands of vacant jobs in the state, part of the record more than 10 million available in the US right now.
This scheme ended on September 6, but if you joined the workforce between May 13, 2021, and September 6, 2021, then use the portal here to access the funds if you are eligible.
California
California is one of the few states that have started their own true stimulus checks. Now on their second edition, Golden State Stimulus II, residents can receive a $600 payment if they are making less than $75,000 a year. In February, the governor signed a law that allowed for the sending of $600 checks to low-income individuals and non-citizens who were unable to receive federal stimulus checks.
Colorado
Colorado's residents who received at least one unemployment benefits payment between March 15, 2020, and October 24, 2020, will receive $375.
“I direct the Unemployment Insurance Division within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) to make one-time direct stimulus payments of $375 to all qualifying individuals experiencing economic hardships caused by covid-19 in Colorado,” Governor Jared Polis said in his executive order.
Connecticut
Announced on May 17, 2021, governor Ned Lamont attempted to incentivize the long-term unemployed with a tempting $1,000 bonus for joining the workforce.
There are currently no new applicants being accepted, so if you are yet to apply then you are out of luck.
Florida
A bill passed by the Florida legislature earlier this year will allocate more than $400 million to send “thank-you” bonuses to teachers, firefighters, police officers, and other first responders. Most recipients are expected to receive a $1,000 check. This was at the expense of a permanent pay rise.
For teachers specifically, the checks are being sent to 3,600 public school principals and nearly 180,000 full-time classroom teachers. The law passed, but it leaves out critical school personal such as counselors and other support staff.
Georgia
Teachers will be eligible to receive $1,000 but those that work part-time will only be able to receive half of this.
Michigan
Earlier this year, Michigan distributed a $500 hazard pay bonus to teachers in the state. The MI Classroom Heroes Grants also sent $250 to school staff and, in total, cost the state around $73 million.
New Jersey
New Jersey residents with children are eligible for up to $500 in new tax rebates. However, if you only pay $100 in tax that is the maximum you can receive.
Around 764,000 people are eligible for an estimated average of $425.
New Mexico
In August, New Mexico’s state government announced that low-income residents, who were unable to receive federal stimulus checks, would be eligible for a $750 direct payment. When making the announcement, the Human Services Department said that the payments would go out to 4,000 residents and cost around $5 million.
New York
New York, meanwhile, has a $2.1 billion Excluded Workers Fund to be claimed by those who weren’t eligible for unemployment benefits, including undocumented workers. To be eligible for the payment, New York residents must have a 2020 income under $26,208.
In addition, local artists in New York City will also receive help in the form of a $5,000 check in October.
Oklahoma
Up to 1,300 college students in the state working as teachers will be paid for the first time during the pandemic. Usually the job is unpaid, but there is a lack of teachers in the state and numbers are needed to get the state moving again in 2022.
The money is worth a $3,250 stipend.
Tennessee
Named bill SB1358, it doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, the law provides all school-based employees of an LEA during the 2020-2021 school year with a one-time hazard pay bonus of $1,000 for full-time employees and $500 for part-time employees.
Texas
In Texas, the Denton Irving district approved a measure that will send a $500 retention bonus, while in Irving, a $2,000 payment will be distributed to staff returning to the classroom this year.
There are no current plans for more payments in: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.