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Fourth stimulus check updates | 5 December

Update:
US President Joe Biden speaks to the press before boarding Marine One as he departs the White House in Washington, DC, on December 3, 2021. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)

US stimulus checks: live updates

If you are an immigrant, you may be worried about how the Child Tax Credit could affect your status in the US.

Using credits should not be a factor when applying for a green card.

Child Tax Credits have been helping a lot of immigrant families, but a study shows that some have been left out as well.

The Child Tax Credit is being hailed as a smart investment for the government.

One of the programs of the US Government's Build Back Better package is said to have the potential to alleviate the country's poverty levels.

The monthly Child Tax Credit check set to be released this month could be the last, pending Congress action.

What is the natural rate of unemployment formula?

COVID-19

What is the natural rate of unemployment formula?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported Friday 3 December, that the national unemployment rate fell from 4.8 to 4.2 percent in November. The economy added around 210,000 jobs during the month, bringing the total number of jobs created to 18.5 million since April 2020.

The agency also reported that the unemployment rate for "adult men and women, Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics" fell last month.

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What is an unrestricted Social Security card? How can I apply for it?

SOCIAL SECURITY

What is an unrestricted Social Security card? How can I apply for it?

Your Social Security number is used to identify and accurately record your employment and earnings history and enables you to claim from a variety of benefits programmes.

In most instances simply knowing your number is enough to get a job or take advantage of a government programme, but you should also have been issued with a Social Security card. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has three types of card that it gives to recipients, two of which have certain work restrictions.

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Today’s news means that the unemployment rate has now fallen by more than two percentage points since I took office.  That’s the fastest decline in a single year on record.  And it’s about three times faster than any other President in their first year in office. 
 
The number of people claiming unemployment has fallen from 18 million when I took office, to 2 million this week.  Another record drop.   
 
We’ve also learned today that in November, 235,000 jobs were created in the private sector.  And when they went back and recalibrated, they found — the last two months — they found that job growth over the prior two months, September and October, actually created 82,000 more jobs than had previously been reported — which means that we’ve averaged nearly 400,000 new jobs a month over the last three months.  A solid pace.

Joseph Biden, President of the United States

What is inflation?

In the United States and around the world, everyone is talking about inflation. The International Monetary Fund has published a new video about the causes of the current increases in inflation, how much inflation is valuable, and what governments may to do to lower prices.

Is Amazon having issues with shipping and logistics?

No. Amazon has begun chartering their open charter ship to avoid pile ups at ports. This year, other retailers are trying to move.

However, this does not mean that prices for consumers have stayed low. Quite the opposite. Amazon customers are seeing prices up around 25 percnet on the site.

When does COLA 2022 take effect in Social Security Benefits? How to calculate your amount

Social Security

When does COLA 2022 take effect in Social Security Benefits? How to calculate your amount

The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced on 13 October that in 2022 those receiving benefits from the agency including Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, and more would see a 5.9 percent increase reflected in their check.

Later this month, the Social Security Administration will send beneficiaries a latter desalinating the exact increases they will see reflected in their benefit amounts. For those looking for a guide on how to calculate their benefits, read our full coverage.

When does the Medicare open enrollment period end?

The enrollment period which began on 15 October will end on 7 December. Medicare.gov provides seniors various tools to compare plans avaiable to them in their area.

How many jobs were added to the economy in November?

The US economy added 210,000 jobs in November, less than half of what were added in November. Labor force participation increased .02 percent from 61.6 to 61.8 percent. The Wall Street Journal reported that this boost could be a result of increased wages that are attracking workers.

"What does passing the Build Back Better Act mean? For millions of American families, it means the bills you're paying right now for daycare could be capped at 7% of your income. It means the cost of your prescription drugs and care for your elder parents will be cheaper.

Our infrastructure used to be rated the best in the world—that’s not hyperbole. But now we rank 13th in the world for the quality of our infrastructure. With our infrastructure law, we're turning things around in a big way. And that starts with our roads and bridges.

Joe Biden, US President
How much were the first, second and third stimulus checks and when were they sent out?

Stimulus Checks

How much were the first, second and third stimulus checks and when were they sent out?

The lowdown on the three stimulus checks sent out so far by the US federal government during the coronavirus pandemic.

Social Security COLA 2022: how much is the increase on benefits?

Social Security

Social Security COLA 2022: how much is the increase on benefits?

In October the Social Security Administration announced a historic cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of 5.9 percent that will be applied to benefits for 2022. The increase makes history as the highest offered to seniors in over forty years and is mostly a result of higher than normal inflation brought on by multiple factors resulting from the covid-19 pandemic.

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Can a fourth stimulus check payment happen in December 2021?

CORONAVIRUS STIMULUS CHECKS

Can a fourth stimulus check payment happen in December 2021?

Congress is close to passing President Biden's Build Back Better legislative agenda, but does the package include another round of direct payments?

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Stimulus checks live updates: welcome

Good morning and welcome to our live blog for Sunday 5 December 2021, in which we'll be providing you with live updates on President Biden's Build Back Better bill, plus news on a possible fourth stimulus check in the US. We'll also bring you the latest on the Child Tax Credit, whose final payment in 2021 is due to go out on the 15th, plus information on unemployment and Social Security benefits.