MONTANA GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES END TO FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT IN HIS STATE

Governor Greg Gianforte announced last week that Montana is ending its participation in federal pandemic-related unemployment benefit programs.

“Montana is open for business again, but I hear from too many employers throughout our state who can’t find workers. Nearly every sector in our economy faces a labor shortage,” Gov Gianforte said in a statement.

“Our return-to-work bonus and the return to pre-pandemic unemployment programs will help get more Montanans back to work.”

TWO-THIRDS OF CALIFORNIANS TO BENEFIT FROM GOLDEN STATE STIMULUS PLAN EXPANSION

Governor Gavin Newsom said California will send stimulus checks to many of its residents in an expansion of the “Golden State Stimulus” plan in an announcement he made Monday.

“We’re announcing a $12 billion tax rebate to the people of the state of California earning up to $75,000,” Newsom said at a press conference.

“Let me put that into perspective. That tax rebate will impact just shy of 80 percent of all tax filers, will get a direct stimulus check, will get a direct relief payment because of this announcement,” he said.

“Two-thirds of all Californians will benefit from this stimulus. That’s roughly $12 billion.”

HOW MUCH WILL CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS RECEIVE IN NEW STIMULUS PLAN?

Gov Gavin Newsom said California will send stimulus checks to two-thirds of its residents in an expansion of the “Golden State Stimulus” plan in an announcement made Monday.

Qualifying residents will receive a one-time stimulus payment of $600 or $1,200.

Additionally, families with kids will receive another $500.

HUNGER RATES DOWN AFTER TWO ROUNDS OF STIMULUS PAYMENTS

The percentage of Americans struggling with hunger is now at its lowest level since the pandemic started after two rounds of relief payments.

Data released by the U.S. Census Bureau this week shows the percentage of adults living in households that sometimes or often did not have enough to eat dropped to a little over 8 percent late last month, down from almost 11 percent in March, Politico reported.

The dip comes after billions of dollars in stimulus money went out to many eligible Americans.

TWO-THIRDS OF CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS WILL RECEIVE STIMULUS CHECKS AFTER PROGRAM EXPANSION

Gov Gavin Newsom of California said the state will send stimulus checks to two-thirds of its residents in an expansion of the “Golden State Stimulus” plan.

Newsom said Monday that qualifying residents would receive a one-time stimulus payment of $600 or $1,200.

Families with kids will receive another $500.

“$$$ back in your pocket,” he tweeted alongside some alert light emoji.

“Two out of every 3 Californians will receive a check of at least $600 — and families with kids will receive another $500.”

SHEETZ ANNOUNCES ‘SUMMER STIMULUS PROGRAM’ FOR NEW HIRES

As Americans wait to see whether or not Congress and the Biden administration will approve a fourth stimulus, some companies are taking matters into their own hands and offering their own “stimulus” to employees.

Sheetz said Monday it’s raising the hourly wage for its 18,000 store workers an additional $2 per hour, and announced a $12 million investment in a “summer stimulus program.”

That program will offer store employees an additional $1 per hour wage increase from May 21 until Sept. 23, according to WTAE-TV.

“To attract and retain top talent, we know we need to continue to invest in our employees,” Sheetz President and Chief Operations Officer Travis Sheetz said in a news release.

“That investment includes more than just competitive wages.”

YOUR HEALTH INSURER COULD SEND YOU ANOTHER STIMULUS CHECK

Among the proposals in President Joe Biden‘s American Families Plan is the extension of the Obamacare subsidies, which was originally passed in March’s $1.9trillion American Rescue Plan.

Private insurance companies are expected to shell out $2.1billion in rebates to more than 10.7million policyholders this fall.

The average customer who bought health insurance on the individual market will receive a $299 cash rebate in the fall.

The cash rebates will arrive to customers because a number of insurance companies failed to meet the Affordable Care Act medical loss ratio threshold in 2020.

The threshold required insurers to spend at least 80 percent of premium revenues on health care claims or quality improvement activities.

PETITION CALLS FOR RECURRING $2,000 STIMULUS CHECKS

A Change.org petition urging more Covid relief money has more than 2 million signatures.

The petition was started last year by restaurant owner Stephanie Bonin and asks for “a $2,000 payment for adults and a $1,000 payment for kids immediately, and continuing regular checks for the duration of the crisis.”

“Congress needs to make sure that we won’t be financially ruined for doing our part to keep the country healthy,” she added.

WATCH: CALIFORNIA STIMULUS CHECKS WILL BENEFIT 2/3 OF RESIDENTS, SAYS GOVEROR GAVIN NEWSOM

FURTHER STIMULUS PAYMENTS WILL BE UP TO CONGRESS AND NOT THE PRESIDENT

During a press conference in early May, the White House Press Secretary noted that Congress will decide on any continuing rounds of stimulus payments.

“We’ll see what members of Congress propose, but those are not free,” Jen Psaki said.

She noted that the increased child tax credit is set to help countless families in the meantime.

“If passed, the families of tens of millions of children will continue to get regular payments,” she said.

“Obviously, we’re continuing to evaluate what their needs are — to continue to get the pandemic under control, put people back to work, but we think that’s a proposal with a long-term benefit.”

AMERICANS SHOULD TRY TO CLAIM STIMULUS PAYMENTS BEFORE MAY 17

Americans who have not received stimulus check payments should do so before the May 17 tax filing deadline.

People who are not normally required to file a federal tax return must do so in order to get the first or second payments as a refund.

The Internal Revenue Service has said that it has received 11 million 2020 returns as of April 15,

Check the IRS Get My Payment tool if you have not received any of your stimulus payments.

More than 570,000 Americans should be receiving a plus-up payment as part of stimulus relief.

You could be eligible if you didn’t qualify for the full payment based on your 2019 tax filings but do based on last year’s tax return.

If you haven’t filed your 2020 tax return but qualify for the plus-up payment, the IRS will send it after the filing and once your situation has been updated.

MORE THAN 75 LAWMAKERS SUPPORT MORE STIMULUS CHECKS

Over 75 lawmakers now support a further round of stimulus checks to help Americans financially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In January, Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and 55 other Democratic legislators called for recurring payments in a letter to President Biden.

“Recurring payments would provide a long-term lifeline to struggling Americans for the duration of this deadly pandemic,” the letter read.

DON’T CALL THE IRS IF YOUR CHECK IS DELAYED

Frankly, you won’t get an answer you can’t already find out online.

The IRS is urging those who still have yet to receive their stimulus checks to hold off on calling the agency considering their phone operators wouldn’t be able to give any more information that isn’t already available online.

The IRS website states: “Our phone assistors don’t have information beyond what’s available on IRS.gov.”

Americans should check the IRS Get My Payment tool – especially if you need to find out where your cash is.

CHANCES OF A FOURTH STIMULUS CHECK LOOKING LESS LIKELY

The likelihood of a fourth stimulus check hitting your bank account is looking less and less likely as the federal government is nearing an end regarding how much ample funds it house to dole out to Americans.

Plans to support a fourth stimulus check are looking less likely as the IRS spends another $2 billion to send checks to those who are eligible for the third round of stimulus payments.

However, there’s renewed hope Congress will approve another round of stimulus payments as part of Joe Biden’s next stimulus package.

More than 75 lawmakers now support a further round of stimulus checks, possibly with recurring monthly payments until the end of the pandemic.

INTERNET SEARCHES ABOUT A FOURTH STIMULUS CHECK JUMPED DURING BIDEN’S CONGRESS SPEECH

Americans are very interested in a fourth stimulus check.

Online searches for “Biden fourth stimulus” and other related terms jumped by 250 percent during President Joe Biden’s joint address to Congress, according to Newsweek.

A recent study found that a majority of Americans support recurring stimulus checks until the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

YOUR HEALTH INSURER COULD SEND YOU ANOTHER STIMULUS CHECK

Among the proposals in President Joe Biden‘s American Families Plan is the extension of the Obamacare subsidies, which was originally passed in March’s $1.9trillion American Rescue Plan.

Private insurance companies are expected to shell out $2.1billion in rebates to more than 10.7million policyholders this fall.

The average customer who bought health insurance on the individual market will receive a $299 cash rebate in the fall.

The cash rebates will arrive to customers because a number of insurance companies failed to meet the Affordable Care Act medical loss ratio threshold in 2020.

The threshold required insurers to spend at least 80 percent of premium revenues on health care claims or quality improvement activities.

FOR LATE TAX FILERS: FIRST $10,200 UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS ARE TAX FREE

People who were on unemployment in 2020 may be able to get a tax break this year.

If you received unemployment insurance benefits in the US in 2020 and paid taxes on the benefits, you may be eligible for an additional refund from the IRS.

The American Rescue Plan Act included a $10,200 tax exemption that gives people who paid on those benefits a tax break on the unemployment benefits they received, at least for federal taxes.

The IRS is set to refund money to people who filed their tax returns before the unemployment tax break changes in the Plan regarding the exempt UI taxes went into effect.

If you are owed money thanks to this tax exemption and due to having already completed your tax return, the IRS will send you the money automatically.

You do not need to file an amended return in order to get this potential refund.

HOMEOWNERS CAN GET OVER $3,000 IN MORTGAGE RELIEF

New homeowners can get more than $3,000-a-year in mortgage relief thanks to stimulus aid.

The Mortgage Stimulus Program is designed to help average US citizens as well as stimulate the economy.

Homeowners could get up to $307 a month, equivalent to $3,252 a year.

The money can go towards various expenses such as home improvements, remodels, debt or other bills.

Only single-family homes are eligible and apartments and mobile homes are excluded.

YOU COULD GET SOME EXTRA PLUS-UP PAYMENTS FOR FILING YOUR TAXES EARLY

Those who experienced a significant shift in income between filing taxes for this year and last could see a plus-up payment coming soon.

That is for a select few Americans who filed their taxes early.

According to the IRS, Americans who received a stimulus check based on their 2019 tax returns might be eligible for more money once their 2020 return has been processed.

The additional “plus-up payments” will be sent to those whose economic situations changed between 2019 and 2020.

If their newest tax filing shows a drop in annual income or a new child or dependent, then more money could be on the way.

CALLS FOR $2000 STIMULUS CHECK GETS BACKED BY OVER 75 LAWMAKERS

Joe Biden is under pressure to pass a $2,000 monthly stimulus check after over 75 lawmakers have signed a letter urging for more direct relief to Americans.

The politicians believe that the one-time $1,400 stimulus check, provided by President Biden, is not enough for those struggling during the pandemic.

Back in January, Representative Ilhan Omar and 55 other Democrats sent a letter to Biden urging for him to support ongoing stimulus checks.

However, the president does not appear to back recurring payments, and there are not enough members of Congress that would vote to pass such a bill.

But, Congress could still vote to add additional stimulus checks into any upcoming legislation, such as the infrastructure package.

FIVE OPPORTUNITIES TO GET MORE FUNDS WITH BIDEN’S TWO RELIEF BILLS (PART 5)

And of course, a fourth stimulus check is on the books with Biden‘s proposed relief packages.

Although the Biden administration has not confirmed it will send out more checks directly into Americans’ bank accounts, a fourth stimulus check remains a possibility.

At a May 4 press briefing, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said of the prospect of additional payments, “We’ll see what members of Congress propose, but those are not free.”

Despite hesitancy from the White House, the call for more direct checks is picking up steam, as over 75 members of Congress have urged the White House for a fourth stimulus check.

FIVE OPPORTUNITIES TO GET MORE FUNDS WITH BIDEN’S TWO RELIEF BILLS (PART 4)

The government could end up paying for the cost of your degree if you decide to enroll in a two-year community college.

One of Biden’s proposals will allocate $109 billion to help students attend a community college, that would then open doors to a four-year education.

In addition to recent high school graduates, workers interested in going back to school and DACA recipients would also be eligible.

The program would also include an increase of up to $1,400 in Pell Grants for low income students.

FIVE OPPORTUNITIES TO GET MORE FUNDS WITH BIDEN’S TWO RELIEF BILLS (PART 3)

Americans could become eligible for compensation should they need to take family or medical leave from their jobs, President Joe Biden proposed, in the nation’s first potential paid family and medical leave rollout.

Biden has proposed a measure to pay for time off from work to care for children and sick family members, heal from an illness, or recover from psychological trauma, according to a White House fact sheet.

The program would give workers taking leave up to $4,000 monthly, and would replace at least two thirds of weekly wages.

Ten years after implementation, it would also guarantee 12 weeks of paid family or medical leave.

Democratic lawmakers Kirsten Gillibrand and Rosa DeLauro are behind the push for the program, and have introduced a similar plan every year since 2013.

FIVE OPPORTUNITIES TO GET MORE FUNDS WITH BIDEN’S TWO RELIEF BILLS (PART 2)

Federal student loan borrowers might be able to save if not entirely get their debts forgiven – if Congress approves.

Student debt grew by more than 100% in the last decade, reaching $1.7 trillion at the end of 2020.

Biden has voiced support for forgiving $10,000 in graduate or undergraduate student debt since his presidential campaign.

The pause on student loan payments was extended three times during the Pandemic, first by Former President Trump and then by Biden in an executive order signed in January.

Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren and Chuck Schumer have both called for student loan forgiveness of five times that amount.

At a town hall in February, Biden rejected the Senators’ proposed increase, saying, “I’m prepared to write off $10,000 debt, but not 50.”