JUST because the monthly child tax credits have ended, it doesn't mean there aren't ways for families to still earn a stimulus payment of some form.
Some states are providing a form of universal basic income (UBI) to families just as others are hoping to give their residents a state-wide stimulus check to help cover costs.
Although these may not apply to everyone, here are five stimulus check programs that can help make ends meet.
STATE AND CITY STIMULUS CHECKS
Some states and cities are offering their own version of a stimulus payment for residents in the absence of a federal one.
States like California and Minnesota are just two of a number of states offering programs like Golden State Stimulus II program, which offers California residents over $568 million in extra funding to make it through the end of the year.
Maine is offering to send out $285 checks to over half a million residents, while in Maryland, qualifying individuals can receive anywhere from $300 to $500.
Some states are offering profession-related checks, like Florida which is giving $1000 to first responders and Pre-K through 12 teachers.
And the buck doesn't stop there – cities like Seattle are offering payments to low-income individuals, like the Seattle Relief Fund which offers a one-time check up to $3000.
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STATES OFFERING UBI PAYMENTS
Instead of a one-time stimulus checks, some states have gone a little further by offering routinely scheduled universal basic income payments to qualifying individuals.
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Columbia, Chicago, New Orleans, Pittsburgh and Santa Ana are doing some UBI payments for low-income individuals.
In Columbia, 100 low-income fathers will receive $500 monthly checks for a year.
Those making less than $35,000 in Chicago will be receiving $500 monthly payments, while Los Angeles has a similar program offering $1000 monthly payments to those making below the poverty line.
Teens in New Orleans will be getting $350 monthly payments through the state’s financial literacy program.
And Newark, New Jersey is expanding its “guaranteed income pilot program," that allows 400 residents to get payments for two years.
NEXT YEAR'S CHILD TAX CREDIT
While December marks the final month of the year for child tax credits– you are still likely owed another payment.
Another part of the Rescue Act included an expansion of child tax credits to up to $3,600 per kid from $2,000.
Since July, eligible American families have received up to $300 per child each month.
With December’s payment, American families should have received up to $1,800 per child.
That means you’ll be able to claim the remaining $1,800 on your tax return.
UPDATED TAX RETURNS
Millions of Americans might get federal stimulus payments during the tax season next year.
And you might be eligible for two reasons: your family welcomed a newborn to the world in 2021, or you’re living abroad.
This would apply to the latest economic relief package known as the American Rescue Act, which included $1,400 stimulus checks.
Just thousands of Americans living overseas have received stimulus checks during the pandemic, according to CNBC.
“The scale of the payments going overseas is less than 1% of the [total],” Kyle Pomerleau, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute told CNBC.
“It wasn’t really very much when you look at it.”
According to the Department of State, roughly 9million US Citizens live outside the country.
THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX
Although not an offer of government support, there are other ways to supplement one's income.
Some include a cash back program that allow people to receive credit for purchasing goods.
For example, major cashback site Ibotta claims its average user earns $150 each year from online purchases and groceries.
And TopCashback claims it gives its average member $345 in cash back.
Other incentives come through banks offering huge sign up bonuses during the pandemic.
There are even sign up bonuses for getting a job during the nationwide labor shortage.
Given that there is a massive labor shortage, some companies are paying thousands in hiring bonuses in an effort to lure workers in.
In Florida, for instance, teachers and principals will receive $1,000 in stimulus cash for their commitment to educating during the pandemic.
Other states are running similar programs for the education sector and other industries.
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