A change to qualifications could bring families more money.
Angela Lang/CNETThere's still hope that we'll see a COVID-19 relief bill with a second stimulus check of up to $1,200 in most cases and more for dependents before the end of the year. Before that can happen, the negotiations must yield a bipartisan agreement for specific legislation to be put up for a vote in Congress. (Here's President-elect Joe Biden's stimulus plan for the US, which includes a second check.)
The way qualifications were determined for the first stimulus check offers some idea of how a second round could work -- and who might not qualify for a second payment. Like last time, parameters like yearly income, age, child support situation, tax status and citizenship and the age of people in your household will presumably be factors.
People in the prison system, people who don't file taxes and those who didn't get a payment for a dependent in the first round may also still be able to claim a payment. Keep reading for more on eligibility rules. We update this story regularly.
Watch this: Next stimulus checks: What to expect
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Each qualification that may change with a new bill
According to a September Gallup poll, there's broad bipartisan support for a second round of stimulus payments, with seven in 10 Americans surveyed favoring more aid. Here's what's in the proposals that are still on the table:
Change definition of a dependent: The CARES Act capped eligible dependents as kids age 16 and younger. One proposal this summer expanded the definition to any dependent -- child or adult -- you could claim on federal taxes. That means families with older kids or older adults at home could potentially see $500 more in their check total per individual.
Read more: Nobody can take your stimulus check away, right? Not quite
If the definition of a dependent changes one way or another, your family could benefit.
Angela Lang/CNETMore money per child dependent: The most recent White House proposal would keep the definition of a child dependent, but increase the sum per individual to an extra $1,000 on the final household check. Here's how to estimate your total stimulus money and here's the IRS' formula for families.
Stop seizing overdue child support: The Democrats this summer pushed to let a parent who owed child support receive a payment; the original CARES Act allowed the government to redirect payments to cover overdue support.
More clarity on people who are incarcerated: After months of back and forth, the IRS is now sending checks to those who are incarcerated and eligible for a payment. A Republican plan this summer would have excluded the payments.
Include noncitizens: The CARES Act made a Social Security number a requirement for a payment. Other proposals would have expanded the eligibility to those with an ITIN instead of a Social Security number because they are classified as a resident or nonresident alien. A Republican plan this summer would have excluded those with an ITIN.
Income limits from the first payment may apply to a second
Under the CARES Act, here are the income limits based on your adjusted gross income for the previous year that would qualify you for a stimulus check, assuming you met all the other requirements. (More below for people who don't normally file taxes.)
- You're a single tax filer and earn less than $99,000.
- You file as the head of a household and earn under $146,500.
- You file jointly with a spouse and earn less than $198,000 combined.
Read more: President-elect Joe Biden has a stimulus plan for the US
Who could qualify for a second stimulus check
| Qualifying group | Likely to be covered by the final bill |
|---|---|
| Individuals | An AGI of less than $99,000 (Same as CARES) |
| Head of household | An AGI of less than $146,500 (Same as CARES) |
| Couple filing jointly | An AGI less than $198,000 (Same as CARES) |
| Dependents of any age | No limit (HEALS proposal; up to 3 in Heroes) |
| US citizens living abroad | Yes, same as CARES |
| Citizens of US territories | Likely, with payments handled by each territory's tax authority (CARES) |
| SSDI and tax nonfilers | Likely, but with an extra step to file (more below) |
| Uncertain status | Could be set by court ruling or bill |
| Incarcerated people | Excluded under CARES through IRS interpretation, judge overturned |
| Undocumented immigrants | Qualifying "alien residents" are currently included under CARES |
| Disqualified group | Unlikely to be covered by the final bill |
| Noncitizens who pay taxes (ITIN) | Proposed in Heroes, unlikely to pass in Senate |
| Spouses, kids of ITIN filers | Excluded under CARES, more below |
| People who owe child support | Included in Heroes proposal, but excluded under CARES |
Even if you don't pay taxes, they're essential to your stimulus check amount
For most people, taxes and stimulus checks are tightly connected. For example, the most important factor in setting income limits is adjusted gross income, or AGI, which determines how much of the $1,200 for individuals and $2,400 for married couples you could receive if you meet the other requirements.
Our stimulus check calculator can show you how much money you could potentially expect from a second check, based on your most recent tax filing. Read below for your eligibility if you don't typically file taxes.
How much stimulus money you could get depends on who you are.
Angela Lang/CNETSpecific exceptions and rules could apply to retired or older adults
Many older adults, including retirees over age 65, received a first stimulus check under the CARES Act, and would likely be eligible for a second one. For older adults and retired people, factors like your tax filings, your AGI, your pension, if you're part of the SSDI program (more below) and whether the IRS considers you a dependent would likely affect your chances of receiving a second payment.
If you owe child support or share custody, here's the status
Due to a specific rule, if you and the other parent of your child dependent alternate years claiming your child on your tax return, you may both be entitled to receive $500 more in your first stimulus check, and in the second if that rule doesn't change.
If you owe child support, your stimulus money may be garnished for arrears (the amount you owe).
Here's what happens if you didn't file a federal tax return in 2018 or 2019
People who weren't required to file a federal income tax return in 2018 or 2019 may still be eligible to receive the first stimulus check under the CARES Act. If that guideline doesn't change for a second stimulus check, this group would qualify again. Here are reasons you might not have been required to file:
- You're over 24, you're not claimed as a dependent and your income is less than $12,200.
- You're married filing jointly and together your income is less than $24,400.
- You have no income.
- You receive federal benefits, such as Social Security or Social Security Disability Insurance. See below for more on SSDI.
With the first stimulus check, nonfilers needed to provide the IRS with some information before they could receive their payment. (If you still haven't received a first check even though you were eligible, the IRS has extended its deadline to use its Non-Filers tool through Nov. 21.) The IRS is also reaching out to 9 million Americans who may fall into this category but who haven't requested their payment.
Am I still eligible to get a stimulus check if I receive SSDI or SSI?
Those who are part of the SSI or SSDI program also qualify for a check under the CARES Act. Recipients wouldn't receive their payments via their Direct Express card, which the government typically uses to distribute federal benefits, but through a non-Direct Express bank account or as a paper check. SSDI recipients also need to use the IRS' Non-Filers tool to request a payment for themselves and dependents.
For more, here's what we know about the major proposals for a second stimulus package. We also have information on unemployment insurance, what you can do if you've lost your job, if you could receive two refund checks from the IRS and what to know about evictions.
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