Many Americans were able to benefit from the 3 rounds of stimulus checks that they received. However, not everyone realizes that they may be entitled to even more stimulus assistance in 2022. In fact, some Americans can expect to receive additional stimulus that’s worth up to $1,400 thanks to their tax return in 2022. It’s important to note that not everyone can receive this extra stimulus support! However, the American Rescue Plan allows those that had a child born in 2021 or those that claim a dependent on their taxes to have this opportunity for the remaining part of their third stimulus payment during tax time!
How to Get a $1,400 Stimulus in 2022?
When eligible individuals received the third stimulus payment, they basically received a part of their tax refund a year earlier than they should have. The third stimulus payment is known as the 2021 Economic Impact Payment (EIP). This 2021 EIP was actually an advance on the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit! This Recovery Rebate Credit will be where you could get your additional stimulus. Even though it is based for the year 2021, it will be provided during tax season of 2022. Tax day has passed as of April 18th, 2022. However, those that filed an extension still have until October 17th, 2022.
Who Qualifies for the Recovery Rebate Credit
Those that are eligible to receive this credit will need to meet qualifying criteria like:
- Dependents must be younger than 19 years old at the end of the year unless they are a student
- Dependents can be any age if they are permanently disabled
- There must be a specific relationship of the dependent and the tax filer as a child, brother, sister, foster child, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, half-sister, or a descendent of any of them
- Adjusted gross income for an individual should be under $75,000 while adjusted gross income for a married couple filing jointly should be under $150,000
If eligible for this credit it may be able to reduce any tax you owe for 2021 or be included in your tax refund! Some individuals may find that they have questions when it comes to this tax credit. If you are in the same boat you will want to reach out to a professional like a tax expert, accountant, etc. They will be able to help you better understand this tax credit opportunity and what it means for your specific situation.
Are There Other Stimulus Payments Besides the Recovery Rebate Credit?
Some Americans may also be eligible to receive an unrelated stimulus payment depending on the state they live in. While some of the payments have already been issued, some have not. Some were issued back before 2022 while some are still available! Even though there are no signs that congress would roll out another set of direct stimulus payments nationwide, a few states didn’t agree with that decision. Some states that have (or had) additional stimulus opportunities include:
Arizona
This is a state that already gave out this round of stimulus assistance. Individuals were able to receive $2,000 if they got a job after receiving unemployment benefits during a certain timeframe. Also referred to as the Return-to-Work bonus, this stimulus had eligibility criteria that Arizona residents had to have met. The information people provided must also be verifiable! At this time the application window has closed.
California
California is known for many things. They can add providing eligible recipients another round of stimulus payments to that list! Two additional stimulus opportunities were for qualifying middle-class families. Under Gold State Stimulus I (GSS I) qualifying households were able to receive up to $1,100. The first $600 goes to families that meet a certain set of criteria. Those same families can receive an extra $500 if they have kids. The second stimulus opportunity was through the Golden State Stimulus II (GSS II). This was a separate opportunity that gave qualifying families the chance to receive up to $1,100.
Florida
Eligible first responders may receive up to $1,000 through the Florida’s Heroes Initiative. First responders can include paramedics, EMTs, firefighters, and police officers. Besides first responders, principals and teachers may also be eligible to receive disaster relief payments of up to $1,000. Over 193,000 people had the opportunity to gain from this stimulus opportunity. These payments were not provided at the same time. On the flipside, a majority were mailed.
Maine
Maine is giving out disaster relief payments to those who worked throughout 2020. The payments are worth $850. There will be qualifying criteria that people must meet in order to receive these funds. The funds will be delivered in the form of a mailed check! This stimulus opportunity is still available and people have until October 31st, 2022 to file to claim it.
Maryland
Thanks to the Maryland Relief Act of 2021, eligible families had the opportunity to receive up to $500 if they filed for the Earned Income Tax Credit. Individuals would only be entitled to up to $300 if they filed for the Earned Income Tax Credit. Recipients would not need to apply in order to receive the funds! Roughly 400,000 residents in Maryland were able to benefit from these payments totaling $178 million!
Michigan
Full-time child care professionals can receive bonuses worth $1,000 thanks to the Child Care Stabilization Grant. Childcare professionals will receive these bonuses through their employer so they do not need to apply! However, employers will need to apply in order to provide these checks. Most recently the application window closed on May 26th, 2022 for the Spring 2022 application.
New Mexico
3,286 low income households in New Mexico should have received a stimulus payment of $452 earlier in 2021. This is due to the fact that some low-income households weren’t eligible to receive a round of federal stimulus payments.
Tennessee
Teachers can receive an additional stimulus payment in Tennessee. However, the amount they will be able to get varies by district! If you think you may be eligible, you will want to check with your locality for more information.
Vermont
Vermont has been a state that wants to help its residents as much as they can. Earlier on in the pandemic (back in January 2021) frontline workers received payments of up to $2,000 thanks to the Frontline Employees Hazard Pay Grant Program. This program has ended but that doesn’t mean Vermont is done providing assistance opportunities!
Unlike other opportunities on this list, Vermont wants people to move to their state. If you decide to move here, you can be reimbursed for up to $7,500 for eligible moving expenses. This is only available to those that work in certain industries. This opportunity has also come to a close. Another option would be the New Remote Worker Grant that may be able to help until the funding of $130,000 has run out.
What to Do if You Won’t Get a Fourth Stimulus?
Even though there are plenty of ways that people can get an additional stimulus payment, you may not qualify for any of the opportunities. If that’s the case, and you still need financial assistance, there are other options that may be able to help. You can look at other government programs that can assist with some of your bills like:
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Housing Choice Voucher Program
Medicaid
Health insurance is an expensive cost for many Americans. It can be hard to deal with on a monthly basis! That is where Medicaid can help. Medicaid gives health coverage to eligible low-income adults and children. This includes pregnant women, senior citizens, and those with disabilities. States are the ones that provide this assistance in accordance with federal requirements!
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Groceries are another necessary bill that Americans have to deal with. It can be hard to cover the cost of groceries on top of other bills like housing, utilities, etc. That is why people aim to get help from SNAP. This federal program gives funds to recipients on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. An EBT card can only be used at locations that accept them as a form of payment. The amount a person will be able to receive varies based on personal information submitted on the application!
Housing Choice Voucher Program
Another expense that people need to deal with is the cost of housing. The Housing Choice Voucher Program (also known as section 8) can give housing vouchers to eligible low-income individuals. These vouchers will be for a specific amount and can go towards the cost of rent and even utilities. These vouchers can only be used at properties that accept them as a form of payment. Your local public housing authority (PHA) will be the ones to help you with this assistance option.
Overall
There are plenty of opportunities for people to get an additional stimulus payment. Whether they can get it from the Recovery Rebate Tax Credit or through their state, there are more options than people may realize. There may be additional stimulus but you can’t bank on it. That is why you should consider government programs that may be able to provide relief as well.
