Is a 4th Stimulus Check Happening in 2024?

IRS Debunks Fourth Stimulus Check Rumors

You may have recently come across multiple viral posts on social media claiming there will be a fourth stimulus check coming your way.

According to USAToday, they have received official communication via email from an IRA spokesperson, as well as many other state representatives that debunk these claims.

The federal government, which issued three rounds of stimulus checks with the last one distributed in March 2021, has not planned any new federal stimulus checks for 2023.

This means that unlike the earlier widespread federal stimulus packages, there won’t be a universal fourth stimulus check from the federal government this year​.

However, the story changes when we zoom in on the state and local level. Various states, Cities, and Counties utilizing State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) from the American Rescue Plan, have taken it upon themselves to distribute their own stimulus checks.

Funding Totals at Each Government Level

What States are Giving a 4th Stimulus Check in 2023?

As of November 2023, individuals who are eligible for benefits in the following 9 states should have already received their “4th Stimulus Check.”

If you believe you qualified but have not received anything, it’s crucial to look into the state-level programs for more information. Here’s a rundown of what each of these states is offering:

Arizona’s Employment Incentive

• Arizona: For those rejoining the workforce after unemployment, a $2,000 bonus is available, provided they stay employed for at least eight weeks.

California’s Comprehensive Stimulus

• California: Under the Golden State Stimulus I, residents earning less than $75,000 received checks ranging from $600 to $1,200. Golden State Stimulus II further extended benefits, offering $500 to $1,100, with additional support for families with young children.

Colorado’s Unemployment Relief

• Colorado: Targeting the unemployed, Colorado offered an additional $375 to individuals who received unemployment benefits between March and October 2020.

Maine’s Pandemic Worker Appreciation

• Maine: Acknowledging the efforts of pandemic workers, Maine issued $285 checks. Furthermore, an $850 relief payment was planned for about 858,000 residents to combat inflation, thanks to the state’s budget surplus.

Maryland’s Tax Credit Recipients

• Maryland: Those who claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit on their 2019 taxes were eligible for stimulus checks ranging from $300 to $500.

Missouri’s Frontline Worker Bonus

• Missouri: Employees in mental health, nursing homes, and correctional facilities received an additional $250 per paycheck as a token of appreciation for their service during the pandemic.

New Mexico’s Support for the Overlooked

• New Mexico: Focusing on those who didn’t qualify for federal stimulus, New Mexico allocated $750 checks to individuals in the lower-income bracket.

New York’s Aid for the Excluded

• New York: Catering to workers sidelined by the pandemic, the Excluded Workers Fund is distributing $3,200 to $15,600 as a one-time benefit. This is aimed at those who lost jobs or income during COVID-19 but were ineligible for other forms of aid like unemployment benefits or federal stimulus checks.

Vermont’s Recognition of Frontline Heroes

• Vermont: Through the Vermont Frontline Employees Hazard Pay Grant Program, frontline workers who were instrumental in the early months of the pandemic received $1,200 to $2,000. This program recognized a diverse group, including retail and grocery workers, janitors, and healthcare professionals, for their vital contributions.

For residents of these states who meet the eligibility criteria but haven’t received their stimulus checks, it’s important to reach out to the relevant state departments.

Each state has its own unique set of rules and processes for the distribution of these funds, and ensuring you have the latest information is key to accessing these benefits.

What States Could Still Give Out Stimulus Checks?

Based on the most recent reporting data available through June 2023, we have conducted an analysis of state-level funding from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), to determine which states may have the highest potential for distributing additional stimulus checks.

This analysis offers insights into the likelihood of further financial assistance in various states.

Details to Know:

• State vs. Local Funds: Besides state funds, cities and counties also have separate allocations which might be available for stimulus purposes.
• Fund Allocation Discretion: States have significant freedom in how they use SLFRF funds, ranging from infrastructure to economic initiatives.
• No Guarantee for Stimulus Checks: Our analysis doesn’t confirm that states with unspent SLFRF funds will definitely issue stimulus checks.

Important Deadlines:

• Obligation Deadline: States must commit these funds by December 31, 2024.
• Expenditure Deadline: All funds must be spent by December 31, 2026.

What This Means for You:

• Potential for Stimulus: States with substantial unspent funds could potentially issue stimulus checks.
• State Decisions Matter: The likelihood of receiving a stimulus check depends on your state’s decision on how to use these funds.
• Keep Informed: Stay updated on your state’s plans for the SLFRF funds to understand if stimulus checks might be a part of their strategy.

States with Lowest SLFRF Fund Utilization: A Percentage-Based Ranking

4th Stimulus Checks for Teachers

Some states have decided to give out a “fourth stimulus check” to teachers:

• Florida
• Georgia
• Michigan
• Tennessee
• Texas

Most of these states will give out a stimulus check between $500 and $1,000. Some states, like Texas, are doing even more by giving retired teachers a one-time stipend, and also cost of living adjustments for their pension income from TRS.

Are Social Security Recipients Receiving a 4th Stimulus Check?

As of the latest updates, Social Security recipients should not expect a fourth stimulus check specifically tailored for them in 2023.

Unlike the previous three federal stimulus rounds, where Social Security beneficiaries were included, there has been no announcement or legislation passed for a new, federal-level stimulus package targeting Social Security recipients this year.

However as we covered in this article, it’s important to note that some states, using their allocated funds from the American Rescue Plan, have introduced state-specific stimulus measures.

These programs vary widely and may include certain groups of residents, including possibly those on Social Security, depending on each state’s criteria and programs.

Social Security recipients should keep an eye on announcements from their state governments to understand if any state-specific stimulus checks or financial assistance programs are available to them.

What If I Missed My First Three Stimulus Checks?

If you missed out on the first three stimulus checks, don’t worry, there’s still a way to claim your missing payment. The IRS has outlined a process for individuals who either didn’t receive their Economic Impact Payments (EIP) or received less than the full amount.

Claiming Your Missing Payment

To claim your missing stimulus money, you’ll need to file a Recovery Rebate Credit on your federal tax return. This applies to your 2020 or 2021 tax returns, depending on which stimulus payment you missed:

• First or Second Payment: File a 2020 tax return.
• Third Payment: File a 2021 tax return.

Verifying Received Payments

Before claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit, it’s important to verify which payments you actually received. Here’s how you can check:

Online Account: Log in to your IRS account to view the total amounts of your first, second, and third EIPs under the “Economic Impact Payment Information” section.

IRS EIP Notices: Check the notices mailed to your registered address by the IRS:

• Notice 1444: Shows the first EIP for tax year 2020.
• Notice 1444-B: Shows the second EIP for tax year 2020.
• Notice 1444-C: Shows the third EIP for tax year 2021.

Letter 6475: Sent through March 2022, confirming the total amount of the third EIP and any plus-up payments for tax year 2021.

Make sure to use the total payment information from either your online account or the letters for accurately calculating your Recovery Rebate Credit. Married individuals filing jointly should each log into their accounts or review their own letters for their share of the payment.

For more information and to begin the process, visit the IRS Get My Payment page​​.

Frequently Asked Questions