While there is great uncertainty about so much during this time, your union is committed to bring you as much information as possible so working families can make the decisions they need to survive these times. The Stimulus package is large and robust and will affect AFT-Maryland members in a number of ways.
One area of confusion for some are the Stimulus checks many Americans will receive. Below, AFT-Maryland is providing a quick fact sheet to cover most of the basic information and FAQs around the checks.
STIMULUS CHECKS
- If you earn less than $75,000 – you will get $1,200.
- If you and your spouse file jointly and collectively make less than $150,000 you all will receive one $2,400 check.
- If you have children under 17, that you claim as a dependent you will receive $500 for each child. *Except for children born in 2020.
- These amounts are reduced for people with higher incomes.
- Individuals with $99,000 in earnings (or $198,000 for a couple) get nothing, even if they have children.
- You must have a Social Security number to be eligible for a payment.
- Your money will not be taxed.
- Seniors whose only income is from Social Security and veterans who rely solely on disability payments will receive the payments.
There is a specific group of Americans who will not get stimulus checks. These include people who owe back child support, immigrants who don’t have social security numbers, seniors living with family and being claimed as dependents among others. For a full list click here.
Direct deposits and checks will start to go out April 9, 2020. If a payment doesn’t hit your bank account or mailbox, or you get less than you think you’re owed, you can make a claim for what you think you’re owed on the tax return you file in 2021. For more information, visit IRS.gov/coronavirus.
The Stimulus Package also includes money for states. Maryland is in line to get about $2.3B. Large local governments (jurisdictions with more than 500,000 people) can apply directly to the Treasury Department for money once they detail how much money they need and how they intend to spend it. In Maryland Baltimore city, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Baltimore, and Anne Arundel counties will receive their funding directly from the federal government while remaining jurisdictions will get their money from the state allotment. It’s believed the larger jurisdictions will receive between $100-150M.
On the education front, the Stimulus bill allows for states to request a waiver to use existing federal funds to move resources to areas of higher need during the national emergency. According to the Department of Education, the law allows states to apply for a waiver that will let Maryland repurpose existing federal dollars to pay for technology infrastructure and teacher training on distance learning.