- Bonuses of up to $ 2,000 are approved for essential workers who continued to perform their jobs during the pandemic in the state of Massachusetts
- The Senate passed a bill to distribute $ 3.82 billion federal dollars and did so unanimously
- They could mean the bonus to healthcare workers, educators and child care workers, as well as farm workers, food production workers and more
GOOD NEWS! They approved bonuses of up to $ 2,000 for essential workers who continued to perform their jobs during the pandemic in the state of Massachusetts, so a new check is on the way to award their courage.
Biden’s American Rescue Plan approved last March included financial aid for states and localities, which have the power to decide where they will invest the funds. The state of Massachusetts decided to organize a program to give a “juicy” bonus to its front-line workers.
Bonuses of up to $ 2,000 approved for essential workers during the pandemic
This week, the Senate passed a bill to distribute $ 3.82 billion federal dollars and did so unanimously. Although between legislators they still have to resolve some differences on the allocations that the legislation indicates, they have managed to reach an agreement.
The money approved through this bill will go mainly to the state unemployment trust fund, where they will invest $ 500 million dollars, and for bonuses for essential workers, for whom they will have another $ 500 million, according to the State House News Service.
Bonuses for essential workers
The bill provides for bonuses of up to $ 2,000 for Massachusetts essential workers, but they must meet certain requirements to be eligible for the aid. For example, family income should not exceed 300% of the federal poverty level, CBS Boston noted.
In late October, Governor Charlie Baker endorsed the “premium payment program” when he said that “this is a must” for those who worked during the emergency situation that began in March 2020 and has extended for more than a year.
Who qualifies for help?
The passed legislation suggests that the voucher be given to health workers, public health employees, educators, school personnel and other child care workers, as well as agricultural, food production, supermarket and other public service workers such as transportation.
Under this parameter, hundreds of Massachusetts residents could receive state aid, but ultimately the Baker government and an advisory panel will determine who will qualify according to what they estimate as “essential worker” and what the requirements will be.
Who will have priority?
Who will have priority? “The recommendations will prioritize lower-income essential workers who performed essential tasks in person since the start of the state of emergency declared by the governor on March 10, 2020,” the bill reads.
“The panel will also consider factors including, but not limited to, the increased financial burden of an essential worker and the increased risk of exposure to the 2019 novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, due to the nature of their job and any bonus or danger. pay that a worker has already received for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic and the amount of it, ”the document stipulates.
When will help arrive?
This has not yet been defined by the authorities, although the legislation anticipates that it could arrive next year in the form of a one-time refundable tax credit. The truth is that the advisory panel has until February 1, 2022 to present its recommendations on eligibility. In other words, the bonuses would arrive some time later, when they have defined who the eligible people are.
Meanwhile, a new aid check arrives NEXT WEEK to those parents who need it most across the country, as part of the expanded Child Tax Credit approved by the US Senate last March. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) confirmed that the next stimulus check is due next Monday, November 15.
New aid check is coming NEXT WEEK
This year, due to the pandemic, lawmakers approved the sending of monthly advance checks as part of the Child Tax Credit. Thus, parents could receive a little ‘extra’ money of up to $ 300 each month from July to December. At the end of the year, the families would have received up to a maximum of $ 1,800.
So far, the IRS has distributed 4 of the 6 planned checks. The fifth check of the Tax Credit for Children, corresponding to the month of November, will arrive at the hands of the beneficiaries registered in the program next Monday, November 15, in just 2 days.
How many payments are left this year?
The IRS only has to deliver the November check next week and the December check, which would be the last, and would be issued on December 15, 2021. With the help of the Child Tax Credit coming to an end many laggards might think they are late, but not.
If your family is eligible for assistance and had not signed up to the IRS system to receive the checks, you can still do so. Of course, it is likely that the payment will no longer reach you this year, but in 2022 you will receive a ‘juicy’ check with the full amount that corresponds to you, The Sun pointed out.
Do I qualify for assistance?
According to the IRS, couples earning less than $ 150,000 annually or single parents earning less than $ 112,500 annually qualify for maximum aid. Parents of dependent youth ages 17 to 24 also qualify for $ 500.
The American Rescue Plan indicates that this year eligible families will receive a total of up to $ 1,800 for each child under the age of 6, and up to $ 1,500 for each child between the ages of 6 and 17. That is, the monthly advance payments that will arrive between July and December will be up to $ 300 for children under 6 years old and up to $ 250 for children between 6 and 17 years old.
How does the Child Tax Credit work?
According to legislation passed in March, families will receive up to $ 3,600 for each child under 6 years of age and up to $ 3,000 for each child between 6 and 17 years old. The first half of that money will come through the six monthly advance payments from July to December. Parents will have to claim the $ 1,800 remaining next year when they file their 2021 tax return.
To determine your eligibility, the IRS uses the information you provided on your 2020 or 2019 taxes. If you are still unsure whether or not you qualify to receive these checks, the IRS recommends using the Eligibility Wizard for advance payments of the Child tax credit. They will ask you for some personal information in order to confirm if you are eligible or not.
Up to what age do children qualify for the Child Tax Credit?
Child Tax Credit payments are available to families with children Up to 24 years! While advance monthly checks are only provided for young people up to 17 years old, there is also a lower amount aid for the older ones, The Sun noted.
Congressman Steve Cohen explained that “age is determined on December 31, 2021. If your child turns 18 this year, then he is not eligible for the monthly Child Tax Credit. However, the American Rescue Plan provided a one-time $ 500 credit for dependent children age 18 and for dependent full-time college students ages 19-24. ” Bonuses of up to $ 2,000 approved for essential workers during the pandemic.