63% of Americans support the idea of new stimulus checks to combat inflation — and these states are stepping up to offer relief. But will it work?

Lauren Bird
Updated ·8 min read
7.8k

Even with inflation easing, rising interest rates and labor shortages have many experts and economists concerned about a looming recession.

With all this uncertainty, what is clear is that American households are struggling and could use some extra support right now.

A poll done by Newsweek shows 63% of Americans support a new round of stimulus checks from the federal government to combat inflation.

However, lawmakers in Washington have given no indication they plan to pass a fourth round of stimulus checks. And some analysts argue it will only aggravate the issue.

But that doesn’t mean you’re completely out of luck. Your support may just come from a government a little bit more local.

Don't miss

States step in

Many states have had historic surpluses over the past year thanks to inflation driving up prices of goods and high pandemic spending. Inflation-adjusted state government revenue increased 16.4% in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the year before, according to the Urban Institute.

“Giving direct aid, direct payments is far more useful than doing income tax cuts, or gas tax holidays,” says Lucy Dadayan, senior research associate at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center.

Here’s a list of what states are offering. Make sure you don’t miss yours.

Alaska

People in Alaska are getting $650 to deal with rising energy prices in the Permanent Fund, which the state sends out every year.

In total, eligible Alaskans received $3,284 from the state in 2022.

Residents can now apply for the 2023 payment. The online application is available until March 31, 2023.

California

Eligible residents of California received a one-time rebate check of up to $1,050 to to help offset the high cost of gas and other goods, known as the middle class tax rebate.

Single people making under $75,000 received $350 and married couples making under $150,000 got $700. Couples with a dependent received an extra $350, bringing their total to $1,050.

Payments started to be issued in October 2022 and will continue through January 2023.

Colorado

Coloradans got $750 cash back in 2022 to help with the rising costs of gas, groceries and other items.

The checks were delivered by mail in August and September to anyone who filed their tax returns by the end of May 2022. But if you got an extension on your taxes, you should expect your check by Jan. 31.

Florida

Eligible families in Florida received a one-time payment of $450 per child.

That includes foster parents, caregivers and families that are receiving money from the Florida Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.

Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis made the announcement in July 2022. Nearly 60,000 families were expected to get the funds. If you didn’t get yours, the government suggests giving the Florida Department of Children and Families a call.

Hawaii

The state government in Hawaii passed a bill giving tax filers a rebate of $300 if they make below $100,000 and $100 for filers who earn above that threshold.

Direct deposits started going out in September 2022 and anyone who requested a paper check should have received that by the end of October. But those who filed 2021 state tax returns between July 31 and December 31, 2022 will get their checks 10 to 12 weeks after your tax return has been accepted.

Idaho

Residents in Idaho should have received an email notifying them of their rebate. Full-time residents who filed taxes in 2020 and 2021 are eligible.

The government used two ways to calculate the amount, $75 or 12% of your 2020 Idaho state taxes, whichever is greater.

READ MORE: Insurance rates are rising faster than inflation in some states — are your finances keeping up?

The tax commission says it will issue about 25,000 payments weekly, which can be expected through direct deposit of the mail. You can check the status of your rebate here.

And in September, Idaho lawmakers approved another rebate for those who’d filed their 2020 state tax returns. Individual filers can expect to get $300, while couples will receive $600. The government began processing those payments in September 2022 and sent them out in batches over the rest of the year and into 2023.

Illinois

In Illinois, direct rebate checks have been given to working families. Relief checks of $50 for individuals and $100 per dependent up to three children per family will be sent out at a cost of $685 million.

The state started sending out payments in September 2022, but it’s expected to take a few months for all of them to be delivered. You can track your rebate here.

Indiana

The government in Indiana issued $125 checks to residents in 2022 thanks to a large state revenue, which grew 14%.

The Department of Revenue says money started arriving in bank accounts in May 2022 and continued until mid-summer. You’re eligible if you filed a resident tax return for 2020 and 2021.

In August 2022, a second rebate of $200 a taxpayer was approved. If you didn’t receive both payments by November 1, 2022, the Indiana government suggests getting in touch with the Department of Revenue.

Maine

Gov. Janet Mills signed the winter energy relief plan on Jan. 4, which includes a $450 check to eligible residents. To be eligible, you must have filed your 2021 tax return by October 31, 2022.

Payments began in mid-January and should be all delivered by March 31. They are expected to go to about 880,000 residents.

New Jersey

Residents in New Jersey with at least one dependent child and a tax balance of $1 or more got a rebate of up to $500 on their 2020 taxes, known as the Middle Class Rebate. Payments were issued as a check separate from tax returns.

The state has also introduced the Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR) program to provide both groups with some extra stimulus. Homeowners earning more than $150,000 a year will receive $1,500, while high earners between $150,000 and $250,000 will receive $1,000.

Renters bringing home less than $150,000 could receive $450 if they meet the eligibility requirement.

Eligible residents can expect payments this spring.

New Mexico

The state of New Mexico offered two tax rebates in 2022 over three payments. Two laws were passed in the state to provide the tax rebates – providing up to $1,500 of financial relief to eligible residents.

Depending on income, an eligible person will get two to three payments of $250. For families, the payments will be $500.

Residents who filed their 2021 tax returns should have received one of those payments either by direct deposit or check already. Taxpayers who haven’t filed their 2021 tax returns can still receive the rebates if they file no later than May 31.

New York

In September 2022, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a $475 million plan to provide low-income New Yorkers with relief checks to help with inflation.

About 1.75 million New Yorkers should have received an average of $270 checks by the end of October 2022. However, in November, the state government admitted it was still processing some payments so if your check hasn’t arrived yet, that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck.

Pennsylvania

In September 2022, Gov. Tom Wolf signed new legislation into law, offering a one-time bonus rebate for vulnerable residents.

Older residents and those with disabilities can continue to apply for standard rebates on property taxes or rent paid in 2022 through the property tax and rent rebate program. Applicants can submit their applications online.

Rhode Island

Residents of Rhode Island should have received a one-time stimulus check in the fall of 2022.

The stimulus was delivered in the form of a child tax credit. Eligible households received $250 per child for a maximum of three children. Checks started going out in September 2022, but if you haven’t received yours yet, you can check its status here.

South Carolina

Towards the end of 2022, taxpayers in South Carolina were issued refund checks of up to $800.

If you live in South Carolina, how much you’ll get depends on your tax liability. But to have qualified for these checks, you'll have to have filed your taxes for 2021.

Residents who filed their 2021 tax return by October 17, 2022 should have received their refund by the end of 2022. If they filed after the extension deadline, you will receive your refund in March 2023.

Virginia

Gov. Glen Youngkin signed the budget in June 2022 that will see income tax refunds of up to $250 for individuals and $500 for married couples and eliminates the 1.5% state grocery tax.

Payments started going out in September and should have wrapped up by the end of November. But for those who held off on submitting their taxes until November 1, 2022, expect to receive your check within four months of filing.

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.