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WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) announced the federal government’s timeline for issuing direct stimulus payments to individuals. The direct payments were passed by Congress as part of the third coronavirus response bill, the Coronavirus Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The CARES Act provides payments of up to $1,200 per adult and $500 per child. Individuals making up to $75,000 ($150,000 for married workers) will receive payments of $1,200 with an additional $500 payment per minor child. The payments decrease ratably and stop altogether for single workers making more than $99,000 ($198,000 for married workers and $218,000 for a family of four.)

According to the House Ways and Means Committee, starting mid-April (likely the week of April 13) the IRS is expected to make approximately 60 million payments to Americans through direct deposit for people who used direct deposit on their 2018 or 2019 tax returns. This will include Social Security beneficiaries who filed federal tax returns that included direct deposit information.

Shortly after that (hopefully within 10 days) after the first round of payments are made in mid-April, the IRS plans to make a second round of payments. These payments will be made to Social Security beneficiaries who did not file tax returns in 2018 or 2019 and receive their Social Security benefits via direct deposit. The estimates are that nearly 99 percent of Social Security beneficiaries who do not file a return receive their benefits through direct deposit. 

Approximately three weeks after the first round of payments are made (the week of May 4), the IRS is expected to begin issuing paper checks to individuals. The checks will be issued in reverse “adjusted gross income” order—starting with people with the lowest income first.

“Families and workers in Michigan are feeling deeply the direct impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. They, along with front-line healthcare workers, must be our immediate priority in our response,” said Dingell. “It is critical that the federal government work in an urgent manner to get these payments to individuals. If anyone has issues getting their payment, I’m here to help. Contact my office and we will work with you to fix the issue.”

Residents of the 12^th Congressional District who have questions regarding their direct payments or experience issues an reach out to Dingell’s office at (313) 278-2936 or send a secure message here.