F.A.Q. on Stimulus Checks, Unemployment and the Coronavirus Bill ededited
Last edited Thu Mar 26, 2020, 07:20 PM - Edit history (1)
'The Senate relief bill would send money to Americans and greatly expand unemployment coverage.
The Senate unanimously passed a $2 trillion economic rescue plan on Wednesday that will offer assistance to tens of millions of American households affected by the coronavirus. Its components include stimulus payments to individuals, expanded unemployment coverage that includes the self-employed, student loan changes and much more. . .
Stimulus Payments
How large would the payments be?
Most adults would get $1,200, although some would get less. For every child age 16 or under, the payment would be an additional $500.
How do I know if I will get the full amount?
It depends on your income. Single adults with Social Security numbers who are United States residents and have an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less would get the full amount. Married couples with no children earning $150,000 or less would receive a total of $2,400. And someone filing as head of household would get the full payment if they earn $112,500 or less.
Above those income figures, the payment decreases until it stops altogether for single people earning $99,000 or married people earning $198,000.
In any given family and in most instances, everyone must have a valid Social Security number. There is an exception for members of the military. . .
Would I have to apply to receive a payment?
No. If the Internal Revenue Service already has your bank account information, it would transfer the money to you via direct deposit based on the recent income-tax figures it already has.
When would they arrive?
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that he expected most people to get their payments within three weeks. . .
Would most people who are receiving Social Security retirement and disability payments each month also get a stimulus payment?
Yes.
Would eligible unemployed people get these stimulus payments? Veterans?
Yes and yes.
If my income tax refunds are currently being garnished because of a student loan default, would this payment be garnished as well?
No. . .
Unemployment Benefits
Who would be covered by the expanded program?
The new bill would wrap in far more workers than are usually eligible for unemployment benefits, including self-employed people and part-time workers. The bottom-line: Those who are unemployed, partially unemployed or who cannot work for a wide variety of coronavirus-related reasons would be more likely to receive benefits.
How much would I receive?
It depends on your state. . .
Are gig workers, freelancers and independent contractors covered in the bill?
Yes, self-employed people would be newly eligible for unemployment benefits.
Benefit amounts would be calculated based on previous income, using a formula from the Disaster Unemployment Assistance program, according to a congressional aide.
Self-employed workers would also be eligible for the additional $600 weekly benefit provided by the federal government.
What if I’m a part-time worker who lost their job because of a coronavirus reason, but my state doesn’t cover part-time workers. Would I still be eligible?
Yes. Part-time workers would be eligible for benefits, but the benefit amount and how long benefits would last depend on your state. They would also be eligible for the additional $600 weekly benefit. . .
Who would the bill leave out?
Workers who are able to work from home, and those receiving paid sick leave or paid family leave would not be covered. New entrants to the work force who cannot find jobs would also be ineligible.
How long would the payments last?
Many states already provide 26 weeks of benefits, though some states have trimmed that back while others provide a sliding scale tied to unemployment levels.
The bill would provide all eligible workers with an additional 13 weeks. So participants in states with 26 weeks would be eligible for a total of 39 weeks. The total amount cannot exceed 39 weeks, but it may be shorter in certain states.
The extra $600 payment would last for up to four months, covering weeks of unemployment ending July 31.'>>>
https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-stimulus-package-questions-answers.html?
EDIT: JUST heard, on PBS Newshour, unemployment benefits NOT taxable.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Answered all my questions. 
