If there is no second stimulus check in the next relief bill, you could still benefit

Congress is returning to Washington this week, and with its return to Capitol Hill, a growing number of Democratic and Republican leaders are pushing for a short-term relief program to help families get through the “dark winter” of soaring coronavirus cases and lingering economic hardship President-elect Joe Biden predicted. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned that the United States could reach a death toll of more than 320,000 by mid-December.

One option is for Congress to pass a bill smaller than the one Democrats have backed, a bill that expands some of the more critical agendas. will expire at the end of the year and leave aside a second economic stimulus check. The idea here may be that Congress could resume discussions on a larger package after the Biden administration takes office. Jan 20.

But after months of quarrels and urging and speaking, the Senate and the House of Representatives have only a few days left to reach a deal before the end of the year. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer on Friday signaled a window over the next two weeks that his chamber will need to work out details on the besieged COVID-19 relief bill, more precisely from December 2 to the beginning of the week of December 7.

But there is second stimulus payment is not a guarantee. (And a payment could bring you Less money than before.) Opponents suggest another direct payment may not be necessary, as a next COVID-19 vaccine indicates a return to work and the type of expenses fueling the economy. Not everyone will get the vaccine at the same time, however, and wider distribution in mid-2021 is still months away.

Earlier this week, a group of 127 economists signed an open letter (PDF) urging a second stimulation test like a fast, a fair and efficient way to “get families and the economy back on track”. But after months of talking about stimulus checks, what does it mean if another born come? We took a look at what other benefits a new stimulus package could bring to you, even without another $ 1,200 per qualified adult. This story is regularly updated with new information.

Smaller Bill Could Raise More Money for Federal Unemployment Assistance

the CARES Law in March authorized $ 600 more per week in unemployment money for unemployed people. When this program ended in July, President Donald Trump signed an executive action which extended payments until the end of the year to an additional $ 300 per week, until Dec.31 or until money for each state runs out. With the total number of unemployed claiming benefits as high as 20 million, the government reported this month, a renewal of federal unemployment assistance could directly help millions of people pay rent, food and pay. other essential goods.

Money for small businesses to meet workers’ payrolls

The Payroll Protection Program, which is also part of the CARES Act, was designed to help keep workers in employment by providing forgivable loans to small businesses for the purpose of paying wages. This means that people who work for small businesses should be more likely to keep their jobs because their employer can get extra money to help workers stay enrolled.

While recent studies suggest the payroll program has not been as effective as it could have been – many companies using the loans on non-salary expenses and to accumulate savings, according to a study by the University of Chicago – Republicans and Democrats pushed for renewal. of the program targeting the hardest-hit small businesses.

Protection of tenants which stops evictions

The CARES law provided for a period of 120 days moratorium on the eviction of tenants in arrears of rent. Trump renewed the moratorium until December 31. With a recent US Census study finding that one in five renters are not caught up with their rent during the pandemic, a failure in protections could be catastrophic for American households and could be made worse by an expected increase. in the event of personal bankruptcy.

With Congress until after Thanksgiving and the Dec. 11 deadline to approve a new federal budget, lawmakers will need to act quickly to agree on a short-term solution before the New Year.

Until then, here’s what we know about the state of negotiations on another economic bailout bill, what could be delay a deal and five advantages disappear unless Congress acts before the end of the year.