If there isn’t a second stimulus check in the next bailout bill, you could still benefit

After months of quarrels and urging and speaking, The Congress is reduced to a few days to agree on another economic relief plan before the end of the year. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer on Friday signaled a window in the next two weeks where 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.

In the run-up to Congress’ return to Washington, a growing number of leaders are calling on lawmakers to adopt a short-term back-up plan to see the country in the coming months, in what President-elect Joe Biden has called a “dark winter . ” It could mean expanding some of the more critical programs will expire at the end of the year and leaving aside a second economic stimulus check, with the idea that Congress could start discussions on a larger package once Biden takes office Jan 20.

Even then, a second stimulus payment is not a guarantee. Opponents suggest that this may not be necessary because a next COVID-19 vaccine signals a return to work, leisure activities and life as usual, which in turn can fuel the kind of spending that fuels the economy. Not everyone will get the vaccine at the same time, however, and wider distribution in mid-2021 is still months away. Meanwhile, coronavirus-related deaths are skyrocketing and the CDC warns the United States could reach a toll of more than 320,000 deaths by mid-December.

This week, a group of 127 economists signed an open letter (PDF) calling for a second stimulus check as a quick, fair and effective 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 looked at other benefits that a new stimulus package could bring you even without another $ 1,200 per qualified adult. This story is regularly updated with new information.

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Upcoming Stimulus Checks: What to Expect

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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 December 31, or until the 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 essentials.

Providing money to small businesses for workers’ wages

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 companies should be more likely to keep their jobs, as their employer can get extra money to help workers stay on the books.

While recent studies suggest that 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.

Eviction protection for tenants

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.