What do you think of the stimulus package?

[1GoldenSun]

We don't get anything and that's as it should be; we don't need it. But I know people who have lost their jobs and for whom $1200 plus $500 per child is going to be a drop in the bucket, and I know others who qualify for the money but whose jobs are secure and for whom this money is just a fortuitous bonus. I do wish there'd been a way to tie the money to loss of income somehow, but I understand that the logistics of that would have eaten up a large portion of the money and it's probably more practical just to give the same amount to everyone who is under a certain threshold.

I'd like to think that my acquaintances/friends/family members who qualify but don't need the money will donate it as many of you here have said you would, but i know they won't. Worse, they're mostly not even planning on spending it, which would at least boost the economy. They're going to sock it away because their investments have taken a hit (as have ours!). That does make me a little displeased, but I guess it is what it is.

The important thing is that many people who will desperately need help will get a little bit.

 

[dish rag]

I'm happy to see uber drivers and similar qualify. They have been it hard. Wonder how much help is in it for hospitals, they should be making a fortune, was surprsied to see them on the list.

 

[JaxDad]

I haven't looked through the details, but I hope the people that need it most will get the help they need. I also hope the bill is not larded up with too much pork that is not needed for this emergency and will burden taxpayers for many years to come.

 

[tzolkin]

Wonder how much help is in it for hospitals, they should be making a fortune, was surprsied to see them on the list.

I have posted about healthcare on some other threads as well. The assumption seems to be that if you are in healthcare, then you have great job security but that is not really the case.

Unless you are in an areas completely inundated with COVID patients, most hospitals, surgery centers, and other healthcare offices are doing nearly no business right now. They are not supposed to be doing any elective procedures in order to free up space and conserve the limited resources (masks, gloves, etc) that they have left. They are sending employees home without pay and some smaller offices are completely closed. Many nurses, anesthetists, dental hygienists, etc are out of work for weeks (some even laid off) and it's uncertain when things will start back up.

As for the hospitals themselves, most generate their profits from the OR. So if there are no surgeries for weeks (or longer), there is no income. This could ruin smaller hospitals that are already struggling financially.

Even areas that do see a ton of patients where there's a spike in COVID will have to take into account the demographics. Medicare/Medicaid sometimes doesn't even pay enough to cover the hospital's costs. And since so many people are out of work it's possible that many of the patients racking up $100,000+ bills will not even have any insurance and will wind up being written off by the hospital.

 

[HeatherC]

Who exactly is getting it? Unfortunately, I am sure it is also loaded with a ton of pork projects that we will be paying on for a very long time.

We need a law that they cannot add “pet pork projects” to any bills. Both sides are guilty of this and I think it is wrong to sneak stuff in. No wonder people don’t like Washington.

 

[Farro]

No details but news just going off GOP original bill - $1200 for individuals making $75000 or less. Couples making $150,000 (I think) or less. Then nothing if you make over $99,000 and not sure of limit for couples.

And for some reason kids get money, but I don't think people who were unemployed and didn't file taxes in 2018 get anything.

 

[pryncess527]

I’m still unsure if my father-in-law, who is retired, would get the money automatically as an SS recipient, or if he needs to backfile taxes.

EDIT: it appears that, at least for people who already get money from SS or VA, they will NOT have to file taxes, the IRS will get their direct deposit info from these other agencies

 

[RF536]

No details but news just going off GOP original bill - $1200 for individuals making $75000 or less. Couples making $150,000 (I think) or less. Then nothing if you make over $99,000 and not sure of limit for couples.

And for some reason kids get money, but I don't think people who were unemployed and didn't file taxes in 2018 get anything.

I think the $500/kid is going to the parent(s). It is to help offset the additional costs of having kids in the house.

 

[pryncess527]

I'm happy to see uber drivers and similar qualify. They have been it hard. Wonder how much help is in it for hospitals, they should be making a fortune, was surprsied to see them on the list.

They are having to cancel their money makers (elective procedures) & throw all resources at this, they are not making a fortune

 

[Farro]

They are having to cancel their money makers (elective procedures) & throw all resources at this, they are not making a fortune

I'm thrilled they are getting money! I hope it helps to keep away lay-offs of non-clinical people that work for the hospitals - like me.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

$600 per week boost in unemployment (additional to what the states will be paying) for 4 months.

 

[wvjules]

It is a lot better than the bill that was put forth earlier.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I haven't read the details, honestly.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Here’s one thing I feel is unfair. DS and DD are both in college and both work at restaurants. Both filed income tax, but were still claimed as dependents on out taxes as we support them. Both do work a lot - DS works 50-60 hours a week during summer and works Christmas and spring breaks.
DD works at a restaurant in her college town and stays and works over the summer too
So, as I understand it, we will not be able to get the $500 stimulus credit because they are over 17 and they will not be able to get the $1200 because they were claimed as dependents.

 

[pryncess527]

Trying to summarize the details as I read them:


Under the plan as it was being negotiated, single Americans would receive $1,200, married couples would get $2,400, and parents would see $500 for each child under age 17.

However, the payments would start to phase out for individuals with adjusted gross incomes of more than $75,000, and those making more than $99,000 would not qualify at all. The thresholds are doubled for couples

Qualifying income levels will be based on 2019 federal tax returns, if already filed, and otherwise on 2018 returns.

There are provisions in the bill to include those who don't earn enough to file returns, but some people may be missed

The money likely won’t be distributed until May

 

[Farro]

I just think the restrictions are arbitrary on the check distribution.

Sure they limit the income to $75,000 (still ridiculous for anyone that lives in a big city, or is making less than they did in 2018), but I would imagine majority of those making $75,000 or less aren't directly affected by Covid, yet they will get checks anyways. So technically they don't "need" the checks either.

The unemployment part makes the most sense in helping people who's jobs are affected by Covid..

 

[Hikergirl]

Until it passes the House I don't think anything of it.

 

[wvjules]

I actually am not in in favor of a means test for this. Everyone should get $1,200. What if I filed in 2019 making $85,000, but now I'm unemployed? I'd not get the full amount but I'm jobless. Yes, some people that don't need it would get it but I'd rather that than people that DO need it not get it.

Now, I am also aware of expanded UI benefits, larger amounts, and for longer duration, so that may change my stance on the above once I see more details about that.

 

[sksjasams]

Here’s one thing I feel is unfair. DS and DD are both in college and both work at restaurants. Both filed income tax, but were still claimed as dependents on out taxes as we support them. Both do work a lot - DS works 50-60 hours a week during summer and works Christmas and spring breaks.
DD works at a restaurant in her college town and stays and works over the summer too
So, as I understand it, we will not be able to get the $500 stimulus credit because they are over 17 and they will not be able to get the $1200 because they were claimed as dependents.

This was my concern with previous versions - that it seems to purposefully exclude college students.

Does anyone know if this is the case with this current version of the package?

 

[MrsCobraBubbles]

Since I am currently unemployed because of this stupid virus, it will help me a lot and I would be grateful for it. Question, is the extra $500 for kids 17 and under, or under 17 (ages 16 and under)? I have a son who turned 17 in 2020.