THOSE who are eligible for “surprise” December $1,000 stimulus checks need to make sure they are taking action over the next week.
Connecticut is one of several states that created a stimulus program for residents to help out amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
But in order to reap those benefits in the form of an additional $1,000 stimulus check, residents need to make moves immediately — before the year ends.
Connecticut’s Back to Work program for $1,000 in stimulus checks began back in May and will continue until December 31, 2021.
Governor Ned Lamont said that the program was created to help struggling residents as they transition back to working regularly.
“Many workers who were displaced during the early months in the pandemic and faced long-term unemployment are now transitioning back into the workforce and starting to rebuild,” Lamont said.
“This one-time bonus payment will help some of those workers pay for the critical things they need to get back to work, including childcare.
“This is the latest tool in our toolbox to maximize our state’s recovery from the pandemic.”
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The requirements for the checks are a bit more involved than in other states, with specifics on when residents filed for unemployment and how long they were on unemployment.
Residents are also required to have obtained a job to be eligible for the stimulus payment.
To claim a $1,000 stimulus payment, residents need to complete and submit the Back to Work CT program application electronically – no paper applications are accepted.
The Department of Revenue Services may contact an applicant directly to substantiate their employment following the completion of the required eight consecutive weeks of employment.
The Back to Work CT application, and additional information about the program, can be found on the Department of Revenue Services website at ct.gov/drs.
OTHER STATES WITH STIMULUS PROGRAMS
States across the country are helping their residents this holiday season with bonus payments.
Some lucky residents are in for a treat as several states now have their own programs to benefit the people who live there, with each local government deciding who qualifies for a fourth stimulus check and how much they will receive.
California implemented the Golden State Stimulus to residents who were required to have filed their 2020 tax return by October 15.
About half of the nine million residents received their checks as of October 31, and the remaining checks are being sent by mail.
To qualify for the payments, you must have been a California resident for more than half of the 2020 tax year and still be a resident of the state when the payment is issued.
A salary of $30,000 to $75,000 per year qualified California residents to receive $600, and that amount is bumped to $1,100 for those with children under the age of 18.
If you’ve not yet received payment, you should double-check your eligibility for the money by finding your Adjusted Gross Income because your AGI could be different from what the IRS has on file.
Some other states, like Florida, and other cities, like Seattle, also came up with their own versions of stimulus programs for certain residents.
Florida announced stimulus payments being sent to pre-K through 12th-grade teachers.
If eligible, those groups received a one-time payment of $1,000.
Gov. Ron DeSantis said the program would give support to about 175,000 teachers and 3,600 principals.
The governor also said he would offer a $5,000 cash bonus to unvaccinated cops who relocate to Florida from New York, Minneapolis and Seattle.
Maine Governor Janet Mills announced a program to send one-time payments worth $285 to over a half a million residents.
The first round of payments was sent on November 15 and the state will continue to send more through the end of 2021.
Those eligible are single filers who make less than $75,000 a year and couples who make $150,000 or less.
In California, the Golden State Stimulus II program is sending out payments for those whose adjusted gross income [AGI] is between $1 and $75,000 and who have lived in the state for more than half of the 2020 tax year.
And in Seattle, thousands received a stimulus boost worth up to $3,000
The stimulus checks are a part of the Seattle Relief Fund, which have gone out to nearly 9,400 residents, according to a statement from the mayor’s office on Tuesday.
To qualify, Seattle residents aged 18 or older must have sent applications by the November 15 deadline.
Also, those who applied must have had an income under 50% of Seattle’s area median income, which is less than $40,500 for an individual or $57,850 for a family of four.
The city provided $1,000 to 5,585 adults, $2,000 to 827 two-adult households, and $3,000 to 2,980 households with children or adult dependents.