# Check in here (if you like) if you have (or have pending) your stimulus check **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [April 13, 2020, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-in-here-if-you-like-if-you-have-or-have-pending-your-stimulus-check/851705 "2020-04-13T17:09:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2020, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-in-here-if-you-like-if-you-have-or-have-pending-your-stimulus-check/851705/81 "2020-04-16T14:30:29Z")
ISTM, **Dinsdale** , that in the rush to pass \*something, \ ***now** , they just picked a number probably based on some threshold already existing elsewhere in the code. Also let’s be honest, it serves the political purpose of keeping a large chunk of the middle class from complaining _“oh, so everything is for the corporations or for the unemployed poor, what about me?”_. Already I’ve seen people whining that the threshold was too low, anyway. > [@mandala](#): > > Got it yesterday. For me this is welcome additional income but I do not really need it, as I am full-time employed (for now). But it left me wondering how this one-time payment is going to fulfill the needs of a suddenly-unemployed family for more than a couple of months. Almost certainly a steady monthly infusion of funds will be required for most people who have lost their jobs. I hope the next stimulus package (if there is one in the works) will take a longer-term view of the economic situation. That family in your example would likely qualify for the up to $600/week extra unemployment payment until the end of July, by which time something more mid/long term should have been worked on. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2020, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-in-here-if-you-like-if-you-have-or-have-pending-your-stimulus-check/851705/82 "2020-04-16T15:02:30Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > ISTM, **Dinsdale** , that in the rush to pass \*something, \ ***now** , they just picked a number probably based on some threshold already existing elsewhere in the code. Also let’s be honest, it serves the political purpose of keeping a large chunk of the middle class from complaining _“oh, so everything is for the corporations or for the unemployed poor, what about me?”_. Already I’ve seen people whining that the threshold was too low, anyway. > … Oh - I agree. And I’m familiar w/ the economy of just drawing a bright-line, as opposed to actually trying to assess need. Doesn’t change my opinion that it is unnecessary and ill-advised - other than for purposes of political pandering. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2020, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-in-here-if-you-like-if-you-have-or-have-pending-your-stimulus-check/851705/83 "2020-04-16T16:33:56Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Thanks. My ignorance. I thought the $75/150k was a hard cutoff. > > I hadn’t paid much attention, because I thought the entire process stupid and unwarranted. Hard to imagine why anyone would think we ought to further bankrupt our kids’ future so that a couple earning over $150k, w/ paychecks continuing during the crisis and no additional expenses (hell, actually reduced expenses), ought to get some free cash… :rolleyes: On the surface, I agree with you, but I think the idea is that even though that $1500 is a windfall for you and you don’t need it, as the economy continues down the crapper, maybe you use the $1500 to buy a new TV or some shiny new toy that will save another person’s job. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2020, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-in-here-if-you-like-if-you-have-or-have-pending-your-stimulus-check/851705/84 "2020-04-16T18:50:53Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > I’m curious, from many of the reactions posted here, some folks don’t seem to be in desperate need, at least not at the moment. How do you feel about this program giving so much money to (some of the people) who don’t really need it? > > I freely confess to being one of those people (well, part of one of those couples) who doesn’t need it. Since we are retired we suffered no loss of income; we did suffer a modest loss in the value of our IRA but I expect that to return to what it was before (and more) when businesses are allowed to open again and the stock market comes back. And yet, I am selfishly going to spend the money on maintenance of my home. On Friday I am having parts of my home boiler (hot water and hydronic heat) overhauled (it’s in the garage, no strangers in the house). I am having my back deck re-built before it falls out from under our feet, as soon as we are allowed. This money just means I have to dig a little less deeply into savings to accomplish these things. On the other hand, as I understand it, if I were to donate an equal amount to charity I would get a nice big benefit in this year’s taxes, maybe 15%. It doesn’t seem fair, does it? You make a good point. However the paperwork required to test everyone to see who really “qualifies” would take months. Much faster to send everyone under a certain max income the same amount. Giving to people who really need it is a great idea, if you can afford it. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2020, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-in-here-if-you-like-if-you-have-or-have-pending-your-stimulus-check/851705/85 "2020-04-16T19:42:30Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > I’m curious, from many of the reactions posted here, some folks don’t seem to be in desperate need, at least not at the moment. How do you feel about this program giving so much money to (some of the people) who don’t really need it? I’m puzzled by it. I had originally planned to put my payment toward some automotive upgrades, but it’s looking more likely that it will be going to worthy charities - the food bank at my university has already gotten a contribution. It just seems odd that it’s up to the people who get the money to decide to direct it to places to help those in need. (You could almost make comparisons to food distribution in general; look at the amounts of milk and produce being destroyed because it can’t be sold.) And why did I – someone who’s still employed full-time in an essential industry – get a payment before someone like my mom, who’s essentially on a fixed income? She has retirement income in addition to Social Security, so she’s fine, but others on fixed incomes aren’t ok even in normal circumstances. (And no, the IRS portal that’s supposed to show you the status of your payment is working for her.) ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2020, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-in-here-if-you-like-if-you-have-or-have-pending-your-stimulus-check/851705/86 "2020-04-16T20:26:06Z")
Had to wait a few hours for the IRS site to uncrash, but eventually was able to get in and according to them my $1200 was deposited yesterday (4/15). Will check on that and confirm tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![wahsahzii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a6a055/32.png) [@wahsahzii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wahsahzii)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2020, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-in-here-if-you-like-if-you-have-or-have-pending-your-stimulus-check/851705/87 "2020-04-17T19:47:06Z")
First try, IRS site said they did not have my DD info. I’ve been using DD for 20 years. This past year I owed money and scheduled the withdrawal for 4/10. They withdrew it on 4/10. WTF. Second try, no status available because they haven’t processed my return yet. The one they withdrew the money for. Still WTF. I’m still working, but one of my kids is not and is running into the same kinds of problems with both unemployment and the IRS, so I could use the money to help him out. ---
**Author:** ![eenerms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cdc98d/32.png) [@eenerms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eenerms)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2020, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-in-here-if-you-like-if-you-have-or-have-pending-your-stimulus-check/851705/88 "2020-04-17T20:58:53Z")
Got ours yesterday. Donating most of it to local food pantry. ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2020, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-in-here-if-you-like-if-you-have-or-have-pending-your-stimulus-check/851705/89 "2020-04-18T00:14:30Z")
N/M, wrong thread ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2020, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-in-here-if-you-like-if-you-have-or-have-pending-your-stimulus-check/851705/90 "2020-04-18T00:36:50Z")
Mine’s in my account. Dated 4-15. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2020, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-in-here-if-you-like-if-you-have-or-have-pending-your-stimulus-check/851705/91 "2020-04-18T02:57:01Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > You make a good point. However the paperwork required to test everyone to see who really “qualifies” would take months. Much faster to send everyone under a certain max income the same amount. > > Giving to people who really need it is a great idea, if you can afford it. I get that, and I wasn’t advocating a delay, but the threshold seems very high to me. If they were going to rush, I would rather they had rushed at least the low-income people that they know about, before people like me who aren’t suffering. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2020, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-in-here-if-you-like-if-you-have-or-have-pending-your-stimulus-check/851705/92 "2020-04-18T11:44:43Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > On the surface, I agree with you, but I think the idea is that even though that $1500 is a windfall for you and you don’t need it, as the economy continues down the crapper, maybe you use the $1500 to buy a new TV or some shiny new toy that will save another person’s job. Yeah, but as I see it, at my historical earning level, and having saved responsibly and lived w/in my means, my current generous income is plenty to allow me to buy any number of $1500 TVs - as we wait for our savings to recover. I know the government pisses away huge sums of money all the time. Just a little different when I see the $ so directly affecting me. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2020, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-in-here-if-you-like-if-you-have-or-have-pending-your-stimulus-check/851705/93 "2020-04-18T22:01:49Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Yeah, but as I see it, at my historical earning level, and having saved responsibly and lived w/in my means, my current generous income is plenty to allow me to buy any number of $1500 TVs - as we wait for our savings to recover. > > I know the government pisses away huge sums of money all the time. Just a little different when I see the $ so directly affecting me. I see your point and it is valid. However, we have debates on this board all of the time about economic policy. Republicans tend to be supply siders, saying that incentives for the rich and business owners will create jobs and thereby cause prosperity to “trickle down” to the middle and lower classes. Democrats tend to be demand siders, saying that if we increase the minimum wage and have a robust social safety net that the economy will prosper because there are now more consumers out there to buy products and services. And we hammer that out on this board all of the time. But what we are talking about are normal times. This economic situation is not normal and is not caused by a lack of top down business structure. People are staying in their homes, losing their jobs, and not able to purchase goods and services. Whichever side is right in normal times, this economic situation is a demand side issue and requires a demand side resolution. Which is where your $1,500 comes in. Without having access to your financial statements, you seem _fairly_ well off. No worries about the grocery bill, the rent/mortgage (if you even have one), and no worries about enjoying _some_ of the finer things. However, this does stop completely at $200k/yr for a married couple, so we are not talking about Bill Gates or Jeff Bezos using an extra $2,400 for imported caviar. So the idea is to keep stimulating demand in the area where most Americans fall. If you got anything, assuming you are married, your makes less than $200k/yr. A very nice living without question, but it is not Jeff Bezos rich. So you will still go out and buy some things that will help people keep their jobs. Even if you put it in your savings account, you are helping the bottom line of your bank which will help others get home and car loans. Yeah, it could have been tailored a little better, but with the need to get money in the economy NOW, this seems reasonable enough. Any more tailored rules would still have suffered from different problems of over and under inclusiveness. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2020, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-in-here-if-you-like-if-you-have-or-have-pending-your-stimulus-check/851705/94 "2020-04-18T23:35:51Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Yeah, but as I see it, at my historical earning level, and having saved responsibly and lived w/in my means, my current generous income is plenty to allow me to buy any number of $1500 TVs - as we wait for our savings to recover. > > I know the government pisses away huge sums of money all the time. Just a little different when I see the $ so directly affecting me. If you don’t need the money, there are tons of people who desperately need way more than $2400, and it’s only going to get worse for a while. Why don’t you donate it however you think is most appropriate? ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2020, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-in-here-if-you-like-if-you-have-or-have-pending-your-stimulus-check/851705/95 "2020-04-19T01:08:10Z")
> [@Eva\_Luna](#): > > If you don’t need the money, there are tons of people who desperately need way more than $2400, and it’s only going to get worse for a while. Why don’t you donate it however you think is most appropriate? Ahh - that is where the rubber hits the road, eh? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2020, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-in-here-if-you-like-if-you-have-or-have-pending-your-stimulus-check/851705/96 "2020-04-19T05:51:36Z")
We are not getting a check. A friend who is on SSDS and VA Disability doesn’t file taxes. His check will be mailed to the address Social Security has on the 24th. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2020, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-in-here-if-you-like-if-you-have-or-have-pending-your-stimulus-check/851705/97 "2020-04-19T19:03:36Z")
Nothing yet, and I can’t get an update, it keeps saying our eligibility cannot be verified. We filed our 2018 taxes and paid. We haven’t filed 2019 yet, because we’re waiting for the stimulus check so we can send part of it back. I can’t even get in to give direct deposit information, it’s frustrating. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2020, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-in-here-if-you-like-if-you-have-or-have-pending-your-stimulus-check/851705/98 "2020-04-19T23:56:09Z")
> [@Patx2](#): > > Nothing yet, and I can’t get an update, it keeps saying our eligibility cannot be verified. We filed our 2018 taxes and paid. We haven’t filed 2019 yet, because we’re waiting for the stimulus check so we can send part of it back. I can’t even get in to give direct deposit information, it’s frustrating. If by “send part of it back” you mean use it to pay your 2019 taxes, you don’t have to pay your taxes at the same time you file. You can file now and wait until July 15 to pay without penalty. Even if you can’t come up with the money to pay by July 15, you should file on time anyway because the Failure to File penalty is TEN TIMES as much as the Failure to Pay penalty. If the tax program you are using insists that you specify a payment method, just say that you are going to send a check by mail. That doesn’t obligate you to send a check by mail. You can still use one of the many [electronic payment methods on the IRS web](https://www.irs.gov/payments) site even if you said you would send a check by mail. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-in-here-if-you-like-if-you-have-or-have-pending-your-stimulus-check/851705/99 "2020-04-20T00:08:52Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Ahh - that is where the rubber hits the road, eh? :dubious: No, it’s an actual suggestion. It seems like you think it was irresponsible of the Feds to implement this program. Maybe you know someone personally who is in need who you believe would use the money responsibly. You are obviously free to ignore the suggestion. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2020, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-in-here-if-you-like-if-you-have-or-have-pending-your-stimulus-check/851705/100 "2020-04-21T05:16:09Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > And yeah, **Loach** , because of her status (adult dependent) she does not get “Stimulus” but if she’s collecting unemployment she should qualify for the extra benefit – the NJ Labor Dept or whichever is the responsible office should be the place to go for reliable answers; for many people across the country the guidelines and rules are not yet squared away with their respective states (because it’s a different unemplpyment insurance law in each state), but AFAK in many cases it would be near-automatic immediately when they are. Yes the first $600 payment hit today. They were a little behind on that. Now she’s making a lot more per week than when she was working. And she’s not spending and eating all the free food I’m providing. Guess who is going to be paying her own car payment until this is over? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-in-here-if-you-like-if-you-have-or-have-pending-your-stimulus-check/851705.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-in-here-if-you-like-if-you-have-or-have-pending-your-stimulus-check/851705.md?page=6)