Stimulus Bill Passes Congress: What It Means For FL Residents

FLORIDA — More aid for unemployed Floridians and those struggling to pay bills because of the coronavirus pandemic could soon be on the way to individual bank accounts. The United States House of Representatives Wednesday passed a final version of the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package.

The goal was to pass the American Rescue Plan, which aims to combat the pandemic and bolster the American economy, and deliver it to President Joe Biden by March 14 — the day emergency jobless benefits expire. Biden is supposed to sign the bill Friday, according to media reports.

As with the Senate version, House Republicans were unanimous in their opposition to the bill. Only Rep. Jared Golden, a Maine Democrat, broke with his party to vote against the bill.

Sen. Rick Scott, R-FL, urged governors and mayors across the country to reject and return any federal funding in excess of their federally-reimbursable COVID-19 related expenses.

"Democrats rushed this spending through Congress without a single Republican vote and against growing evidence that local and state tax revenue did not suffer the massive downturn predicted when lockdowns began," Scott's statement said. "In fact, many state and local governments have seen revenue increases over the past year."

Rejecting or returning unneeded money "will send a clear message to Washington: politicians in Congress should quit recklessly spending other people’s money," Scott said.

See Also: How To Get The Coronavirus Vaccine In Florida

Democratic Rep. Charlie Crist of St. Petersburg tweeted that "Help is on the way. #AmericanRescuePlan is on way to @POTUS to be signed into law, including over $17 billion for FL! $1400 checks $300 UI add-on + tax cut $$$ for bars + restaurants $$$ for schools, jobs, shots, families + more all included!"

Stimulus Checks

Most notably, the measure will provide the much-anticipated $1,400 payments to individuals who meet certain income criteria.

The maximum amount for the third round of stimulus checks will be $1,400 for any eligible individual or $2,800 per eligible couple filing taxes jointly. Each eligible dependent — including adult dependents — also will qualify for a payment of $1,400. That means a family of four could receive as much as $5,600 in total.

Checks of up to $1,400 will go to individuals making $80,000 or less, single parents earning up to $120,000 and couples with household income of less than $160,000.

According to CNET, checks sent to direct deposit accounts could start going out the week of March 17. Paper checks could start being mailed the following week.

Child Tax Credit

One big benefit that could help families around the country is a boost in the child tax credit.

The credit, which is now at a maximum of $2,000, is being raised to as much as $3,600 per child under 6 and $3,000 per child between the ages of 6 and 16 for 2021. It will be paid out in monthly installments starting in this July and will include more low-income households.

The expanded credit begins to phase out for those earning $75,000 a year or $150,000 for couples.

More Federal Aid

In addition to direct payments, the legislation would provide hundreds of billions of dollars for schools and colleges, coronavirus vaccines and testing, mass transit systems, renters and small businesses.

It also has money for child care and assistance for states willing to expand Medicaid coverage for low-income residents.

Federal unemployment payments of $300 per week will be extended through Sept. 6.

An increase in the minimum wage was not a part of the House bill that just passed.