$600 Payments Headed To Most VA, DC Residents Under Stimulus Bill

VIRGINIA — A new coronavirus relief package that includes a second round of stimulus checks has been agreed upon by bickering members of Congress, with a vote on the nearly $900 billion deal expected on Monday.

For millions of Virginia and District of Columbia residents, it means direct cash payments. It also means expanded and extended federal unemployment benefits, a stay on evictions and help for business and schools.

Here's what it could mean for you:

• Stimulus payments for most residents would be $600, half of what was sent out in the spring. The payments will go to adults who made less than $75,000 individually and less than $150,000 as a couple in 2019. Payments will decrease for people who made over $75,000 and won't be available for people who earned more than $99,000. Adults will also get $600 for each child they claim as a dependent. It's unknown when the money will come by, but the CARES Act payments came within two months for most Americans.
• Federal unemployment benefits will provide an extra $300 a week and extend coverage to those eligible for another 11 weeks, running through at least March 14. The benefits also extend to self-employed and gig workers who are drawing from the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program. Many federal benefits were set to expire the day after Christmas. The money is half of the $600 per week unemployed people got under the previous relief package. Pennsylvania has faced an unprecedented surge in unemployment throughout the pandemic.
• A federal moratorium on evictions would be extended through Jan. 31. The current moratorium was set to expire at the end of the year. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed a revised state budget Nov. 18 that prohibits evictions and utilities from shutting off power, water and gas through the end of the state of emergency. In May, D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowsersigned a ban on eviction filings for 60 days after the state of emergency lifts. The D.C. Council recently voted to let Bowser extend it to March 31, The Washington Post reported. A D.C. Superior Court judge Anthony Epstein ruled last week that the District’s moratorium on filing new eviction cases “does not pass constitutional muster.”
• There would be more than $284 billion under the Paycheck Protection Program, which has been expanded to help a wider array of businesses.
• Schools would receive $82 billion for HVAC repairs in an effort to help get children and teachers back into school safely. There is no word on how much DC or Virginia schools might receive.

What they're saying

Sen. Tim Kaine: "The impact of COVID-19 on American families has been nothing short of devastating—especially in recent weeks. Though we are far from recovery, I’m relieved Congress was able to come to a bipartisan compromise before the holidays to begin funding much-needed relief."

Sen. Mark Warner: "In this new COVID-19 relief deal, I’m proud to announce we’ve secured $800+ million in relief for public transit for the DC-VA-MD region – funds I’ve been fighting for. Ensuring public transit services survive this crisis is essential for the federal gov't & frontline workers."

Rep. Gerry Connolly: "Listening to the Senate's Grim Reaper, Mitch McConnell, announcing COVID-19 relief agreement. "Help is on the way." You’d never know HE was the one who blocked that help for eight long months. First he wanted a pause. Then he told states and localities to file for bankruptcy. And then he announced his priority in a pandemic was protecting corporations from liability. So, yes, help is on the way. And no thanks to you, Mitch. Your delay cost lives."

Rep. Donald McEachin: "Today I will vote to pass the COVID-19 relief package to provide direct payments to families, unemployment insurance, rental assistance & support for small businesses, state & local governments. There is more to be done, & I will keep working to provide additional help to Va."

Rep. Abigail Spanberger: "Today, I’m voting Yes on the emergency COVID-19 relief package. Central Virginians are desperate for help, and I have been focused for months on negotiating & passing legislation that will quickly become law and start putting aid in folks' pockets. The package includes urgent relief like extended unemployment benefits, funding for vaccine distribution, nutrition assistance, stimulus checks, rental assistance, and PPP loans for small businesses. ... I urge the Senate to pass it, and I urge the President to sign it into law."

With reporting by Mike Caraggi of Patch