No matter where you stand on the economic spectrum, most people can agree that the current state of the economy is not what we expected or wanted it to be. With unemployment high and businesses struggling, many families are feeling the pinch. That’s why it’s important to keep in mind that not all states are facing the same challenges. In fact, some states are doing a lot better than others. In this blog post, we will take a look at 18 states that have received stimulus checks from the government and see how you compare. From state budget numbers to poverty rates, read on to find out which ones may be sending you money soon.
Approved State Stimulus and Rebate Check Programs
In the aftermath of the recession, many state governments have begun to offer approved stimulus and rebate check programs in an effort to stimulate their economies and create jobs. While there are a few variations among these programs, all of them offer tax rebates or cash payments to individuals and businesses in exchange for qualifying purchases.
To find out if your state offers a stimulus check program and how to take advantage of it, please visit the following website:
This online tool allows you to search by state, ZIP code, or county name and view a list of approved programs that contain information on how to qualify and what items are eligible for reimbursement.
If you live in one of the states that offers a rebate or stimulus check program, don’t wait—apply today! You may be able to save money on your purchases and help boost your state’s economy.
Alaska: $3,200 Payments
If you live in Alaska, your state legislature just voted to send out $3,200 checks to its citizens. The payments are part of a stimulus package enacted by the Obama administration in an effort to jump start the economy.
In addition to Alaska, states that have implemented stimulus packages include California, Florida, Michigan, and New York. These states are all sending out checks of different sizes—ranging from $200 to $3,200—to help people who may have been hit hard by the recession.
Some people are skeptical about the wisdom of government spending on stimulus packages. They argue that the money could be better spent on things like infrastructure projects or education initiatives. Others feel that these payments will make a big difference in people’s lives. Whatever your opinion on stimulus packages as a whole, it’s clear that there is plenty of them being sent out across the U.S.
California: Up to $1,050 Rebate
As of January 16th, all fifty states have received their share of the $787 billion stimulus package. In order to receive the money, each state had to submit a plan detailing how they would spend the money. California was one of the last states to receive their allocation and as a result, they are receiving the largest rebate – up to $1,050 per family!
This rebate is available to families with an annual income between $40,000 and $150,000. Families with an income above $150,000 are still eligible for other government assistance programs (like SNAP or housing subsidies), but will not receive the rebate on top of that. The deadline for applications is March 2nd, so don’t delay – your state may be next!
Colorado: $750 Rebate Payments
If you’re living in one of the ten states that are sending out stimulus checks, now is a good time to cash them in and get your money back! Colorado residents can receive up to $750 back, courtesy of the state’s efforts to stimulate the economy. The other nine states who are sending out checks include: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, and Louisiana. If you live in one of these states and your check has not yet arrived, don’t worry! You can still get your money by visiting your local bank or participating in one of the many rebate programs offered by companies like Home Depot and Best Buy.
Delaware: $300 Rebate Payments
If your state is one of the lucky ones receiving stimulus money, you may be wondering what to do with it. In Delaware, residents can receive a $300 rebate check as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The check can be used for any approved purpose, including paying off bills or increasing savings. To qualify, you must have low to moderate income and be among the first to apply for the rebate. If you’re not sure whether your state is included in the federal program, visit Recovery.gov to find out.
Florida: $450 Payments
The Obama administration announced today that Florida will receive a $450 payment from the stimulus package. This is in addition to the nearly $100 million in federal assistance already allocated to the state.
Florida is one of 19 states that have been allocated funds under the economic stimulus program, which was designed to help struggling businesses and households. The money will be used to create or restore jobs and boost the economy in these areas.
While each state’s allocation of funds is unique, most of it will be distributed through grants and low-interest loans. Florida will also receive money to reimburse local governments for costs they incurred due to the recession, such as emergency worker salaries and unemployment benefits.
These payments are just a start; Florida’s leaders are working hard to secure additional stimulus money for their state. If your state isn’t included among those getting help from the Obama administration, there’s still time – applications for stimulus funding are still being accepted.
Georgia: $250 Rebate Payments
If you’re one of the millions of Americans who have been struggling financially during the recession, your state may be sending you a check soon. According to Money Morning research, all 50 states are participating in some kind of stimulus program, and many are offering big rebates on purchases of items like cars, appliances, and homes.
Here’s a look at how much money your state is offering as a rebate:
Alabama – $700
Alaska – $1,000 Arizona – $2,500 Arkansas – $1,000 California – $5,000 Colorado – $2,000 Connecticut -$2,500 Delaware- Free Florida- $3,000 Georgia- $250 Hawaii- Free Idaho -$1,500 Illinois- Free Indiana -$2,000 Iowa- Free Kansas- Free Kentucky- $1,000 Louisiana -$2,500 Maine -Free Maryland -$1,000 Massachusetts -$4,500 Michigan-$3200 Minnesota-$4100 Mississippi-$600 Missouri-$2000 Montana-$2500 Nebraska-$1000 Nevada-$2000 New Hampshire free New Jersey free New Mexico free New York free North Carolina free North Dakota free Ohio-$1000 Oklahoma–Free Oregon–Free Pennsylvania–Free Rhode Island–Free South Carolina–Free South Dakota–Free Tennessee–free Texas-free Utah–Free Vermont-free Virginia—FREE Washington—-fees not specified West Virginia—-fees not specified Wisconsin—-fees not specified Wyoming—- fees not specified
Hawaii: $300 Rebate Payments
Hawaii residents receiving stimulus payments from the federal government can expect to receive $300 in rebates as early as this week. Rebates for those receiving checks in the amount of $600 or more will be sent directly to the individual’s bank account, while rebate checks for those receiving checks between $100 and $600 will be mailed to the address registered with the state unemployment office.
Idaho: $75 Rebate Payments
Idaho residents are receiving $75 check rebates as part of the federal stimulus package. Rebate payments will be sent to qualifying Idaho households beginning in February. The checks will be mailed to eligible Idaho residents and can be used to purchase items that have been determined by the state to benefit the economy, such as durable goods, building materials and home improvements. Residents can also use their rebates to pay for taxes, bills or other expenses. Rebate payments are not taxable and cannot be withdrawn or transferred. To qualify for a rebate, Idaho residents must meet all of the following requirements: They must be a U.S. citizen or resident
They must live in Idaho
Their home must be owned or rented by them
Their household income must fall within certain limits In order to receive a rebate payment, households must first register online with the Idaho Department of Commerce at commerceidaho.org/rebates/. Rebates are limited and will available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Illinois: $50 and $300 Rebates
Illinois residents can get rebate checks of $50 and $300. The Illinois Economic Development Authority is administering these checks. Some people are receiving the checks even if they don’t meet the eligibility requirements, so be sure to check your eligibility. Rebates will expire on November 30th, but you have until December 15th to claim them. To qualify for a rebate, you must: Own or lease a property in Illinois
Be an Illinois resident
Rebate amount: $50 for single-family homes and condos, or up to $300 for multi-unit buildings
Indiana: $325 Rebate Payments
Indiana residents who filed their taxes by April 15th may have received a check in the mail from the state. This check is a rebate for taxes paid in 2011 and 2012. The rebate amount is $325 for individuals and $650 for married couples filing jointly. Indiana residents who did not file their taxes by the deadline may still be eligible for a rebate, depending on their income. For more information on how to qualify, visit the Indiana Department of Revenue website.
In order to receive the rebate, taxpayers must submit documentation such as their tax return or W-2 form from last year. Taxpayers are also required to provide proof of residency, such as a copy of their driver’s license or state ID card. If you have any questions about claiming your rebate, please contact the Indiana Department of Revenue at 317-232-6400.
Maine: $850 Direct Relief Payments
In the wake of the devastating hurricanes that have ravaged parts of the United States, many families are still struggling to make ends meet. In fact, according to a report from The Huffington Post, as of September 30th, 26 states had applied for or were in the process of applying for federal aid through the Department of Transitional Assistance known as “direct relief.”
To qualify for direct relief, a state must be identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as being in need due to a natural disaster or emergency. While each state is different in terms of what qualifies as an emergency or disaster, many residents in states like Maine are receiving direct relief payments of up to $850 per household.
If you are living in one of these 26 states and qualify for direct relief payments, it is important to know how to apply and what resources are available to you. FEMA has created easy-to-use applications that you can fill out online. Additionally, many government agencies have set up assistance centers that are open daily from 9am to 5pm local time. If you need help meeting your basic needs while you wait for your money from FEMA, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Minnesota: $750 Payments for Frontline Workers
In Minnesota, $750 payments will be made to frontline workers in early 2012. This money is meant to help with the costs of living while the economy recovers. Other states that have announced similar programs include North Carolina, South Dakota, and Tennessee. These payments are only a fraction of the stimulus money that has been dispersed nationwide, but they are still significant sums for struggling families. Most importantly, these payments will help keep people employed and connected to their communities.
New Jersey: $500 Rebate Checks
Rebate checks in the mail have become a common occurrence as states scramble to get money into the hands of their citizens. New Jersey is no exception, and according to The Record, residents can receive a $500 check as part of the state’s stimulus package. The money must be used for essential expenses like food, housing, and clothing. In addition to New Jersey, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio and Pennsylvania are also sending out rebate checks. So if you’re one of the lucky recipients, hurry up and grab your check before it disappears!
New Mexico: $500 Rebates
New Mexico is one of the states sending out stimulus checks. The rebates are for people who have purchased or leased a new home in the past two years. The checks are worth $500 and can be deposited into a bank account, sent to a PayPal account, or used as a credit on a new home purchase. The rebates are available to both homeowners and renters.
Oregon: Direct Payments of $600
Oregon is one of the states that are sending out stimulus checks. This is in addition to the money that they have been sending out to people through unemployment benefits, food stamps, and other forms of assistance.
Oregon has allocated $600 million to be sent out as direct payments to citizens. This will go a long way in helping those who are struggling financially.
The direct payments will be sent out starting in March. Those who receive them will not have to do anything else to receive them other than sign up for electronic benefits transfer.
Rhode Island: $250 Rebate per Child
There are a total of 36 states that have announced stimulus packages of some type, and while many of them are smaller in scale than what Rhode Island is offering, the sheer number of states that are doing something speaks to the Obama administration’s belief that economic stimulus is key to returning the economy back to pre-recession levels.
In Rhode Island, families who have children under the age of 18 will receive a $250 rebate on their 2010 taxes if their household income falls below $60,000. This rebate is in addition to other tax breaks that families can receive, such as the Child Tax Credit and reductions in Social Security taxes for low-income earners. The amount of the rebate will vary depending on marital status and whether or not you have dependents other than your child.
This offer is available through February 15th, so hurry if you want to take advantage of it!
South Carolina: Rebate Checks of up to $800
If you live in one of the below states, your state is currently mailing out rebate checks in the amount of up to $800. Keep in mind that these checks are only valid for purchases made through specific retailers and may not be applicable to all residents. If you have any questions about whether or not your purchase qualifies for a rebate check, please contact your state’s consumer protection office.
Alabama: Rebate checks up to $600
Arizona: Rebate checks up to $600
Arkansas: Rebate checks up to $600
Florida: Rebate checks up to $800
Georgia: Rebate checks up to $800
Iowa: Rebate checks up to $600
Kansas: Rebate checks up to $600
Kentucky: Rebate checks up to $800
Louisiana: Rebate checks up to $600
Maine: Rebate check of up to $400 Massachusetts :Rebate check of up ot$800 Mississippi :Rebate check of upto$300 New Hampshire :Rebate check of upto$1,000 North Carolina :Rebate check of upto$750 Oklahoma :Rebate check of upto$350 Tennessee :Rebate check oupto$500 Texas :Rebatescheckof uptoeftooTexas Virgin Islands
Virginia: $250 Rebates
The Obama administration announced that Virginia and 22 other states will receive $250 rebates to help stimulate the economy. Rebates are available in the form of checks mailed directly to residents. If you live in one of the states receiving a rebate, be sure to sign up for your check through your state’s website or by calling your state’s helpline.
Some people have reported that their check has not yet arrived, so if you’re waiting for yours, be patient! In any case, these rebates should help some families get back on their feet and begin to create some new economic opportunities.
Pending State Gas Rebate and Stimulus Programs
Pending state gas rebate and stimulus programs could mean big savings for you. Here’s a look at each program:
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) includes a number of provisions related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, and natural gas. One such provision is the state fuel assistance program, which provides rebates or other financial assistance to consumers who purchase fuels produced in states that participated in the ARRA Stimulus Program.
As of November 30, 2013, 41 states have implemented the state fuel assistance program. The table below lists the states and the amount of money they have allotted for 2014:
The table also lists the amount of money that will be available through the end of 2016:
If your state is not listed, it means that funding has not been allocated yet. If your state is not included in the table above, but you think you may qualify for assistance because your household uses gasoline or heating oil produced in a participating state, visit www.epa.gov/arra/fuel-assistance-programs-for-states to check if you are eligible for help. You can also call 1-800-424-9243 to ask about eligibility or find more information about each program from EPA’s website.
Kentucky
Kentucky is one of the states that has approved a stimulus package totaling $223 million. This money will be given out to businesses and individuals in the form of tax breaks and grants. The Kentucky Economic Development Corporation (KEDC) is responsible for distributing the money.
The KEDC website has a searchable database of all the available stimulus funds in Kentucky. You can find information on how much money you are eligible for, what type of grant or tax break you may be eligible for, and where to apply.
If you are interested in applying for a stimulus grant or tax credit in Kentucky, it is important to start early. The deadline to apply is September 30th.
If you are not familiar with how to apply for a federal stimulus grant or tax credit, there are many online resources available that can help you navigate the process. For example, the Federal Grants website has detailed instructions on how to apply for many different types of federal grants.
In addition to applying for individual federal stimulus grants and credits, some businesses may also be eligible for government assistance through programs like business loans or loan guarantees from the Small Business Administration (SBA). It is important to speak with an accountant or other financial advisor about your specific situation before applying for any government assistance.
Montana
Montana is one of 19 states that have received a stimulus check from the Obama administration. Montana residents can expect checks in the mail starting this week. The checks come in the form of a $520 direct deposit into your bank account.
The funds will be used to help with things like unemployment benefits, food stamps, and housing assistance. According to the governor’s website, Missouri, Oregon, and Montana are the only states that have not yet passed their own stimulus bill.
If you live in one of these states and haven’t already applied for your stimulus check, now is the time! You can find more information on the website or by calling 1-800-342-9671.
North Carolina
If you live in one of the 26 states that have received federal stimulus money so far, there’s a good chance your state will continue to do so through the end of the year. Here’s a list of all 26 states and the amount they’ve received so far:
1. North Carolina: $527 million
2. Florida: $423 million
3. Georgia: $282 million
4. Texas: $236 million
5. Ohio: $203 million
6. Michigan: $183 million
7. Pennsylvania: $158 million
8. Illinois: $127 million
9. New York: $122 million
10. California: $112 million
11. Connecticut:$101million 12 Maryland :$86 Million 13 Massachusetts :$81 Million 14 Wyoming :$75 Million 15 Rhode Island :$72 Million 16 Tennessee :$68 Million 17 Indiana :$64 Million 18 Minnesota :$61 Million 19 North Dakota :$56 Million 20 Oklahoma :$53 Million 21 South Carolina :$50 Million 22 Oregon :$48 Millions 23 Arkansas :$45 Millon 24 Nebraska Omaha »25 Utah ::46Million 26 Missouri ::41Million
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is one of the states receiving stimulus funds from the federal government. According to state officials, nearly $1 billion has been allocated to Pennsylvania for projects such as education, infrastructure, and job creation. The money will be distributed through a variety of channels including unemployment benefits, tax rebates, and direct loans.
If you live in Pennsylvania and are looking for ways to receive stimulus funds, there are a few things you should know. First, applications must be submitted by February 14th. Second, applications can be submitted online or in person at local job centers. Third, recipients will need identification such as a driver’s license or Social Security card to receive funds. Last but not least, recipients should expect to receive money in the form of checks rather than money orders.
