Second Wave Of $1200 Stimulus Checks Could Come Under Heroes Act, If GOP Senate Agrees To Go Along

A second wave of stimulus checks and economic support could be coming to alleviate financial burdens the coronavirus pandemic has caused.

The $3 trillion Heroes Act, which has already passed the House, is an expansive relief package labeled by Republicans as a Democrat “wish list,” so it would likely not pass the GOP-controlled Senate without some concessions by the Democratic lawmakers.

The majority of one-time checks up to $1,200 have already been distributed to eligible taxpayers from the $2 trillion CARES package. As statewide shutdowns continue to ravage the economy, the White House has indicated it would support sending a second round of stimulus checks.

The Heroes Act would include that second payment from the Internal Revenue Service, in addition to other benefits. 

Under the bill, individuals with an income below $75,000 would receive $1,200 and each dependent would qualify for an additional $1,200 — covering college students and children over the age of 16, unlike the CARES act which only provided $500 for children aged 16 and younger. The bill would also provide retroactive payments to children who were excluded from the first wave of checks, but now qualify.