The arrival of a fourth stimulus check remains unlikely.
Families across the United States still experience the havoc that the COVID-19 crisis wreaks these days. This has caused millions of Americans to wonder whether the fourth stimulus check will still happen this year.
The federal government of the U.S. disbursed three stimulus payments to eligible individuals amid the pandemic. Through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the third batch, which already reached more than 169 million Americans, concluded in 2021.
Despite the surge of new cases due to the Omicron variant, the IRS has confirmed that a fourth relief payment is not happening, especially this February. The confirmation came after several fake news emerged, according to USA Today.
False claims about the fourth stimulus check
The publication released a “Fact Check” report after some social media posts claim that a fourth stimulus check will begin to reach households on February 9. The posts, which have already garnered tens of thousands of views through YouTube and Facebook, do not, however, provide any proof to support the assertions.
In response to the growing speculations among the public, the IRS has confirmed with the publication that “no fourth stimulus check is imminent.”
The outlet, later on, noted that it could not reach the ones who posted the videos for a comment.
Will there be a COVID-19 relief payment in 2022?
The same report tackled the future of a fourth stimulus check in the United States. Speaking to the publication, Eric Smith, who is a spokesperson for the IRS, stated that “no such payment has yet been approved.”
Experts and analysts also reportedly have “doubts” about the likelihood of the fourth COVID-19 relief payments. As asserted, the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden focuses on “infrastructure to spur economic growth,” and this has “lowered the odds” of another relief distribution.
On top of it all, many believe that the previous stimulus checks contributed to the ongoing inflation, causing criticisms to surface, as well.
Some families are eligible to receive $1,400 this year
Although there are no assurances regarding the fourth stimulus payments, some households may receive new checks from the IRS this 2022. This will still reportedly be under the third batch of relief checks, so the amount remains the same, which is $1,400.
Marca reported that the eligible individuals cover those who welcomed a new baby in 2021. They may qualify, as well, for the Child Tax Credit, which already concluded in December.
Meanwhile, as for the rest, they may be eligible for relief payments from their respective local and state governments amid waiting for further confirmations regarding the fourth stimulus check.
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