Credit: Unsplash

The conditions have been tightened compared to last time.

So, time once again for some good news and bad news: the good news is that Congress finally agreed on a new stimulus package to give the US economy a little jolt through the winter, and as part of that package, US citizens will once again be receiving stimulus checks. The bad news is that not only are these checks only for $600 max, only half of the previous check’s value, but the requirements for receiving one have tightened, which means even if you got one last time, you may not receive one this time. Good ol’ 2020, nothing can ever be straightforward.

Here’s how the requirements for receiving a check break down this time around: if you’re a single adult, and you make less than $75,000 annually (based on your most recent tax return, in case your financial situation has changed), then you will be eligible for the full payment of $600. If you’re married, and both you and your spouse make less than a combined total of $150,000 annually, you’ll both receive $600 payments for a total of $1,200. In either case, for every $100 over those annual baselines you make, your payment will be reduced by $5, eventually leading to complete ineligibility if you make over $87,000 single or over $174,000 married.

If you have dependents, whether you’re married or not, you’ll be eligible for additional payments of $600 a head. However, and this is important, only child dependents count here. If your dependent is over the age of 17, you’re not getting squat for them (though they might get their own payment if they file their own taxes).

Credit: Unsplash

Only US citizens and immigrants with green cards will receive payments, though in a slight change to the previous system, a couple that includes an individual without a green card will still be eligible for a married payment.

Assuming you’ve got your payment information on file with the IRS, you can expect to receive your payment in your bank account some time next week. If you don’t have your info on file with them, you’ll need to wait for a physical check, which doesn’t currently have an estimated timeframe.