Here’s What the Coronavirus Relief Bill Means for You
Coronavirus cases continue to surge in the U.S., but some financial relief is in sight.
Congress recently passed, and President Trump signed, a $2 trillion bill aimed at providing emergency assistance to individuals and businesses reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here’s what to expect:
1. Most Adults in the U.S. Will Get Stimulus Checks
The legislation delivers a one-time stimulus payment of $1,200 for single tax filers with an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less, and $2,400 for married couples with incomes of $150,000 or less who file a joint tax return.
Households with children 16 or younger will receive an additional $500 per child coronavirus stimulus credit.
Eligibility will be determined by your 2019 tax return if you’ve already filed it or your 2018 return if you haven’t.
The first round of payments are expected to be made on April 9 to those who receive direct deposit. You can expect to receive your coronavirus check a few days later, depending on how quickly your bank processes the deposit. Check payments will be mailed at a rate of 5 million per week beginning April 24.
2. Unemployment Benefits Will Increase Significantly
The bill provides a huge expansion of unemployment benefits for people who have lost their jobs for reasons related to coronavirus. This includes tens of thousands of hospitality workers, as restaurants and bars close their doors as cities try to contain the spread. Employees across many other sectors may be out of a job as the pandemic takes a toll across the entire economy.
Workers will receive up to $600 a week of additional unemployment benefits on top of their state benefits for 13 weeks if their company closed or laid off employees due to the virus, or if they can’t work because they became ill with the virus. People who can’t work because they are unable to find child care would also qualify for benefits.
One notable feature of the expansion is that it will apply to gig workers, freelancers and independent contractors.
3. Small Businesses Will Have Access to a $350 Billion Loan Package
Businesses with 500 or fewer employees, including self-employed people and independent contractors, will be able to apply for loans as part of a $350 billion package to help struggling small businesses. The loans could be used for payroll or other expenses.
Business owners will be able to apply for loan forgiveness, though the amount they could have forgiven would depend on how many workers they retain or rehire.
4. It Will Get Easier to Use Your Retirement Funds
The bill makes it easier to withdraw your retirement funds if you need them because you became sick with coronavirus or experienced financial hardship as the result of the pandemic.
The usual 10% penalty on early withdrawals will be waived. You’ll also be able to spread income taxes you owe on any withdrawals you take over three years. The bill doubles the amount you can borrow from your 401(k) to $100,000 and offers greater flexibility for paying back the loan.
The bill also waives required minimum distributions, which are withdrawals you have to start taking from most retirement accounts at age 72 (previously 70 ½), for 2020. The measure is meant to give retirees more time to allow their investments to rebound.
Robin Hartill is a senior editor at The Penny Hoarder and the voice behind the Dear Penny personal finance advice column.
