Who would qualify for a second stimulus check? Here's how eligibility could change - CNET

A change to eligibility rules for the second stimulus check could apply to millions of families.

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Before Monday, the US may finally have its COVID-19 stimulus bill for 2020. Negotiations for the new $900 bipartisan stimulus package currently include a second stimulus check that could include some dramatic changes to eligibility. To those who expected that stimulus payment qualifications for a second stimulus check would be the same as for the first payment, it could come as a shock to learn that Congress could expand one key requirement for who would qualify as a dependent, while also trimming payments for qualifying adults (as defined by the IRS).

According to the Washington Post, Congress is considering a change that would send $600 to each eligible adult and dependent of any age -- with no cap on how many family members could be considered as part of the household's second stimulus check. 

The new arrangement would reconfigure how much money you could expect to receive in a second stimulus check. But at least one member of Congress, Sen. Josh Hawley, is still pursuing a $1,200 stimulus maximum for adults. 

"Tomorrow I will go to the Senate floor to ask for an up or down vote on my bill to provide a direct payment of $1,200 to working Americans, $2,400 for couples, $500 for kids," Hawley tweeted Thursday. "This is the #covid relief working families need." These sums would mirror the payment limits set out in the CARES Act. 

Read on for more information about what may happen to stimulus eligibility now. (And if you're curious, here's what we know about a potential third stimulus check in 2021.) We update this story often.

A second stimulus check could change the definition of a dependent

The CARES Act capped eligible dependents at age 16 and younger, but the new $900 billion stimulus bill might let a dependent of any age qualify for the proposed $600 that goes toward the family's check. That means families that support older kids -- like college age students -- dependents over 16 with disabilities and older adults could potentially see more people in their household qualify if that proposal is adopted. 

Read more: Nobody can take your stimulus check away, right? Not quite

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Raise the amount of money per dependent

Giving dependents more than the $500 apiece issued in the CARES Act has been a discussion point for months. A White House proposal from October kept the definition of a child dependent, but increased the sum per individual to $1,000 on the final household check. The current proposal would set the amount at $600, if approved. (Here's how the IRS calculated the amount you got in the first check.)

Who could qualify for a second stimulus check

Qualifying group	Likely to be covered by the final bill
Individuals	An AGI of less than $99,000 (Same as CARES)
Head of household	An AGI of less than $146,500 (Same as CARES)
Couple filing jointly	An AGI less than $198,000 (Same as CARES)
Dependents of any age	No limit (HEALS proposal; up to 3 in Heroes)
US citizens living abroad	Yes, same as CARES
Citizens of US territories	Likely, with payments handled by each territory's tax authority (CARES)
SSDI and tax nonfilers	Likely, but with an extra step to file (more below)
Uncertain status	Could be set by court ruling or bill
Incarcerated people	Excluded under CARES through IRS interpretation, judge overturned
Undocumented immigrants	Qualifying "alien residents" are currently included under CARES
Disqualified group	Unlikely to be covered by the final bill
Noncitizens who pay taxes (ITIN)	Proposed in Heroes, unlikely to pass in Senate
Spouses, kids of ITIN filers	Excluded under CARES, more below
People who owe child support	Included in Heroes proposal, but excluded under CARES

Stop seizing overdue child support

The Democrats this summer pushed to let a parent who owed child support receive a payment; the original CARES Act allowed the government to redirect payments to cover overdue support.

Send checks to people who are incarcerated

After months of back and forth, the IRS is sending checks to those who are incarcerated and eligible for a payment. A Republican plan this summer would've excluded the payments.

If the definition of a dependent changes, your family could benefit.

Angela Lang/CNET

Include noncitizens

The CARES Act made a Social Security number a requirement for a payment. Other proposals would've expanded the eligibility to those with an ITIN instead of a Social Security number because they're classified as a resident or nonresident alien. A Republican plan this summer would've excluded those with an ITIN.

Would the income limits be similar for a second stimulus check?

Under the CARES Act, here are the income limits based on your adjusted gross income for the previous year that would qualify you for a stimulus check, assuming you met all the other requirements. (More below for people who don't normally file taxes.) The current proposal in front of Congress would stick to the guidelines set out in the CARES Act for income.

• You're a single tax filer and earn less than $99,000.
• You file as the head of a household and earn under $146,500.
• You file jointly with a spouse and earn less than $198,000 combined.

What role do my taxes play in how much I could get? What if I don't file taxes? 

For most people, taxes and stimulus checks are tightly connected. For example, the most important factor in setting income limits is adjusted gross income, or AGI, which determines how much of the total amount you could receive, be it $600 or $1,200 for individuals and $1,200 or $2,400 for married couples (excluding children for now).

Our stimulus check calculator can show you how much money you could potentially expect from a second check of $1,200, based on your most recent tax filing. Read below for your eligibility if you don't typically file taxes.

How much stimulus money you could get depends on who you are.

Angela Lang/CNET

What should retired and older adults know?

Many older adults, including retirees over age 65, received a first stimulus check under the CARES Act, and would likely be eligible for a second one. For older adults and retired people, factors like your tax filings, your AGI, your pension, if you're part of the SSDI program (more below) and whether the IRS considers you a dependent would likely affect your chances of receiving a second payment. 

If I share custody or owe child support, how does that affect eligibility?

Due to a specific rule, if you and the other parent of your child dependent alternate years claiming your child on your tax return, you may both be entitled to receive $500 more in your first stimulus check, and in the second if that rule doesn't change.

If you owe child support, your stimulus money may be garnished for arrears (the amount you owe).

I haven't submitted my federal tax return for at least two years. Can I still get money?

People who weren't required to file a federal income tax return in 2018 or 2019 may still be eligible to receive the first stimulus check under the CARES Act. If that guideline doesn't change for a second stimulus check, this group would qualify again. Here are reasons you might not have been required to file:

• You're over 24, you're not claimed as a dependent and your income is less than $12,200.
• You're married filing jointly and together your income is less than $24,400.
• You have no income.
• You receive federal benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance. See below for more on SSDI.

With the first stimulus check, nonfilers needed to provide the IRS with some information before they could receive their payment. (If you still haven't received a first check even though you were eligible, the IRS said you can claim it on your taxes in 2021.) This fall, the IRS attempted to contact 9 million Americans who may've fallen into this category but who haven't requested their payment. Those in this group can claim their payment on next year's taxes.

I'm part of the SSI or SSDI program. Am I eligible to get a stimulus check?

Those who are part of the SSI or SSDI program also qualify for a check under the CARES Act. Recipients wouldn't receive their payments via their Direct Express card, which the government typically uses to distribute federal benefits, but through a non-Direct Express bank account or as a paper check. SSDI recipients can file next year to request a payment for themselves and dependents.

For more, here's what we know about the major proposals for another stimulus package. We also have information on unemployment insurance, what you can do if you've lost your job and what to know about evictions.

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