Select Americans to get recurring $500 payments over 18 months (2024)

a minute agoBy Amanda Castro

Wisconsin provides childcare assistance

Wisconsinlawmakers have approved an expansion of the state’s childcare credit.

The state is matching 100% of the federal credit instead of only 50%.

“The cost of child care is too darn high — making quality child care more affordable across Wisconsin is not just about doing what’s best for our kids, it’s also critical for keeping more folks and parents in our state’s workforce,” Governor Tony Evers said in apress release.

Over 110,000 taxpayers will see the benefits, the state’s analysis reported.

31 minutes agoBy Amanda Castro

How to apply for LIHEAP benefits

For help applying forLIHEAP benefits, you can call this toll-free number: 1-866-674-6327.

Be aware that even if you qualify for the program, you’re not guaranteed to get help.

This is due to the funding availability.

Today, 07:00By Amanda Castro

What to know about LIHEAP

The Low Income Energy Assistance Program provides financial helpto eligible families for theirenergy bills.

If a family is eligible they can receive help with heating and cooling costs, bill payment support, energy crisis assistance as well as energy-related home repairs.

The grants range from $200 to $1,000 each year and are issued via states, which receive funding from the Department of Health and Human Services.

Plenty of states only give out the grants once a year, while others let you apply three times a year.

Claimants of other federal benefit programs, such asSNAP,SSI, and TANF, may also automatically qualify for support.

Today, 06:00By Amanda Castro

Payments are being sent out now

Payments will arrive to eligible claimants through direct deposit or a reloadabledebit card.

Most of the 1,928 participants should see their first $500 by the end of April, and all initial distributions will be sent out by May.

The funds are alsotax-exempt, as they qualify as charitable donations per IRS rules.

Those seeking additional information can look at theFAQ pageon the pilot program website.

Today, 05:00By Amanda Castro

Qualifying for ‘no-strings-attached’ $500 payments, continued

The second group that would qualify are those who belong to “ACCESS Harris.”

This is the Accessing Coordinated Care and Empowering Self-Sufficiency program for low-income residents.

Members of the program can live anywhere within Harris County, but still must have household income below 200% of the FPL.

ACCESS Harris applicants will be the remaining 30% of participants.

There are only two other requirements for all residents who apply for the payment.

They must be 18 or older andUnited Statescitizens with certain non-citizen exceptions.

Today, 04:00By Amanda Castro

How to qualify for ‘no-strings-attached’ $500 payments

There are at least four requirements applicants must meet to claim a payment from the Uplift Harris County Income Guaranteed Pilot.

Not meeting all four could make a resident of Harris County unable to receive themoney.

The first criteria to qualify would be the “geographic cohort,” per the program’s site.

These would be applicants who live within high-poverty zip codes within the county determined by officials.

They also must have a household income that rests “below 200% of the federal poverty line (FPL).”

Harris County Public Health officials noted that at least 70% of the participants in the pilot program will come from the geographic cohort.

Today, 03:00By Amanda Castro

Learn more about ‘no-strings-attached’ $500 payments

Americans may qualify for a little-known monthly distribution worth up to $500.

Thedirect paymentcomes with “no strings attached” for the peace of mind of eligible claimants.

Officials in Harris County,Texas, which includes Houston and a population of over 4 million, initiated the program for nearly 2,000 low-income residents.

It’s known as the Uplift Harris County Income Guaranteed Pilot.

The funds for a total of 1,928 Harris County residents come from a $20.5 million pot set aside by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) created to help those in need after thecoronavirus pandemic.

It will be disbursed to qualifying residents for 18 months in consistent payment amounts.

Today, 02:00By Amanda Castro

Chicago pilots Down Payment Assistance Program

The Chicago Housing Authority’s (CHA) Down Payment Assistance Program is providing $20,000 in grants to residents of the city.

Applicants for the program can live outside ofChicagobut must use the money topurchase a homewithin the city’s limits and intend to make it their primary residence.

To be eligible for the grant, the recipient’s income should not exceed 80 percent of the area median income.

In Chicago, a single adult’s income must be $61,800 or less, and a family of three must have a household income of $79,450 or less.

Today, 01:00By Amanda Castro

Learn about helpful grants for home buyers, part three

To find out the best program for you, go to Bankrate.com and answer a13-question quiz.

The quiz will ask if you’re interested in a home purchase or a home refinance and what property you’re interested in buying.

How the property will be used and whether it’s a first-time property buy will both be asked as well.

Then, you’ll have to indicate where you are in the home-buying process, whether you want to connect with another real estate agent, and the estimated purchase price of the property.

After entering your estimated credit score, veteran status, employment status, and gross annual income, you will get to see the best options in your area.

Today, 00:00By Amanda Castro

Learn about helpful grants for home buyers, part two

The Chase Homebuyer Grantcan provide grants of up to $5,000 that will go toward fees associated with the mortgage or down payment costs.

It’s available to those seeking a loan through the bank or a conventional FHA or VA mortgage.

Other programs include the HomePath Ready Buyer program which is sponsored by the nonprofit National Homebuyers Fund.

The nonprofit sponsors down payment and closing costs grants that can add up to five percent of the total home price for those who complete a training program.

Today, 23:30By Amanda Castro

Learn about helpful grants for home buyers

Ahomebuyergrant is a direct payment that can go straight toward steep out-of-pocket mortgage costs for those who qualify.

Chase,Bank of America, and other organizations launched initiatives to get up to $22,500 in the hands of US residents looking to buy.

Bank of Americaoffers two grant programs for first-time buyers.

The America’s Home Grant can provide up to $7,500 in lender loans for closing costs while the Down Payment Grant will give a buyer up to $10,000 in down payment assistance.

To get the free cash, you’ll have to borrow from Bank of America, and it’s important to note that the Down Payment Grant has to be claimed on your taxes.

Today, 23:00By Amanda Castro

States with the lowest cost of living

Below are the top 10 cheapest states to live in and how their cost of living compares to the national average, according toInsure.com.

1. Mississippi(-17.35%)
2. Iowa(-15.1%)
3. Oklahoma(-14.63%)
4. Arkansas(-13.9%)
5. Alabama(-13.84%)
6. Illinois(-13.47%)
7. Missouri– (12.99%)
8. Tennessee(-12.49%)
9. Kansas(-12.03%)
10. Wyoming(11.94%)

Today, 22:30By Amanda Castro

States with the highest cost of living

Below are the top 10 most expensive states to live in and how their cost of living compares to the national average, according toInsure.com.

1. Hawaii(+71.36%)
2. District of Columbia (+42.67%)
3. California(+37.75%)
4. New York(+28.24%)
5. Massachusetts(+22.01%)
6. Alaska(+16.66%)
7. Washington(+12.99%)
8. Oregon(+11.36%)
9. Vermont(+8.24%)
10. New Hampshire(+8.05%)

Today, 22:00By Amanda Castro

President Biden’s stimulus plan is slammed, concluded

Palmer has urged the Federal Government to get its balance sheet in order and has shared his strategy on what he would do if he was to be thenextcommander-in-chief.

“As president, I would reduce these tariffs to help bring the Federal Government’s annual deficit into balance, thereby reducing inflation,” he said.

Most of Trump’s tariffs on around $300 billion of Chinese imports look set to remain, perAxios.

Biden is reportedly considering increasing tariffs on Chinese electriccars, per TheWall Street Journal.

Chinese electric vehicles are already hit with a 25% tariff.

He is also thinking about increasing duties on electric vehicle battery packs from Beijing.

Today, 21:30By Amanda Castro

President Biden’s stimulus plan is slammed, continued

Inflation is lower at the moment but Palmer believes another round of stimulus checks shouldn’t be on the horizon.

“I do not support another round of stimulus checks at this time,” he said

Palmer, a technology entrepreneur, has slammed the inexplicable decision by the Biden team not to reverse some of Trump’s flagship economic policies.

In his first 100 days in office, Biden signed more than 20 executive orders in a bid to reverse Trump’s legacy.

Orders ranged from suspending funding for the southern border wall to scrapping theKeystone XLpipeline and reversing Trump’s travel ban.

“Inexplicably, the Biden Administration has kept many Trump tariffs and policies in place,” Palmer fumed.

Today, 21:00By Amanda Castro

President Biden’s stimulus plan is slammed

Jason Palmer welcomed the financial relief but blastedJoe Bidenfor not taking more drastic economic action.

Around 165 million Americans benefitted from the payments between 2020 and 2021 while the US was gripped by the effects of Covid-19.

Millions of people were plunged into unemployment but therecessionsparked by thepandemicended after two months.

Palmer, who is a longshot candidate for the Democratic Party presidential nomination, told The U.S. Sun he supported the initial financial relief provided by both theTrumpand Biden Administrations.

“Thestimulus checksprovided to families in 2020 and 2021 during the height of the pandemic were good policy, helping to prevent a recession and keeping many unemployed Americans afloat during an especially difficult time,” he said.

Today, 20:30By Amanda Castro

Illinois town sending payments from $2.2 million pot

New Lenox,Illinoishas approved $2.2 million in tax rebates for select residents.

A village official told The U.S. Sun that checks were mailed on March 4, to nearly 6,790 households.

Those who receive the rebate are required to report it to the IRS when filing annual taxes.

Today, 20:00By Amanda Castro

Long Island volunteers receiving grants

Those who volunteer in emergency response units in Long Island,New York, could get up to $50,000 to buy a home.

Long Island Homes for Heroes is a program “firmly committed to supporting those who tirelessly serve our community, often without recognition or reward,” according to itswebsite.

We strive to fill this crucial funding void, offering an innovative solution through generous donations from our community, LIHomesfor Heroes states.

“Our goal is to provide the required ‘matching’ funds that our volunteer first responders need to access LIHP’s financial assistance.”

LI Homes for Heroesstated: “Applicants may receive up to $26,000 in down payment assistance and $24,000 for repairs if eligible for Category I (at or below 80% of the Area Median Income) and up to $9,000 in down payment assistance and $14,000 for repairs if eligible for Category II (at or below 120% of the Area Median Income).”

24th Apr 2024, 19:30By Amanda Castro

Washington residents are cashing in

Washingtonresidents will also see some cash back on their taxes.

The Department of Revenue in the state is holding onto unclaimedmoneyand property belonging to more than one million residents.

The average claim is roughly $131,according to Joe Gisler, manager of Unclaimed Property.

The money is coming from a surplus of $1.8 billion.

24th Apr 2024, 19:00By Amanda Castro

Qualifying for homeowner help in Alabama

To qualify for homeowner relief,Alabamaresidents must live in single-family or manufactured housing. Multi-family units and apartments do not qualify.

The money can be used for several specific repairs, as determined by an inspector.

• Roof replacement
• HVAC repair or replacement
• Plumbing repairs
• Electrical repairs
• Limited structural repairs
• Exterior painting
• Septic System

The program is first-come first-served. Steps to apply can be foundonline.

24th Apr 2024, 18:30By Amanda Castro

Apply for homeowner repair help in Alabama

Alabamahas allocated $3 million from theAmerican Rescue Planto help residents of Montgomery County with home repairs.

The money was included in the government’s 2021Covid-19stimulus package and is finally being disbursed via the Critical Home Repair program.

The Central Alabama Regional Planning and Development told theMontgomery Advertiserthat to qualify for the relief, residents must prove their homes need repairs that will improve their safety.

Montgomery County residents must also have a low to moderate income.

24th Apr 2024, 18:30By Amanda Castro

Billions given in federal aid to childcare providers

According to theWhite House, the $24 billionChild Care Stabilization Programhas provided aid to help over 200,000 childcare providers.

The program was designed to help childcare companies remain open so 9.5 million children would have a place to go when parents went to work.

Additionally, the program offered grants to childcare places that helped with basic operational costs like wages and benefits, rent and utilities, and program materials and supplies

24th Apr 2024, 18:00By Amanda Castro

Georgia community fund helps agriculture workers

The Latino Community Fund in SouthGeorgiahas teamed up with the US Department of Agriculture to provide funds to working farmers.

LCF Georgia has taken the lead in reaching out to eligible Georgia-based farmers to help them apply for the fund.

One recipient, Olga Gutierrez, toldThe Atlanta Journal-Constitutionthat she was surprised when she received her $600 payment.

Gutierrez added: “People who work on the fields like us are the ones who get the least help.”

24th Apr 2024, 17:30By Amanda Castro

Investing in the environment is beneficial

Astimulus check worth $6,000is also available to Americans who made anenvironmentalinvestment.

Those who installed solar panels on theirhomesduring the last tax year can claim atax deductionworth 30% of the investment those homeowners made.

Thecreditcannot be issued as a refund, so thetax liability has to be worth more than 30% of the installation cost.

The credit covers solar panels or PV cells, solar water heaters,energystorage devices, permit fees, inspection costs, and more.

24th Apr 2024, 17:00By Amanda Castro

AOTC details, concluded

To apply, you must have received Form 1098-T, Tuition Statement, from an eligible educational institution.

To claim the AOTC, you must completeForm 8863and include it in your tax return.

But to get the full credit, your modified adjusted gross income must be $80,000 or less, or $160,000 or less for married couples filing jointly).