$1,200 Stimulus Checks Announced, But They Are Only Going To 20,000 People

Back in March, millions of Americans received a $1,200 stimulus check after Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, but since then, politicians have been going back and forth over what should be in the follow-up bill and because of that, there have been no further direct payments.

This week, Congress has once again been trying to draw up plans for a new relief package, but even as they get close to a compromise, the latest versions of the bill do not include stimulus checks. Because of that, one mayor has taken matters into her own hands. Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced this week that the city will be distributing $1,200 stimulus checks.

The checks will go to around 20,000 Washingtonians who applied for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program by November 30th. That program helps gig workers, independent contractors, self-employed people and others who wouldn't normally qualify for unemployment at the state level, but it expires on December 31. The checks will go out in the coming weeks.

As for anyone else in the country dealing with financial issues, even if Congress passes a relief package that doesn't include a second stimulus check, President-elect Joe Biden has said he plans to push for a second direct payment to Americans in need once he takes office on January 20.

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