Stimulus cash payments and tax rebates are one way in which local and federal governments are able to provide immediate financial relief to citizens. While inflation rates are returning to pre-COVID-19 statistics, many families and individuals are still feeling the effects of high cost-of-living expenses each month. To combat this, state governments are providing their own initiatives to ease the burden of imminent monthly expenses. Citizens from this state may soon be able to collect $400 checks.
Federal and state initiatives to help offset the cost of living
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government released a variety of stimulus payments, known as Economic Impact Payments, to citizens in order to assist with the financial repercussions of the pandemic. The pandemic saw widespread job loss, with unemployment levels reaching new lows not seen since the Great Depression. The EIP payments helped families cope with the sudden and unexpected loss of income.
This tax season, citizens have the final opportunity to collect their third EIP payment if they did not claim it in March 2021 when it was first announced. The third EIP amounted to $1,400. However, the payment may have spurred rumors of additional federal stimulus payments being distributed among individuals, when the reality is the payment was intended for use during the pandemic, and some chose not to claim it at the time.
Citizens from this state will collect $400 cash checks
While there have been no additional confirmed announcements regarding federal stimulus payments, states are organizing their own initiatives to distribute payments among citizens. In Virginia, citizens may be pleasantly surprised to find that the state is offering one-off tax rebate stimulus payments as a result of returning surplus funds to taxpayers in order to provide financial relief.
“My friends, there is no reason to raise taxes on Virginians. We are running surplus after surplus after surplus,” said Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin
To be eligible to receive the tax rebate from the Virginia Department of Taxation, you must meet the following qualifying criteria, as well as be aware of certain conditions:
- You must have filed your state income tax returns by November 3, 2025
- If you are eligible for the rebate but it exceeds your tax liability after all deductions and credits are applied, your rebate will be limited to what your tax liability is instead. In other words, the rebate amount you are eligible for must be less than what you owe in state income tax
If you are a single filer, you can earn up to $200, while married couples filing jointly can receive up to $400. The payments began to be distributed from July 1 and will continue into October, with the final payment date set for October 15, 2025. Similar initiatives have been seen by Georgia’s state government.
Other stimulus initiatives seen across states in the U.S.
Virginia is not the only state releasing additional stimulus payments to its citizens. Eligible citizens in New York can expect to claim up to $400 in once-off payments to compensate for inflation, and low-income couples can claim $1,800 in a once-off payment to help offset the costs of welcoming a new baby, provided that they meet certain criteria.
Initiatives like those seen in Virginia and in New York to help cope with the rising costs showcase a commitment from state governments to make everyday life more affordable. Financial stress is a burden to carry, and it especially hits harder when you need to support a family. To see governments taking charge to help their citizens not only is a direct help, but also fosters increased trust between citizens and policymakers, ensuring a strong relationship between the public and government employees.
Disclaimer: Our coverage of stimulus checks, tax reliefs, tax rebates, tax credits, and other payments is based on the official sources listed in the article. All payment amounts and dates, as well as eligibility requirements, are subject to change by the governing institutions. Always consult the official source we provide to stay up to date and obtain information for your decision-making.
