SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Americans are starting to get some relief in the form of stimulus money, which started to arrive in bank accounts this week.
However, getting money from the governments is creating a lot of uncertainty in already uncertain times.
“This is unusual,” said Shane Stewart, a certified financial planner with DMBA. “You don’t usually just get handed money.”
He said he’s been getting a variety of questions when it comes to the coronavirus stimulus checks.
“An interesting question I got yesterday, and I’ve got this several times, is, ‘I just received the stimulus check yesterday. I don’t trust it. When do I have to pay it back? And I’m not used to getting a handout,’” Stewart said.
In this case, the government wants you to spend money — or they want it to come in handy for those who are out of work right now.
“This is something that typically the government doesn’t have you pay them back,” Steward said. “It’s worth it to them to have the economy up and running, so that’s exactly why this is called a ‘stimulus’ check. It’s meant to stimulate the economy.”
Another big question is what if you are on Social Security? do you get a check?
If you paid your taxes in 2018 and 2019, you should get a check, Stewart said.
“We can’t see anything so far that says that person could not receive a check,” he said. “I think we’ll find out a little more in the next few days when we see if people who are on Social Security are receiving those checks.”
For those who haven’t received a payment just yet, the financial expert said not to panic. The first people receiving their stimulus money are those who filed in 2018 and 2019 and used direct deposit. Paper checks are being mailed, too. You can also track your check using the “Get My Payment” tool on the IRS website.
Overall, Stewart said the money is essentially a no-strings-attached check, but it’s up to the individuals how they spend it.
“If you are lucky to still be working and are OK financially, and this money could come in handy in other places like paying off debt or saving it, that’s great for you as an individual,” he said. “For the economy, it would be helpful if you went and spent it.”
Stewart also said some of his clients told him they are going to donate their money to a food bank or help out a family member or friend in need.
ncG1vNJzZmijo6HBt3rCqKRobGNqgnGEjrKmrqpdqMGqudSlrKxn