Key PointsStimulus checks have injected about $850 billion in financial support to Americans over the past year.Now, the Economic Security Project, a proponent of guaranteed income, is calling for more direct payments to help fuel the recovery.That's even as signs point to the new $1,400 stimulus checks boosting the economy.To date, the government has sent about in this round, totaling more than $376 billion.Those checks helped retail sales climb , beating expectations for a 6.1% bump.More from Personal Finance:Other data suggest Americans are using the money to improve their balance...…Key PointsStimulus checks have injected about $850 billion in financial support to Americans over the past year.Now, the Economic Security Project, a proponent of guaranteed income, is calling for more direct payments to help fuel the recovery.That's even as signs point to the new $1,400 stimulus checks boosting the economy.To date, the government has sent about in this round, totaling more than $376 billion.Those checks helped retail sales climb , beating expectations for a 6.1% bump.More from Personal Finance:Other data suggest Americans are using the money to improve their balance...WW…

Key PointsHouse Democrats plan to pass the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief packageCongress is poised to authorize new $1,400 stimulus checks, but some people with unpaid debts could have that money garnished this time.The House is the $1.9 coronavirus relief bill on Wednesday, which includes a third round of direct payments. From there, it will go to President Joe Biden for his signature.Like the previous two rounds of checks, the $1,400 direct payments will come with eligibility rules based on income and other requirements.However, because these new checks are set to be authorized through...…Key PointsHouse Democrats plan to pass the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief packageCongress is poised to authorize new $1,400 stimulus checks, but some people with unpaid debts could have that money garnished this time.The House is the $1.9 coronavirus relief bill on Wednesday, which includes a third round of direct payments. From there, it will go to President Joe Biden for his signature.Like the previous two rounds of checks, the $1,400 direct payments will come with eligibility rules based on income and other requirements.However, because these new checks are set to be authorized through...WW…

Key PointsIn this articleAs Congress works to finalize its latest coronavirus relief bill, some American families are poised to receive a financial windfall.Between new $1,400 stimulus checks and an enhanced child tax credit, that could add up to more than $14,000 for some families."All of the focus has been on the $1,400 when, in reality, for a family of four, they should be focused on the $14,000," said Ed Mills, Washington policy analyst at Raymond James. Mills about the potential income boost this week.The new stimulus checks would provide $1,400 per person, including child and adult...…Key PointsIn this articleAs Congress works to finalize its latest coronavirus relief bill, some American families are poised to receive a financial windfall.Between new $1,400 stimulus checks and an enhanced child tax credit, that could add up to more than $14,000 for some families."All of the focus has been on the $1,400 when, in reality, for a family of four, they should be focused on the $14,000," said Ed Mills, Washington policy analyst at Raymond James. Mills about the potential income boost this week.The new stimulus checks would provide $1,400 per person, including child and adult...WW…

Key PointsNewly elected President Joe Biden has a tall list of priorities in his first days in office, with stemming the pandemic chief among them.But experts expect one issue he promised to deal with during his campaign, Social Security reform, could also become a focal point as soon as this year.Millions of Americans count on Social Security benefits to provide income when they are retired or disabled, or when loved ones pass away.The program's funds have been running low. The latest official estimate from the Social Security Administration shows that just 79% of promised benefits will be...…Key PointsNewly elected President Joe Biden has a tall list of priorities in his first days in office, with stemming the pandemic chief among them.But experts expect one issue he promised to deal with during his campaign, Social Security reform, could also become a focal point as soon as this year.Millions of Americans count on Social Security benefits to provide income when they are retired or disabled, or when loved ones pass away.The program's funds have been running low. The latest official estimate from the Social Security Administration shows that just 79% of promised benefits will be...WW…

Key PointsUnexpected bills, like an emergency car repair or medical bill, are a fact of life.Yet not everyone can afford to pay up when those kinds of unforeseen events arise.Just 39% of Americans can afford a $1,000 unexpected expense, according to a from Bankrate.com.The results mark a slight decline in Americans' ability to over emergencies compared to past years. In 2020, 41% of respondents said they could afford an unexpected $1,000 bill, while 40% said the same in 2019.Considering high unemployment has persisted throughout the pandemic, capped by than expected in December, this year's...…Key PointsUnexpected bills, like an emergency car repair or medical bill, are a fact of life.Yet not everyone can afford to pay up when those kinds of unforeseen events arise.Just 39% of Americans can afford a $1,000 unexpected expense, according to a from Bankrate.com.The results mark a slight decline in Americans' ability to over emergencies compared to past years. In 2020, 41% of respondents said they could afford an unexpected $1,000 bill, while 40% said the same in 2019.Considering high unemployment has persisted throughout the pandemic, capped by than expected in December, this year's...WW…

Key PointsIt's looking more likely that direct payments to Americans will be included in the new aid Congress aims to pass before lawmakers head home for the holidays.Those could be around $600 to $700 per individual, on Wednesday. That's just about half of the $1,200 payments authorized by the CARES Act in the spring.A $600 reduced stimulus payment was included in a last week, though President Donald Trump has since called for sending .Now, Capitol Hill lawmakers are looking to move an approximately toward the finish line.More from Personal Finance: Why $1,200 stimulus checks were dropped...…Key PointsIt's looking more likely that direct payments to Americans will be included in the new aid Congress aims to pass before lawmakers head home for the holidays.Those could be around $600 to $700 per individual, on Wednesday. That's just about half of the $1,200 payments authorized by the CARES Act in the spring.A $600 reduced stimulus payment was included in a last week, though President Donald Trump has since called for sending .Now, Capitol Hill lawmakers are looking to move an approximately toward the finish line.More from Personal Finance: Why $1,200 stimulus checks were dropped...WW…

Key PointsThe clock is ticking for Congress to authorize new funding to prevent a government shutdown and pass new coronavirus stimulus relief.Now, two vocal supporters of second round of $1,200 stimulus checks — Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Josh Hawley, R-Mo. — have teamed up to introduce an amendment with the goal of ensuring those checks to Americans are included either in a stopgap bill or other legislation.The senators are calling for a second round of payments similar to the first that went out in the spring — $1,200 per adult and $500 per child. As with the first round,...…Key PointsThe clock is ticking for Congress to authorize new funding to prevent a government shutdown and pass new coronavirus stimulus relief.Now, two vocal supporters of second round of $1,200 stimulus checks — Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Josh Hawley, R-Mo. — have teamed up to introduce an amendment with the goal of ensuring those checks to Americans are included either in a stopgap bill or other legislation.The senators are calling for a second round of payments similar to the first that went out in the spring — $1,200 per adult and $500 per child. As with the first round,...WW…