Advocates hope for some relief as federal stimulus payments get underway

Mississippians  are starting to receive their stimulus payments as part of the nation’s federal relief plan.  Singles earning up to $75,000 will get a $1,400 check.  Couples making less than $150,000 will each receive $1,400.  Oleta Fitzgerald with the Children’s Defense Fund in Mississippi, says parents with children will receive that same amount for each child.

“So many Mississippi families have been struggling through this pandemic. And with people working part-time, people in and out of work, this will be a great benefit for almost all Mississippians,” said Fitzgerald. 

Fitzgerald says included in the plan is a $3,600 child earned income tax credit for kids under 6 and a $3,000 one for children over that age.  She says even families that don’t pay income tax will receive that benefit if they file their taxes. 

State Economist Corey Miller says the previous two stimulus checks, one for $1,200 and the second for $600, kept the state’s economy going. 

“I think most of the money that individuals have received has been spent because I look at our sales tax revenue. They’ve been consistently growing throughout this period. That’s the best information I have for that is that federal assistance,” said Miller.

Miller hopes this third pay out will help stimulate the economy more.