What to Expect When You’re Not Receiving Stimulus Aid in Tough Times

By Ruth K. Washington Last updated Nov 29, 2022

Consumers have been straining to keep up with sky-high living expenditures as a result of runaway inflation in recent years. According to a recent survey, higher prices are expected to be in place for some time.

As measured by the Consumer Price Index, consumer prices increased by 7.9 percent on an annual basis in February of this year. For the first time in more than four decades, the index has experienced annual growth of over 5%. According to research by the Motley Fool, the greater number is unsurprising in February given the increased prices of groceries, lodging, and gas.

When it comes to petrol prices, international tensions aren’t helping to alleviate the situation any. This week, the average price of a gallon of gas was $4.17, an increase of $0.50 from the previous week. According to industry experts, gas prices might jump as much as $4.50 per gallon by May.

Many people are wondering whether or not legislators will step in and provide some form of support to those who need it. American families received large stimulus packages and Child Tax Credit payments last year, in addition to other benefits. Is it reasonable to assume a comparable level of assistance in 2022?

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Consumers May Have to Brace Themselves for Difficult Economic Conditions.

The American Rescue Plan was put into effect in March of 2021, although the economy was still suffering from serious troubles at the time. Despite rising prices, the overall economic picture is much more optimistic a year after the recession ended. Unemployment has declined, job creation has increased, and incomes have increased as a result of these developments.

Overall, it’s difficult to make the case for another round of stimulus checks in the current economic climate. In other words, Americans should not expect another round of stimulus payments.

Meanwhile, lawmakers are still considering extending the expanded Child Tax Credit through 2022. This past year, children ages 6 through 17 were entitled to a maximum credit of $3,000, while children under the age of 6 were eligible for a maximum credit of $3600.

Additionally, between July and December, half of the Child Tax Credit was paid to banks in monthly payments, with the remaining half given in lump sums. The same cannot be said for this past year. Americans, on the other hand, should not rule out the possibility of a resurrection of these payments shortly.

Legislators must reach an agreement on the increased credit to persuade the skeptics. For example, income limitations might be tightened, or a work requirement could be implemented — something that wasn’t a necessity in 2021 but could be in the future.

Because of the measures put in place, fewer persons may be eligible for the enhanced credit. However, it may also be beneficial to the American people since it may provide them with additional funds at a time when they are most in need.

What Happens Next?

The Build Back Better plan, which envisaged a raised Child Tax Credit in 2022, does not appear to have much chance of success. Nonetheless, lawmakers can agree to include the credit in Biden’s huge spending plan as a means of ensuring that financial lifeline is made available to the nation.

Excessive inflation may continue for an extended period. As a result, making the argument for another round of stimulus checks may be challenging, while making the case for continuing aid to parents of children is not nearly as difficult.

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