March State Relief Payments To Ease Inflation
Inflation can take a toll on anyone’s finances, but five different states in the US are offering direct state relief payments in March to help relieve some of the pressure.
Here is a breakdown of the March state relief payment programs:
1. Illinois
Illinois is offering state relief payments through a full property tax rebate averaging around $350. The applicants must have owned a property, which could be a single-family home, a townhome, an apartment unit, or a condominium unit. In order to be considered eligible, individuals residing in New Lenox, Illinois, were required to submit their rebate application by December 15 of the previous year.
To apply for the state relief payments, applicants had to include a copy of their property tax bill and identification card for the year 2021 with their application. If applicants had any pending bills, tickets, or violations owed to the village of New Lenox, they would not receive their payment. The payments’ exact amounts may vary, but according to Kimberly Auchstetter, the finance director and treasurer for the village, the average payment is around $350, US Sun reported.
2. Maine
Maine is providing state relief payments in a form of direct payments of $450 to around 880,000 taxpayers who filed their 2021 taxes last year by March 3. This emergency measure was signed by Governor Janet Mills to help families stay warm during the winter months, with the money coming from the Winter Energy Relief Payments program.
Around 200,000 checks will be mailed each week until all qualifying residents have received the payments. It is estimated that 880,000 Maine residents are eligible for the state relief payments, and they don’t have to take any action to receive the payment, a published news article reported.
READ ALSO: Property Tax Rent Rebate Up to $1,000: See if You Qualify!
3. Idaho
Idaho is offering state relief payments through income tax rebates of up to $600 for joint payers and $300 for single filers. The state approved this rebate in September 2022 after allocating a financial package to reduce the state’s record budget surplus and cut taxes.
The Tax Commission will send about 75,000 rebates every week. Taxpayers must file the necessary tax returns by December 31, 2022, to be eligible for the rebates. Nonresidents and part-year residents aren’t eligible for state relief payments. Eligible individuals can check the status of their rebate with their Social Security number and either their Idaho driver’s license, state-issued identification number, or 2021 income tax return.
4. Connecticut
Connecticut is providing a $1,000 cash reward state relief payments to frontline workers during the pandemic, including grocery store staff, childcare personnel, agricultural workers, and manufacturing workers. The exact amount will depend on the worker’s income, with payments going out each week via direct deposit or mail over the next six weeks.
Connecticut’s state relief payments initially allocated $30 million to give $1,000 in hero pay to private sector frontline workers who worked during the pandemic between March 10, 2020, and May 7, 2022. However, after over 155,000 applications were approved, the state realized the demand outpaced the funds, and some workers making between $100,000 and $149,999 received lesser amounts.
5. South Carolina
South Carolina is sending out state relief payments worth up to $800 rebates to those who filed their taxes before February 15, 2023. However, qualified applicants must have a tax liability to receive the payments, with those having liabilities below $800 receiving a rebate equal to that tax liability.
South Carolina taxpayers who filed their 2021 taxes by the October 17 deadline should have received their rebate by the end of 2022, while those who file between now and February 15 will receive their state relief payments this month. Taxpayers who filed for an extension due to Hurricane Ian and have income-tax liability for 2021 are also eligible for the payment, US Sun reported.
It’s important to note that each state has its own eligibility requirements and deadlines for state relief payments. It’s essential to check with your state’s government website to see if you qualify for these programs. These one-time state relief payments can provide much-needed assistance to those struggling with the effects of inflation, so take advantage of these opportunities if you can.
READ ALSO: New Tax Package Brings $300 Rebates, Expanded Credits, and Overhauled Code!
