The recently introduced HEALS Act (the Senate Republican proposal for the second round of the stimulus package) would provide an additional $1,200 in benefits to Americans who received benefits earlier this year, but would also extend relief to college students and elderly dependents

Under the CARES Act, single people earning less than $75,000 a year and married people earning up to $150,000 were eligible to receive the first $1,200 stimulus check, while those earning up to $99,000 or $198,000 respectively received proportional benefits children under age 16 Families with children under age 16 received an additional $500 per dependent

The Senate Republican bill followed the same formula, but expanded the amount of the stimulus check2 to provide $500 for older dependents, for example, college students and disabled adults

It is important to note, however, that the $500 payment will be paid to the taxpayer claiming the dependent, not to the dependent themselves

The HEALS law does not appear to place a cap on the number of dependents per family

The Tax Foundation estimates that 26 million additional dependents would be eligible for payments under this proposal, for an average total rebate of $1,523 You can use this Stimulus Check 2 calculator to see how much you would receive

The HEALS Act does not expand direct payments to groups other than elderly dependents

House Democrats passed the HEROES Act in May This bill also would have extended stimulus checks2 to elderly dependents, but in the full amount of $1,200 However, up to three dependents could receive a total of $6,000 in relief

The HEROES Act also would have made noncitizens (workers who use taxpayer identification numbers rather than Social Security numbers) eligible for stimulus check 2, but the Senate bill does not include this provision

While much of this second stimulus package remains controversial, Senate Republicans and House Democrats are generally in agreement on the need for and details of the second stimulus package

If you are still waiting for your first stimulus check, use the IRS Get My Payment app to check the status or call a representative at the IRS stimulus check phone number