What Are Your Chances of Receiving Additional Federal COVID-19 Relief?

• Author: Jessica Williams
• Posted: 2024-07-08

As has been covered by many news outlets extensively, the CARES Act was passed earlier this year. It allocated trillions of dollars to assist people and local governments across the United States. In the bill, popular provisions included $1,200 individual stimulus checks, $600 federal unemployment enhancement for each week of unemployment caused by COVID-19, and bailouts for certain areas facing more than average hardship due to the virus emerging.

Many assumed that the United States would follow the lead of other countries and pass several rounds of individual aid. While selected states such as California have passed additional individual COVID-19 relief, most of the country has been left to wait and wonder if they'll receive any additional assistance. Here are the factors you should keep track of that will help shape whether you could receive another round of assistance or not.

Pay Close Attention to Leadership Meetings

Most decisions related to additional COVID-19 relief bills are during private phone calls among White House staff, House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. As the House has a majority of Democrats, it wishes to have a higher-cost bill that covers more categories than solely unemployment and individual stimulus. One of the largest points of contention is whether cities that have been subjected to rioting should receive federal aid.

The Republican-controlled Senate, on the other hand, has had many members express disdain for the original CARES Act, stating that the $600 supplement was too much to give each week to people who likely did not already make that amount. As a result, the Senate typically puts out a bill every week or so offering some relief, but nothing near what the CARES Act offers. The House often puts out a bill each week or so that has what the Senate considers to be overkill.

As a result, there's essentially a stalemate. President Trump has repeatedly stated that he supports a larger and more comprehensive bill than the Republican-controlled Senate supports. However, he does not support the amount of COVID-19 relief that the House continues to propose.

Recalling that most provisions of the CARES Act expired on July 31, 2020, there have been several months for the chambers of Congress to work out a deal, but they have failed to do so. Any progress on this front would indicate there's a high chance more aid will pass.

Trump's Recent COVID-19 Diagnosis

Trump's recent COVID-19 diagnosis could have an effect on the COVID-19 aid talks. In anything, there's some hope that Republican leaders will become more sympathetic to aid for the virus, as a President of their party is now COVID-positive. The President had entered quarantine as of October 2, 2020, and he is expected to come out within fourteen days.

As of the time of writing, Mr. Trump has not reported any negative symptoms, and his health seems to be in good order. His wife, Melania, has reported "mild Coronavirus symptoms" as the WHO has published. However, she also seems to be in relatively good health. Quarantined in undisclosed locations in the White House, doctors are regularly checking up on the Trump family and their vitals. While it has had a temporarily detrimental effect on the stock market, the markets should recover as it becomes clearer that President Trump is stabilizing, and especially if it is reported that he tests negative for COVID-19.

The Nationwide Infection Rates

Of course, every state has taken a radically different approach to the novel coronavirus. Some states have gone as far as initiating "stay at home orders" that require people to not leave their homes and yards unless they fit an exempted category. Other states have far lesser measures, such as allowing certain localities to impose a requirement for most people to wear masks in indoor, public places.

There's a fairly even range of states that have an uptick in COVID-19, a downtick in COVID-19, and a stable infection rate of the virus. As infection rates go down, the likelihood of a second stimulus bill will go down. Likewise, as the unemployment rate across the nation continues to go down, the necessity of enhancing the weekly unemployment rate will go down, as well.

Core Takeaways

It's important to remember that much of COVID-19 relief is, unfortunately, partisan-based. Each political party has its own agenda that they try to insert into the bill. Over time, we will see what effect this has on the country.