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| "Sample federal stimulus check with Florida flag in the background — no fourth stimulus check has been approved yet, but the American Worker Rebate Act could offer future relief if passed by Congress." (Representing AI image) |
Is a 4th Stimulus Check Coming to Floridians? Here’s What You Should Know
- Dr.Sanjaykumar pawar
📑 Table of Contents
- Introduction – Why Everyone’s Talking About a Fourth Check
- Stimulus Checks vs. Rebates – What’s the Difference?
- The Three COVID-Era Stimulus Payments – A Quick Recap
- The 2025 Rumor Mill – What’s Really Going On
- The American Worker Rebate Act of 2025 – The Closest Thing to “Stimulus 4”
- Why Passing Another Check Is So Hard
- What This Means for Florida Residents
- Watch Out for Scams & Fake Stimulus Claims
- Other Relief Options That Could Happen
- Expert Outlook – Will We Ever See Another Check?
- Final Thoughts
- FAQs
1. Introduction – Why Everyone’s Talking About a Fourth Check
If you’ve seen headlines or TikToks claiming “a $2,000 stimulus is dropping this year,” you’re not alone. With inflation still squeezing wallets and housing costs at record highs, Floridians are understandably curious about the possibility of more federal relief.
But here’s the truth: there is no approved fourth stimulus check right now.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t proposals on the table or politicians talking about it — but there’s a big difference between an idea and a signed law.
Let’s break it down clearly and look at what’s really happening in 2025.
2. Stimulus Checks vs. Rebates – What’s the Difference?
A lot of online posts use “stimulus,” “rebate,” and “refund” interchangeably, but they aren’t always the same thing.
- Stimulus check: Direct payments from the federal government, often meant to boost consumer spending and kick-start the economy.
- Rebate: A refund of money you already paid (often via taxes). The 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit is a good example — it let you claim missing stimulus funds when filing taxes.
- Tax refund: Money you get back after the IRS reviews your tax return and determines you overpaid.
Why does this matter? Because most new proposals being discussed for 2025 (like the American Worker Rebate Act) are technically rebates, not pure stimulus checks. They’d likely be distributed through the tax system, not mailed out instantly to everyone.
3. The Three COVID-Era Stimulus Payments – A Quick Recap
Here’s a quick refresher on the three checks that did happen:
| Round | Amount | Key Dates | Law |
|---|---|---|---|
| EIP 1 | $1,200 per adult, $500 per child | Spring 2020 | CARES Act |
| EIP 2 | $600 per adult/child | Dec 2020 – Jan 2021 | COVID Relief Act |
| EIP 3 | $1,400 per adult/child | Mar 2021 – 2022 | American Rescue Plan |
If you missed any of these, you had until April 15, 2025 to claim them through the Recovery Rebate Credit (IRS.gov).
4. The 2025 Rumor Mill – What’s Really Going On
Recently, posts on Facebook, YouTube, and Reddit have claimed that $1,390 or even $2,000 checks are “on the way.” Some even mention a mysterious “DOGE dividend” of $5,000 per taxpayer — an idea floated by former President Trump about using “government efficiency savings” to send checks back to Americans.
Here’s what’s confirmed:
- The IRS has not announced a new round of stimulus checks (IRS Newsroom).
- Congress has not passed a bill approving direct payments for 2025 (Congress.gov).
- The IRS has even warned taxpayers to watch out for phishing texts and emails promising “new stimulus money” — these are scams designed to steal your personal information.
Bottom line? Until there’s a signed law, treat every viral post with caution.
5. The American Worker Rebate Act of 2025 – The Closest Thing to “Stimulus 4”
The most credible proposal floating around is Senator Josh Hawley’s American Worker Rebate Act of 2025 (full text here).
What It Would Do
- Send at least $600 per adult and child back to taxpayers, funded by U.S. tariff revenue.
- A family of four could receive $2,400.
- Higher earners would get reduced amounts once their income passes $75k (single) or $150k (married filing jointly).
- Payments would be structured as a refundable tax credit, similar to the COVID stimulus model.
Status
As of late September 2025, this bill has been introduced but has not passed Congress. It would still need Senate approval, House approval, and a presidential signature.
Roadblocks
Budget hawks argue this would increase the deficit or misuse tariff revenue, and some economists worry it might fuel inflation rather than fight it (Washington Post).
6. Why Passing Another Check Is So Hard
Even if politicians wanted to approve another payment, there are hurdles:
- Budget constraints: The U.S. national debt is now over $33 trillion, making new spending controversial.
- Inflation concerns: Extra cash could push prices higher, something the Federal Reserve is still fighting.
- Politics: Stimulus checks have become politically divisive — one party often frames them as “vital relief,” the other as “vote buying.”
- Timing: Passing a bill takes months, especially if tied to the annual budget process.
7. What This Means for Florida Residents
Florida, home to more than 23 million people, is not offering its own state “inflation relief” payments like California or Colorado have done in recent years (Kiplinger). If a federal rebate or stimulus passes, Floridians would be eligible under the same rules as every other state — but right now, there is nothing to claim.
8. Watch Out for Scams & Fake Stimulus Claims
The IRS has issued alerts about scam texts and calls promising “fast-track stimulus money.” Here are red flags:
✅ Check IRS.gov or Congress.gov first.
✅ Ignore unsolicited calls, texts, or emails. The IRS will never demand payment or banking info by phone.
✅ Avoid clicking links in suspicious messages claiming you must “register” for stimulus.
If in doubt, you can report scams to the FTC or IRS phishing division.
9. Other Relief Options That Could Happen
Even without a federal check, there are other ways relief could come:
- Expanded Child Tax Credit: Lawmakers have debated restoring the larger, monthly CTC payments from 2021.
- Property tax or rent rebates: Some states and local governments offer targeted relief for low-income homeowners and renters.
- Energy or utility assistance: Florida residents can check the LIHEAP program for help with power bills.
- SNAP and WIC expansions: Food assistance programs are sometimes increased during economic downturns.
10. Expert Outlook – Will We Ever See Another Check?
Economists are split. Some argue that tariff revenue rebates could act as a “middle-class tax cut” without adding as much to the deficit. Others warn that putting more money into circulation right now risks worsening inflation.
Political analysts point out that with a presidential election cycle coming up, the idea of sending checks to voters could gain traction — but the timeline likely pushes this into 2026 at the earliest.
11. Final Thoughts
So, should Floridians expect a check in the mail soon?
Probably not. No new stimulus is approved. The closest possibility — the American Worker Rebate Act — is still just a proposal.
The best move for now:
- Stay informed through official government sites.
- File taxes on time to ensure you receive any credits you’re owed.
- Be cautious about online claims that sound too good to be true.
12. FAQs
Q: Is there a 4th stimulus check for 2025?
A: No. The IRS confirms no new stimulus has been approved (IRS.gov).
Q: What about Trump’s “DOGE dividend”?
A: It’s just an idea, no legislation or signed order backs it.
Q: Can Florida issue its own check?
A: Yes, but the state hasn’t announced any such plan. Relief programs in Florida tend to focus on property tax exemptions and hurricane recovery assistance.
Q: How do I check my tax refund?
A: Use the IRS’s Where’s My Refund tool — it updates daily.
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