Politics & Government

COVID-19 Relief Bill Signed Into Law: What NJ Needs To Know

New Jerseyans will soon get $1,400 checks in their bank accounts and a boost for vaccines and keeping schools open. Here's what's next.

(Shutterstock photo)

NEW JERSEY - More aid for cash-strapped and pandemic-weary New Jerseyans could soon be on the way now that President Biden signed into law a final version of the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package on Thursday. And many New Jerseyans should expect $1,400 checks to arrive very soon (see details below).

The goal was to pass the American Rescue Plan, which aims to combat the pandemic and bolster the U.S. economy. Biden wanted to sign it into law by March 14th, the day emergency jobless benefits expire.

As with the Senate version, House Republicans were unanimous in their opposition to the bill. All 10 Democrats in New Jersey voted for the measure, while both GOP members, Chris Smith and Jeff Van Drew, voted against it.

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“New Jerseyans are finally going to see the relief they’ve needed for far too long,” said Rep. Mike Sherrill (NJ-11). “Communities across North Jersey have borne the brunt of this crisis and this package will go a long way in helping support our families and businesses. The American Rescue Plan provides the funding needed to get our kids back in school safely, support our small businesses, keep roofs over the heads of those struggling to make rent and mortgage payments, and bolster crucial vaccine distribution efforts that will finally get this pandemic under control.”

“At moments of enormous national crisis, government has risen to the moment. The American Rescue Plan does so once more,” said Rep. Bill Pascrell (NJ-9). “This is one of the most significant pieces of legislation Congress will pass this generation. The American Rescue Plan will lift millions of Americans from poverty and our nation from its knees.”

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Gov. Phil Murphy similarly called the package a “relief” for residents of New Jersey and beyond:

“A great day for New Jersey and our nation as Congress sends the American Rescue Plan to @POTUS’s desk,” Murphy tweeted. “From vaccination resources to direct checks, this package will deliver real, bold relief for our people and our state. Help is on the way!”

Here’s what New Jersey residents can expect from the relief package:

Stimulus Checks

Most notably, the measure will provide the much-anticipated $1,400 payments to individuals who meet certain income criteria.

The maximum amount for the third round of stimulus checks will be $1,400 for any eligible individual or $2,800 per eligible couple filing taxes jointly. Each eligible dependent — including adult dependents — also will qualify for a payment of $1,400. That means a family of four could receive as much as $5,600 in total.

Checks of up to $1,400 will go to individuals making $80,000 or less, single parents earning up to $120,000 and couples with household income of less than $160,000.

CNET first reported that checks sent to direct deposit accounts could start going out the week of March 17, but the Biden administration indicated on Thursday that it could be earlier. Paper checks could start being mailed the following week.

Boosting vaccines and testing

Tens of billions of dollars will fund coronavirus testing and contact tracing, increase the size of the public health workforce and fund vaccine distribution and supply chains, according to The Washington Post.

Biden said there will be enough coronavirus vaccine doses for every adult in America by the end of May, The Post reported.

School support

The bill includes almost $130 billion to help K-12 schools reopen, according to The Post. That money would fund improving ventilation systems, reducing class sizes, buying personal protective equipment and implementing social distancing, according to The Post.

Child Tax Credit

One big benefit that could help families around the country is a boost in the child tax credit.
The credit, which is now at a maximum of $2,000, is being raised to as much as $3,600 per child under 6 and $3,000 per child between the ages of 6 and 16 for 2021. It will be paid out in monthly installments starting in July and will include more low-income households.

The expanded credit begins to phase out for those earning $75,000 a year or $150,000 for couples.

More Federal Aid

In addition to direct payments, the legislation would provide hundreds of billions of dollars for colleges, mass transit systems, renters and small businesses.

It also has money for child care and assistance for states willing to expand Medicaid coverage for low-income residents.

Federal unemployment payments of $300 per week will be extended through Sept. 6.

An increase in the minimum wage was not a part of the House bill that just passed, though an earlier version of the bill did.

With reporting by Michael Woyton.


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