Author: Kelly Cage
The United States Congress agreed in March 2020 to pass the Coronavirus Aid Relief Economic and Security (CARES) Act, a $2 trillion stimulus bill to help individuals and businesses affected by the pandemic.
It is the most extensive rescue package in U.S. history. While many of the programs ended last year, you may still qualify for assistance from the federal government with the latest update in the CARE Act.
What Is the CARES Act?
The Coronavirus Aid Relief, Economics, and Security (CARES) Act provided financial assistance to American workers, families, and businesses. It implemented several programs to address pandemic-related issues, such as healthcare, education, and unemployment. However, some of its programs ended last year, but others are still active and will be updated in 2022.
What Is new With the CARES Act?
Despite the pandemic’s persistence, some CARES Act programs have ended, while others remain in place.
Here are some of the most recent CARES Act updates:
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Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF III)
The CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) has been updated. The new HEERF III, in collaboration with the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA), is set to provide support to institutions for them to continue serving their students during the pandemic. To find out if you are eligible for the HEERF III student portion, check with your school and contact the financial aid office.
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Provider Relief Fund
As part of the CARES Act, the federal government allocated $30 billion to the Health Resources and Services Administration. The provider’s relief fund was intended to help healthcare professionals respond to the pandemic. However, due to a lack of funds, some of the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) programs, such as the COVID-19 Uninsured Program and the Coverage Assistance Fund, are no longer accepting claims.
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Stimulus Check
The stimulus check is intended to help low- and middle-income families. However, there have been some new updates for the fourth new stimulus payment, which may be distributed by the state. California, Delaware, Hawaii, New Mexico, New York, Illinois, and Maine are just a few of the states already that already distributes.
However, each state has different eligibility requirements for participants. California, for example, has several stimulus packages running concurrently. While states such as Delaware charge $300 for single filers and $600 for joint filers. If you live in one of the qualifying states, go to your state’s website to learn more.
Conclusion
Individuals, workers, and businesses are all eligible for financial assistance under the CARES Act. It hopes to continue to help Americans with its latest updates. If you are a resident of any of the qualifying states, you can apply for the new stimulus checks. You can apply for financial aid through the HEERF III program as a student and the provider relief fund as a healthcare professional.