States are continuing to come up with direct and indirect benefits to assist low-income residents amid the rising cost of living. The latest state to do so is Maryland, which has come up with water stimulus checks. Maryland’s water assistance program will benefit residents whose water bills are 30 days or more past due.
Maryland’s water stimulus checks: who will get it?
The Maryland Department of Human Services has come up with the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program. Eligible families whose water bills are 30 days or more past due can get up to $2,000 under the program.
Q1 2022 hedge fund letters, conferences and more
Along with helping families pay their overdue bills, the assistance would help households whose water or wastewater services have been disconnected because of outstanding water bills. The assistance would also help reconnect household water services.
For instance, if someone has received a notice that their water connection has been disconnected due to an unpaid balance, then they will use the water stimulus check to pay all or part of the bill. Similarly, if any household is unable to pay their current water bills, then they may qualify for the water stimulus checks to pay some or all of their water bills.
“No family or child should go without access to water because of challenges paying bills,” the Department of Human Services Secretary said. “With the launch of the new water assistance program, Maryland is expanding access to more affordable water for low-income households.”
According to the Maryland Department of Human Services, the program is on a first-come, first-serve basis and will continue until all federal funds are exhausted.
To get more information on the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program and to apply, visit the myMD THINK consumer portal. Moreover, you can contact the Department’s Local Home Energy Program Office to get information on how to apply offline.
What Are Other States Doing?
Several other states are also working on helping their residents in one way or another. New York, for instance, has come up with a $2 billion Excluded Workers Fund. Under the program, undocumented workers earning less than $26,208 in 2020 and left out of the previous stimulus programs will get a stimulus payment. The program was expanded in 2022.
Idaho is also sending a tax rebate of $75 per taxpayer and dependent, while Georgia residents who filed 2021 and 2020 tax returns will get extra tax credits this year. Similarly, Indiana plans on giving a tax refund of $125 to everyone who filed their 2021 taxes. New Mexico is providing $250 to individuals with income of up to $75,000 and $500 to joint filers earning $150,000.
New Jersey has approved a budget measure to send a one-time stimulus check of up to $500 to nearly 1 million families. Connecticut, on the other hand, has suspended gas taxes until June 30, 2022, while Maryland suspended gas taxes through April 18, 2022.