Stimulus checks: White House agrees to tighten eligibility rules for $1,400 direct payments

Jessica Smith
President Donald Trump's name is seen on a stimulus check issued by the IRS to help combat the adverse economic effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
President Donald Trump's name is seen on a stimulus check issued by the IRS to help combat the adverse economic effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

President Joe Biden has agreed to a faster phase-out of the $1,400 stimulus checks in the next relief package, according to two Democratic sources.

Moderate Democrats in the Senate, including Sen. Joe Manchin (D., W. Va.) have been urging Biden and Democratic leaders to further target the direct payments.

According to the sources, individuals making over $80,000 a year will no longer qualify for the payments — the cap in the House bill was $100,000. The limit for heads of households will be $120,000 a year, compared to $150,000 in the House bill. The ceiling for couples will now be $160,000 a year, versus $200,000.

Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D., Mich.) told reporters the agreement was a "reasonable compromise."

"I think we're really in a good spot and, frankly, the most important thing is to get this done," said Stabenow.

Moderate Democrats have also been pushing to lower the enhanced unemployment benefits to $300 per week, down from $400 per week. The House bill extends the benefits through Aug. 29, but progressives like Senate Finance Chairman Ron Wyden (D., Ore.) have been fighting to extend them through September.

Two Democratic sources said the Senate bill is expected to keep the benefits at $400 per week through the end of August.

"Adding $400 dollars per week to jobless benefits and covering gig workers and the self-employed is the boldest Congress has ever taken to support jobless Americans during an economic crisis," said Wyden in a statement to Yahoo Finance. "I pushed hard for keeping that sixth month of benefits and am going to fight like hell to extend them in August."

Wyden said he'll also continue to fight for long-term unemployment insurance reform and automatic stabilizers in the months ahead.

Progressives in the House — who are already upset that the minimum wage increase is not allowed in the package — have urged the Senate not to alter the relief package too much. The House will have to vote on any changes the Senate makes.

In an interview with Yahoo Finance Live, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D., Wash.) warned against tightening eligibility for stimulus checks or decreasing the weekly unemployment boost.

"It will be a real problem if this gets undermined in the Senate," said Jayapal.

Yahoo Finance has reached out to the White House and will update this story with any response.

Jessica Smith is chief political correspondent for Yahoo Finance, based in Washington, D.C. Follow her on Twitter at @JessicaASmith8.

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