If you were hoping for a $5,000 DOGE check to hit your mailbox soon, you might want to hold off on celebrating. There is a big catch that could stop millions of Americans from qualifying for this payment. Let us walk through what is happening, who is likely to miss out, and why.
Who would not qualify for the DOGE check based on income
The biggest thing to understand about the DOGE check is that it may not go to everyone. In fact, the current idea being tossed around suggests a strict income requirement. If your yearly income is under $40,000, you may not be eligible for this stimulus.
That may come as a surprise. Normally, people with lower incomes are the ones who benefit the most from government assistance. But in this case, the thinking is a little different. According to the proposal:
- People making less than $40,000 may receive more in tax credits than they pay in.
- Because of that, they may not be seen as contributing taxpayers under this plan.
- This puts many low-income households outside of the target group for the check.
So, if your income is below that threshold, you might be counted out—even though you might need the help the most.
What is the DOGE check supposed to be
Let us clear this up—DOGE does not have anything to do with the Dogecoin cryptocurrency. DOGE stands for Department of Government Efficiency, a government effort to cut down on waste and lower operating costs.
The idea came from entrepreneur James Fishback, who suggested that part of the savings from this program be returned to taxpayers as a form of tax refund. The amount being talked about is up to $5,000 per household, depending on how much DOGE actually saves.
Here are a few things to know:
- The funds would come from DOGE savings, not from new money being printed.
- These checks would not cause inflation, unlike COVID-19 stimulus checks.
- The proposed checks are per household, not per individual.
- You may have to meet certain tax-paying requirements to be eligible.
Could Social Security recipients qualify for the DOGE check
This is a question many people are asking. Right now, there is no clear answer. However, if a Social Security recipient files taxes and meets the income rules, there is a chance they could qualify.
Keep in mind:
- The check is not confirmed yet, and there is still a lot of debate over how it would work.
- Eligibility would likely depend on tax filing history and household income.
- SSA recipients who do not file taxes or have low taxable income could be left out.
How realistic is the $5,000 amount
The idea of a $5,000 check sounds great, but it depends on how much the DOGE program actually saves. Fishback suggested returning 20% of DOGE savings to the public. But:
- If the savings are low, the checks could be much smaller.
- It is still just a proposal, not something that has been signed into law.
- The amount could also vary by household depending on how the program is structured.
This is one proposal to watch, but as exciting as it sounds, it might not reach everyone—especially if you earn less than $40,000 a year.
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