Millions Still Waiting for Virus Payments as Congress Mulls More

The poorest Americans are among the least likely to have received a direct payment authorized by the federal government four months ago. While they continue to wait for their first relief check, lawmakers are talking about sending out another round.

The IRS has issued about 160 million economic impact payments approved under March’s CARES Act (Public Law 116-136), distributing hundreds of billions of dollars in aid through direct deposits, paper checks, and prepaid debit cards. But that leaves millions of eligible people who haven’t received a payment of up to $1,200 per individual and $2,400 for ...