Millions of Americans will be given a $450 relief check to deal with the high utility costs in about a week.
Governor of Maine, Janet Mills has already signed a $474 million package into law, this includes various measures to help and support residents in dealing with energy prices this upcoming winter.
This is funded by $283 million in revenues that the Revenue Forecasting Committee recently forecasted. The package is also using a $157 million allotted to the state from the federal American Rescue Plan Act.
Eligible Mainers will see a result in each receiving a one-time payment worth $450. The state has estimated that the average household will receive $900.
The move is coming as the Maine Public Utilities Commission announced that the electric rates for Central Maine Power Company customers would increase this January by 49% year-over-year.
In a statement, Mills said that with the high energy prices causing real hardship, this emergency measure will lessen the financial burden on Maine people by putting money back into the pockets of the residents and ensuring that their most vulnerable citizens can feel warm this winter.
Are You Qualified?
For you to be eligible, there are a few pieces of criteria you must meet. This includes you being a full-time resident that filed a 2021 tax return and wasn’t claimed as a dependent. There are also income restrictions apply, which are the followings:
– Single filers: Less than $100,000 per year
– Heads of household: Less than $ 150,000 per year
– Joint filers: Less than $200,000
Eligible Maine taxpayers won’t need further take action, as the relief checks will be sent to them automatically in mid-January.
The exact date has not been provided yet at this time. They estimated that almost 858,000 residents will be eligible for a check.
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