Misleading Government Stimulus Checks Hurt Families

Are you watching your mailbox or bank account for your government stimulus check? If you are like many Americans, you have heard all the information on television, the radio and the internet about this fabulous stimulus package that was passed by the government to help the economy. Whether you are Democrat or Republican does not matter when the cash enters your bank account, but could misleading information about the government stimulus checks be hurting families?

We have all heard that most Americans will be getting money from the government. With the outrageous gas prices and rising costs at the supermarket, we are all anxiously awaiting the extra money to arrive. The public seems to understand that most Americans will be receiving $600 per adult and $300 for each qualifying child. Doesn't that sound great for families? As a family of six, I know I will be calling the bank tomorrow in hopes of a hefty deposit to my checking account.

Upon hearing that the government stimulus payments may be deposited early, I called the bank just to check. No money for my family early, but hey, no rush, right? We could still securely expect our money on the expected date for the anticipated amount.

Well, that may not be the case. Upon discussing the stimulus payments with a worker at my bank, I learned that many of the government stimulus deposits have been less than most were expecting. Two of my close friends received their stimulus payments in the early days of the deposits and their amounts were hundreds of dollars less than expected.

Don't get me wrong, receiving money from the government is a gift in itself, but the payments are really hurting families. Those families who were expecting $2100 and only getting $1800 are really surprised. What if they were putting that money aside to pay for their winter fuel bill or summer school tuition? Would they be able to pay for these important items with the lowered payments?