Major deadline change for those eligible to get $1,000 rebate checks (2024)

10th Jun 2024, 10:00By Matthew Aquino

Individuals can't claim payments

Now that payments have begun going out, several claimants have said they've had problems collecting the money.

"Did anyone get a[n] email from the Juul settlement saying they couldn't verify payment selection?" one recipient asked in a Facebook post.

"It still won't let me verify my payment information," someone replied.

Some people had luck after contacting out over the phone for help, but many said calling didn't help.

"It's super frustrating and the worst setup ever," one claimant commented on a post.

10th Jun 2024, 09:30By Matthew Aquino

Electric cigarette company pays out millions

Juul, theelectric cigarettecompany, was ordered to pay $300 million to eligible Americans after aclass action lawsuitwas filed.

Plaintiffs alleged that Juul Labs and Altria had concealed safety concerns and participated in false advertising.

The lawsuit accused the companies of neglecting to include information in marketing that noted the addictive qualities and health impacts of Juul use.

The suit also alleged the companies targeted minors with advertisem*nts.

Both companies denied any wrongdoing but agreed to the payout. Juul Labs paid $255 million, and Altria paid $45 million.

10th Jun 2024, 09:00By Matthew Aquino

More on the Amazon settlement

Amazon denied any wrongdoing but did agree to the multi-million dollar settlement to resolve the issue.

Class members can receive a cash payment based on the amount Amazon allegedly owes them in overtime wages.

No claim form is required, and settlement payments will be automatically sent out.

Paymentswill vary but are expected to be $565.43 on average.

10th Jun 2024, 08:30By Matthew Aquino

Amazon pays out millions

Californians who worked forAmazonand received certain bonuses may be eligible to file a claim.

Thelawsuitclaims Amazon violated state laws by underpaying overtime wages for nearly seven years.

Plaintiffs claim employees who received a signing bonus and/or sign-on bonus in the same week when they worked overtime were underpaid.

The case argues that the regular pay rate should have been calculated to include any bonuses.

This only affects employees who worked overtime between July 22, 2017, and November 7, 2023.

10th Jun 2024, 08:00By Matthew Aquino

California residents must meet 6 criteria for checks

To receive the CalEITC checks, you must meet the following criteria:

• Filed your 2022 taxes
• Qualified for the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC)
• Utilized an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for tax filing
• Had a total California Adjusted Gross Income (CA AGI) of $75,000 or less.
• Resided in California for more than half of the 2020 tax year.
• Were not claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer.

CASH HELP Americans to get one-time rebate up to $12k but you need to meet a key criteria

10th Jun 2024, 07:30By Matthew Aquino

EITC on the way for Californians

TheCaliforniastate government offered a boosted Earned Income Tax Credit for lower-income taxpayers.

Those who filed their taxes by the April 15 deadline, can expect a return from the state of up to $3,529.

Those who qualify for the checks may also see an additional tax refund from the Young Child Tax Credit, up to $1,117.

10th Jun 2024, 07:00By Matthew Aquino

Steps to apply for LIHEAP benefits

For help applying forLIHEAP benefits, you can call this toll-free number: 1-866-674-6327.

Be aware that even if you qualify for the program, you’re not guaranteed to get help.

This is due to the funding availability.

10th Jun 2024, 06:00By Matthew Aquino

What to know about LIHEAP

The Low Income Energy Assistance Program provides financial helpto eligible families for theirenergy bills.

If a family is eligible they can receive help with heating and cooling costs, bill payment support, energy crisis assistance as well as energy-related home repairs.

The grants range from $200 to $1,000 each year and are issued via states, which receive funding from the Department of Health and Human Services.

Plenty of states only give out the grants once a year, while others let you apply three times a year.

Claimants of other federal benefit programs, such asSNAP,SSI, and TANF, may also automatically qualify for support.

SAY WATT Low-income families can get up to $1,000 to help with energy bills

10th Jun 2024, 05:00By Matthew Aquino

Going solar earns you extra money

Astimulus check worth up to $6,000is available to Americans who made anenvironmentalinvestment.

Those who installed solar panels on theirhomesduring the last tax year can claim atax deductionworth 30% of the investment those homeowners made.

Thecreditcannot be issued as a refund, so thetax liability has to be worth more than 30% of the installation cost.

The credit covers solar panels or PV cells, solar water heaters,energystorage devices, permit fees, inspection costs, and more.

10th Jun 2024, 04:00By Matthew Aquino

Learn more about stimulus checks

Stimulus checksgained popularity during the onset of thepandemic.

They were designed to provide relief to Americans and give the economy a boost during a financial downturn.

At the federal level, three major economic relief packages were passed, beginning in early 2020.

They included stimulus checks ranging from $600 to $1,400.

CLAIM YOUR MONEY How do I claim my stimulus check? Step by step guide

10th Jun 2024, 03:00By Matthew Aquino

Expert shares budgeting tips

Ex-wallstreet tradershares her top five tips for budgeting and saving on her TikTok.

• Try saving three to six months’ worth of expenses and anything over that should go into a high-yield savings account.
• Pay debts in order of greatest to least amount of interest.
• Set up an IRA and/or Roth IRA and remember to invest the money in the account. No investment is a sure thing, but you can focus on low-risk investments for a long-term more stable payout.
• Invest in stock/bonds, yourself, and any side hustles you are passionate about.
• Plan for future expenses.

10th Jun 2024, 02:00By Matthew Aquino

Pocket some extra cash: Tutoring

Tutors provide academic instruction to students or small groups outside of the classroom.

While there are many ways to become a tutor, this side hustle normally requires you to at least have a college degree. You can also get certified and start working for tutoring companies

Depending on the state and subject, some tutors can make up to $400 a month.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2015, tutors earned an average national salary of nearly $25,000.

10th Jun 2024, 01:00By Matthew Aquino

Pocket some extra cash: Virtual assistant

The pandemic changed the way many work as tons of jobs became virtual.

Virtual assisting is a great way to make extra cash as you may only have to work a few hours a day.

Being a virtual assistant may look different for each client that hires you, but it will most likely include supporting business owners and taking on certain tasks they don’t have time for.

You may be answering emails, managing social media engagement, data entry, scheduling appointments, graphic design, writing newsletters or creating content.

Many virtual assistants are able to set their own price but typically they start at $25 an hour.

10th Jun 2024, 00:00By Matthew Aquino

Pocket some extra cash: Professional organizer

With the help of shows like The Home Edit and other popular organizers like Marie Kondo,organizinghas become popular and a lucrative side hustle.

Organizers teach their clients skills so they can work on arranging their own things themselves.

While there’s no set pricing for this job, many organizers charge anywhere from $35 to $100 per hour.

You can also earn more money if you choose to become certified; certified professional organizers are not only able to charge more – about $50 an hour more- but many also teach.

10th Jun 2024, 23:30By Matthew Aquino

Pocket some extra cash: Delivery service driver

It seems like these days you can get anything delivered – food, groceries, and many other goods.

Depending on where you live and which company you choose to work for, some earn anywhere from $10-$20 an hour, plus tips.

Here are a few companies to choose from.

• Instacartshopper:many shoppers earn approximately $15 to $20 per hour
• Grubhub:drivers can start at $18 an hour
• Doordash:dashers nationally earn$25 per hourthey work, plus they keep 100% of their tips
• Uber Eats:Uber pays $14.40 per hour which is pretty low, but they do pay 45 cents or 55 cents more for fuel, depending on your location

10th Jun 2024, 23:00By Matthew Aquino

More on EITC

The Earned Income Tax Credit is available for select taxpayers who meet the income limits.

The maximumtax creditfor 2023 ranges from $600 to $7,430.

The credit helps more than just low-income families, with the following circ*mstances also counting as qualifications:

• Lost a job
• Took a pay cut
• Worked less hours during the year

A tax return must be filed to qualify for the EITC refund. Those who don’t owe taxes still have to file to receive the credit.

10th Jun 2024, 22:30By Matthew Aquino

Breaking down EITC

Earned Income Tax Credit(EITC) is available if you work and earn below a certain maximumadjusted gross income (AGI), whichwe’ve rounded up below:

Filing as single, head of household, or widowed:

• No children – AGI of $16,480
• One child – AGI of $43,492
• Two children – AGI of $49,399
• Three children – AGI of $53,057

Filing asmarriedfiling jointly:

• No children – AGI of $22,610
• One child – AGI of $49,622
• Two children – AGI of $55,529
• Three children – AGI of $59,187

10th Jun 2024, 22:00By Matthew Aquino

Economic stimulus launches in New Jersey, continued

To qualify for money, you must be a veteran living in Burlington County, New Jersey.

The money will be aimed specifically at those businesses that incurred losses due to theCovid-19pandemic.

For the program, that means you must be able to demonstrate at least a 25% loss in annual gross receipts in 2020.

10th Jun 2024, 21:30By Matthew Aquino

Economic stimulus launches in New Jersey

New Jerseyresidents may be eligible for payments of up to $20,000 from a major economic stimulus package.

The grant program is aimed at building up veteran-owned businesses in parts ofNew Jersey.

Funded with dollars from theBidenadministration’sAmerican Rescue Plan, the Burlington County Commissioners have announced they’ll offer the major payments out of a $500,000 pot.

The Burlington County Military and Veteran-owned Business Grant Program launched last month, according toThe Trentonian.

Applications are now open and will be accepted on a rolling basis until the $500,000 total is exhausted, the paper said.

10th Jun 2024, 21:00By Matthew Aquino

Don't wait to claim your cash

Beneficiaries have a two-year window to activate their cards and access their funds, but they must contact FTB officials at 1-800-240-0223 to initiate the process.

Reminder letters will be sent out, as stated by the FTB.

Individuals who believe they haven’t received their card or need to report it as lost or stolen should also contact the same number to request a replacement.

According to the FTB, a significant portion of the cards that have been activated or utilized by beneficiaries still contain unused funds.

Only 46 percent of the cards have a balance of zero.

CASH DASH Americans can get payment up to $1,050 - 600k checks expire if they go unclaimed

10th Jun 2024, 20:30By Matthew Aquino

Unclaimed cash in California, part three

An analysis byCalifornia’sFranchise Tax Board (FTB), reported by Los Angeles TV station KTLA, revealed that a significant number of residents have not claimed the money they are entitled to.

Approximately 7.2 million Californians received their Middle-Class Tax Refund (MCTR) payments directly into their bank accounts, totaling $4 billion.

An additional 9.6 million people were mailed special debit cards, with those funds amounting to $5.2 billion.

According to the FTB, only 90 percent of these preloaded cards have been activated, and another 3.5 percent were converted to checks.

This leaves about 624,000 cards unused, with the unclaimed money on these cards totaling $125 million, KTLA reported.

10th Jun 2024, 20:00By Matthew Aquino

Unclaimed cash in California, part two

Officially known as the Middle-Class Tax Refund (MCTR), this one-time payment was intended to assist Californians with the rising cost of living as inflation surged in 2022.

The amounts allocated to individuals varied based on their circ*mstances, ranging from approximately $200 to $1,050.

Some residents received thecashdirectly in their bank accounts, while others were sent debit cards loaded with the benefits. However, more than half a million of these cards have yet to be activated.

Any unused benefits will no longer be accessible after the program expires on April 30, 2026.

9th Jun 2024, 19:30By Matthew Aquino

Thousands of dollars go unclaimed in California

An analysis has revealed that a cash pot of at least $125 million remains unclaimed because hundreds of thousands of people have not collected the financial assistance provided to them.

InCalifornia, 624,000 residents have not taken advantage of the inflation reliefpaymentsdistributed to everyone except the state’s wealthiest residents, per aNewsweekreport.

The first payments were issued in October 2022, and the program concluded in September 2023.

9th Jun 2024, 19:00By Matthew Aquino

New York volunteers awarded grants

Those who volunteer in emergency response units in Long Island,New York, could get up to $50,000 to buy a home.

Long Island Homes for Heroes is a program “firmly committed to supporting those who tirelessly serve our community, often without recognition or reward,” according to itswebsite.

We strive to fill this crucial funding void, offering an innovative solution through generous donations from our community, LIHomesfor Heroes states.

“Our goal is to provide the required ‘matching’ funds that our volunteer first responders need to access LIHP’s financial assistance.”

LI Homes for Heroesstated: “Applicants may receive up to $26,000 in down payment assistance and $24,000 for repairs if eligible for Category I (at or below 80% of the Area Median Income) and up to $9,000 in down payment assistance and $14,000 for repairs if eligible for Category II (at or below 120% of the Area Median Income).”

9th Jun 2024, 18:30By Matthew Aquino

More on RX Kids

Flint residents who were pregnant or had a baby born as of January 1, 2024, can complete abrief application onlineto start receiving payments.

Local pediatrician Mona Hanna-Attisha runs the program.

RX Kidsis a public-private partnership that is estimated to cost $55 million for five years of newborns. Over $43 million has been raised to help moms and their babies live more stable and healthier lives.