Adult dependents snubbed from stimulus

A second round of stimulus payments recently made their way to Americans, but some of the most financially vulnerable people were entirely left out.  

Similar to the CARES Act, the checks were sent to eligible taxpayers and their dependents under 17. That means college students and adult dependents didn’t receive a penny from either package, even though many live on their own and are working.  

Congress passed the first round of stimulus checks back in March, two weeks after University of Idaho students were sent home for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester. The $2.2 trillion stimulus package dedicated money to local and state governments, corporations, small businesses, unemployment benefits and most notably, $1,200 direct payments to eligible taxpayers. Only dependent children under 17 years old were eligible for the additional $600 check to the taxpayer claiming them.  

The second stimulus package passed nearly 10 months later, mirrored the first bill in many ways but with far smaller checks.  

Several classifications indicated who would get a check, dependency being the deciding factor in most cases. Other stimulus proposals would have made adult dependents eligible, but those ultimately weren’t signed into law.  

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nonpartisan research and policy institute, estimates as many as 15 million older children and adult dependents were excluded from receiving the first stimulus check. Nearly four million of those are estimated to be college students aged 19 to 23, according to the institute.  

Many UI students claimed dependent on their parent’s taxes feel they met the financial requirements to qualify for the checks. Carter Bottom, a sophomore studying operations management, said he feels like an independent, despite his parents claiming him.  

“They don’t pay for my college, living expenses, or anything,” Bottom said. “I feel a bit cheated. I would’ve used that money to pay off some of my tuition.”  

Universities across the country were allotted a significant amount of funding from both stimulus packages, allowing them to distribute money to financially vulnerable students. According to UI’s website, the institution was allotted $6,905,296. Half of that money will go directly to students, with the other half being used to “offset institutional costs.”  

Eligible students received $513 last spring and were given the opportunity to apply for additional CARES Act funding in October. Another round of $513 payments is set to arrive in eligible students’ checking accounts sometime at the beginning of this semester.  

Herman Roberts, a first-year student majoring in food science, relies on his own income to pay for day-to-day necessities.  

“I’m in the gray space between independent and dependent where I mainly rely on myself and my own income,” Roberts said. “However, I do rely on my parents slightly for other financial support.”  

Both Bottom and Roberts feel frustrated with Congress’ efforts to exclude adult dependents from receiving any form of direct government aid, despite their need for it. They feel as though efforts to direct aid to those who need it fell short.  

“Considering college students are at a very unique stage in life, I would argue they need it the most,” Roberts said. “I have no explanation as to why they wouldn’t have included me or other college dependents.”  

While financially independent college students may be worried they won’t receive a stimulus payment, those who file their taxes independently may be eligible for a payment. Individuals above the age threshold are eligible for a stimulus payment, but only if another taxpayer doesn’t claim them as a dependent.

Young adults who didn’t file on their own in 2019 but will file independently in 2020 can still receive their first stimulus check, albeit a little late. Taxpayers who did not receive the payments will be able to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit from the CARES Act on their 2020 tax returns with Form 1040 or 1040-SR, according to the Internal Revenue Service. This applies to both economic impact payments administered over the last year.

In addition, President Joe Biden recently presented a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill that seeks to include adult dependents for $1,400 direct payments, as well as accomplish a $15 per hour federal minimum wage and $10,000 in student loan repayment. With a slim Democrat majority in both the House of Representatives and Senate, the bill is more likely to pass, although it may need Republican support to so.  

“I’m very hopeful for the future and upcoming months,” Roberts said. “Hopefully, Congress can pass legislation that will help college students and other groups of people in need.” 

Carter Kolpitcke can be reached at [email protected].