Stimulus checks worth up to $1,000 are being sent out to some Americans – here’s how to check if you’ll get one

STIMULUS checks worth up to $1,000 are being sent out to teachers and key workers in some states.

The extra cash is seen as a “thank you” gesture to those who have worked throughout the pandemic and in some instances a tool to prevent staff resignations.

Lawmakers in Georgia signed off on $1,000 checks that cover nearly every teacher and member of staff, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Bus drivers and canteen staff are also in line to receive the extra stimulus cash.

The checks cost in the region of $200million, according to reports.

And in Berkeley, California, around $2.8million is being used to give teachers a 3.5 percent bonus ahead of the upcoming school year.

Some parents appeared to be slightly skeptical about giving teachers a cash boost.

Mom Lindsay Nofelt, of Berkeley, said the stimulus cash should be used to help boost attainment levels in maths and science.

She told the Journal: “I’m the last person to say ‘don’t pay teachers’. However, it should come from the appropriate bond.”

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In Florida, more than 170,000 teachers are expected to receive a $1,000 payment in their mailboxes in the coming weeks.

The payments, which are due to be sent out later this summer, came as part of a $101.5 billion state budget signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis in early July.

DeSantis said: "We know that the pandemic put an awful lot of strain on our first responders, EMTs, sworn law enforcement, firefighters and so we believe that we should recognize their sacrifice over the last year."

The one-time payment was first proposed by the Republican Governor in March.

The state budget has set aside over $400 million to pay for the bonuses.

Some officials appear to be skeptical as Nancy Velardi, president of the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association, claimed the Florida Governor is “Trumping it”.

'RECOGNIZING SACRIFICE'

The accusations were dismissed by the state's education commissioner Richard Corcoran.

The bonuses for the teachers will come from funds in the third round of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund.

Teachers in Michigan received $500 as part of the MI Classroom Heroes Grants proposal, MLive reported.

More than $50million was dedicated for teachers and around $20million was set aside for support staff.

The grants were for teachers in K-12 full or part-time education and didn't apply to substitutes.

The state Treasury Department mailed the checks from February 25.

Teacher bonuses have not yet been introduced by the White House so state lawmakers must put forward proposals.

Earlier this month, Hawaii Gov. David Ige vetoed a proposal that would have seen teachers pocket up to $2,200 in extra cash, WTOP reports.

Bonuses have not yet been introduced in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.