BOSTON — The second round of checks will soon be sent to low-income workers in Massachusett is going out, as part of the COVID-19 Essential Employee Premium Pay program, which was passed by the Massachusetts Legislature and signed by Governor Baker in December 2021
The money is part of a $4 billion spending plan for American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Eligibility for the second round of payments mirrors those of the first round, according to the state.
Eligibility will be based on filed 2021 Massachusetts tax returns.
“But criteria have been updated for annual changes in minimum wage and federal poverty level calculations,” according to a statement from Administration & Finance.
Individuals are eligible for payments if their 2021 income from employment was at least $13,500 and their total income put them at or below 300% of the federal poverty level.
The lower bound of this range equates to working 20 hours a week for 50 weeks at minimum wage as of 2021 ($13.50).
The state says the federal poverty level is set by the federal government and increases with household or family size.
“For example, the maximum total income for a single filer with no dependents will be $38,640; a resident who files with a spouse and two dependents, or with no spouse and three dependents, could be eligible with a household income up to $79,500. Married filers can each be eligible, provided each independently qualifies. Based on these parameters, the below chart indicates eligibility for these payments by household size:
“Individuals who received a Round 1 payment through this program or received unemployment compensation in 2021 will not be eligible for the second round of payments, nor will Commonwealth executive branch employees who received or will receive a one-time COVID-related payment from the state as their employer,” according to the state.
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