As of Friday, the state finance office reported that roughly 60% of newly approved energy relief payments had been distributed to qualified Maine households.
After being suggested by Democratic Governor Janet Mills in an emergency law, the legislature gave its approval to the $450 checks at the beginning of the month of January.
Where’s My Energy Relief Payments?
During a time when policymakers are searching for long-term answers to the problem of fluctuating energy prices, the governor has referred to the payments as a bandage to address the rising expenses of heating and electricity.
The payments are exempt from taxes levied by the state, and their structure is such that they should also be exempt from taxes levied by the federal government on income, although the IRS has not yet decided whether or not this is the case.
The agency recently came to the conclusion that state-issued reimbursements for pandemics and inflation are free from taxation.
Maine Revenue Services reportedly mailed the first 5,000 relief checks via the US Postal Service. The payments are expected to arrive in mailboxes later this week.
Beginning the following week, Maine Revenue Services will begin issuing an estimated 200,000 checks every week, and it is anticipated that the great majority of Mainers who are eligible will get their payment by the month’s end.
Through a brand new website developed by Maine Revenue Services, residents of Maine are now able to monitor the progress of their $450 energy relief checks.
Read more: Mortgage interest rates decline prompting 5% surge in refinancing applications
How To Be Eligible?
- Submitted their individual income tax return to the state of Maine for the year 2021 as a full-time resident of Maine by the deadline of October 31, 2022.
- Are not included on the tax return of another individual as a dependent.
- Have a federal adjusted gross income that is less than $100,000 if you file as a single person or if you are married but filing separately; $150,000 if you file as the head of household; or $200,000 if you file as a couple filing jointly.
Individuals who receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are still eligible for this aid. Even though those individuals do not typically file tax returns, the state did compel them to do so in order for them to get the earlier $850 checks.
It is anticipated that 880,000 Mainers will benefit from the $450 in heating assistance checks.
Read more: Tax refund update: Is your inflation relief check taxable?
