Discussions around the potential issuance of a stimulus check in 2025 continue among Americans and legislators.
The concept of a stimulus check first emerged on Twitter, proposing the utilization of DOGE savings to finance it. Elon Musk expressed intentions to discuss this matter with President Donald Trump. Trump has since publicly acknowledged the idea, mentioning that he and his advisors are contemplating allocating 20% of those savings to reduce debt and another 20% as direct payments to citizens.
However, you shouldn’t expect that check anytime soon. Here’s the latest information regarding DOGE stimulus checks, including public sentiment, potential mailing dates, and the meaning of DOGE in a governmental context.
Is DOGE providing financial relief?
There have been discussions about distributing a stimulus check to American households from federal funds freed up by DOGE’s job cuts.
Nonetheless, don’t anticipate receiving the funds or a check in the mail anytime soon. The DOGE stimulus check is still under discussion.
The authority to issue a check doesn’t solely lie with Trump. Congress would need to approve the plan before any federal stimulus payment could be made. Therefore, no checks will be disbursed at this moment, and there is no established timeline for payments.
Congressional officials have offered varying opinions on the proposal. While some lawmakers support the idea, others prefer to prioritize debt reduction or review the proposal before taking a stance.
Moreover, for the stimulus check to be viable, the department would need to accrue $2 trillion in savings, a target that Elon Musk has previously deemed challenging. If this materializes, it may take longer than anticipated.
When does the tax exemption on overtime begin? Details on Donald Trump’s promised tax reductions
Updates on DOGE stimulus checks
A recent J.L. Partners survey indicates robust support for a DOGE dividend, with 67% of respondents backing the stimulus.
Conducted from February 24-25, the study queried 1,001 registered voters regarding their views on the dividend.
Out of those surveyed, 46% indicated strong support for a DOGE dividend, while 21% expressed moderate support. Conversely, only 12% voiced any disapproval of the idea.
The survey also revealed that nearly 50% of respondents, regardless of profession or income, would view Trump more favorably if they received a stimulus and would be more inclined to vote for a Republican Congressional candidate. Generally, Americans expressed feelings of “happiness,” “relief,” “excitement,” and “gratitude” regarding potential checks.
Cybersecurity specialist Miguel Fornés from Surfshark cautioned Americans about the likelihood of scammers taking advantage of the dividend discussions to pose as government officials or manipulate individuals.
“It is crucial for people to remain vigilant and safeguard their personal information from potential cybercrimes. The new government initiatives and news on the DOGE dividend check could motivate ill-intended individuals to impersonate officials. Imagine being financially stretched and coming across an email about a potential DOGE dividend payment — such enticing information could be hard to resist,” Fornés stated in a press release.
What is DOGE? What is its political significance?
DOGE, short for the Department of Government Efficiency, primarily aims to identify avenues for budget cuts and regulatory reform. The name alludes to the cryptocurrency dogecoin.
Musk was appointed head of the department by Trump shortly after Trump’s election victory, and the department was formalized through an executive action on Trump’s first day in office.
Recent court documents have questioned Musk’s designation within DOGE, stating that he is a “senior advisor to the president” rather than the leader of the department. The filings also clarify that the department operates distinctly from the White House.
On Tuesday, the White House announced that Amy Gleason, a former official at the U.S. Digital Service, is serving as the acting DOGE administrator.
How much has DOGE saved?
As of March 2, the DOGE website claims to have saved $105 billion through a variety of methods including fraud detection, contract and lease cancellations, renegotiations, asset sales, grant cancellations, workforce reductions, program adjustments, and regulatory savings.
This totals approximately $652.17 for each taxpayer, as reported by the website.
The DOGE site asserts that it publishes records of its cost-cutting initiatives; however, many listed items pertain to canceled contracts across various federal departments and agencies.
This article was originally published in the Arizona Republic: Is DOGE providing financial relief? Here’s the latest on dividend checks
