Stimulus checks were a great relief for many Americans during the pandemic. Although the federal government has not continued this process, many state governments have been awarding their residents with extra money. Tacoma is only one of the latest cities to continue this financial aid, and here is what you need to know.
$500 Stimulus Checks Qualifications
While everyone’s talking about the possibility of a fourth stimulus check, the Social Security Administration has brought back the $500 stimulus check program—specifically for Tacoma, Washington. This one-time payment is designed to help low-income residents struggling with the rising costs of housing, food, gas, and other essentials.
If you live in Tacoma and want to qualify for the $500, here’s what you need to know: you must be at least 18 years old, have lived in Tacoma for at least 12 months, have a household income at or below 60% of the area median income, and have faced economic hardship due to COVID-19. If that’s you, then this payment could be a big help!
How to Get Your $500 Stimulus Payment
To get your hands on the $500 stimulus payment, you’ll need to fill out an application form, which will be available on the city’s website soon. After you get the form, print it, sign it, and mail it in before the July 1, 2025, deadline. Just remember, late applications won’t be accepted, so don’t miss the deadline!
When you fill out the application, you’ll need to include a few key pieces of information: your full legal name, current mailing address, phone number, email address (if you have one), and date of birth. You’ll also need to attach some documents to prove you qualify. This means a copy of a valid government-issued ID and some proof that you’ve lived in Tacoma for at least 12 months straight, like utility bills or bank statements.
Once your application is approved, you’ll receive the one-time $500 stimulus payment in the mail, either as a check or via direct deposit. The money usually arrives after approval in 2-3 weeks.
If you’re interested in the Tacoma stimulus check program, here are the eligibility requirements, according to the United Way of Pierce County (UWPC):
- Primary Caregiver: You must be the primary caregiver for children under 17 or up to 21 if they have special needs.
- Zip Codes: You need to live in one of these Tacoma zip codes: 98444, 98445, 98405, 98408, 98409, 98418, or 98404.
- Household Head: You must be the sole head of household with children who meet the age requirements.
- One Application Per Household: Only one application is allowed per household.
- Income Limit: Your income should be between 100% and 200% of the federal poverty line.
More about the Tacoma program
Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, the $500 stimulus check program is expected to reach 8,000 households and help many families and individuals in need. Like many cities across the United States, Tacoma has been dramatically impacted by the pandemic and inflation.
The guaranteed income (GI) experiment in Tacoma emerged from economic studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. The Growing Resilience in Tacoma (GRIT) program was designed to explore the impact of direct cash payments on reducing poverty in the Tacoma community. GRIT has received over 2,000 applications so far, aiming to provide financial stability to local families over the next year, with a possible extension for another month.
This program targets families whose income is slightly above the threshold for traditional public assistance but not enough to cover basic needs. The Tacoma stimulus check program is focused on reshaping narratives around poverty and who “deserves” support. GRIT not only works on distributing stimulus checks but also advocates for guaranteed income laws at the state level in Washington.
Stimulus Checks After COVID-19
From April 2024 to June 2025, United Way of Pierce County, the program’s operator, will distribute stimulus checks to 175 residents in Tacoma. The goal is to use the data from this project to show that poverty is driven by systemic issues rather than individual shortcomings. Guaranteed income programs gained traction during the pandemic, sparking discussions about universal basic income, which would provide a consistent cash benefit to everyone regardless of income, addressing some of the limitations of traditional welfare programs.
Once the stimulus checks are fully distributed, the researchers and program managers hope to understand how this guaranteed income approach impacts households in Tacoma. These insights could help refine current programs or even pave the way for similar initiatives across the U.S. Let’s hope the program does well and can continue to help more people.