Georgia getting a $2,000 stimulus check in February 2026? Latest info

Are new federal stimulus checks coming in January?
President Trump has suggested $2,000 checks could be funded by tariff revenue, though experts doubt there’s enough money collected so far.
President Donald Trump recently emphasized his intentions of sending $2,000 stimulus checks to Americans to alleviate the impact of tariffs, but he still hasn’t provided a clear timeline for when that might happen.
In an interview that aired Feb. 4, Trump told “NBC Nightly News” anchor Tom Llamas “I’m looking at it very seriously….I haven’t made my commitment yet, but I may make my commitment.”
The reality of the stimulus checks rests on several factors, including a looming Supreme Court decision over the legality of Trump’s tariffs. Justices heard arguments in November. The Supreme Court’s ruling will ultimately determine if the collection of the funds was constitutional, thus either allowing or preventing the president from gifting Americans the money generated.
Despite speculation that the checks already being processed — likely due to misleading social media posts referencing old proposals — the Trump administration has not confirmed how or when the checks would be disbursed, so Georgians should treat viral claims about immediate stimulus checks with caution, as they could be misinformation or attempted fraud.
Here’s the latest verified information on stimulus checks in February 2026 and updates on previous talk of checks.
What’s a stimulus check?
Stimulus checks are direct cash payments that the federal government issues to offer financial relief for Americans during periods of economic instability. The last round of federal stimulus checks was issued during the COVID-19 pandemic, when millions received up to $1,400 through the American Rescue Plan Act. Since then, no national stimulus checks have been approved, and the deadline to claim the COVID stimulus checks has already passed.
Are we getting $2,000 stimulus check in February 2026 from the IRS?
In early November, Trump floated the idea of issuing a $2,000 dividend to “middle income people and lower income people” from the “hundreds of millions of dollars” collected in tariff revenues. However, later that month, Costco and other American business owners filed lawsuits against the Trump administration, seeking a “complete refund” of tariffs paid on imported goods if the Supreme Court decides to strike down tariffs imposed under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
The Supreme Court could issue a ruling soon on whether to strike down all or part of the tariffs and clarify how importers would receive tariff refunds. White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said that tariff dividend checks would likely need Congressional approval, adding “the deficit relative to last year is down by $600 billion and so, in the summer, I wasn’t so sure that there was space for a check like that. But now I’m pretty sure that there is.”
On the looming Supreme Court tariff decision, Hassett said “It’s going to be pretty unlikely that they’re going to call for widespread refunds, because it would be an administrative problem to get those refunds out to there.”
What is the tariff dividend payment status? Supreme Court tariff decision
The Supreme Court has not yet ruled on a case that will determine whether the tariffs set by the president are constitutional. Justices heard arguments Nov. 5. If they determine they’re illegal, the government might have to give back billions of dollars to U.S.-based businesses and citizens who paid them.
The president said in a Jan. 5 Truth Social post, that the nation has “taken in, and will soon be receiving, more than 600 Billion Dollars in Tariffs, but the Fake News Media refuses to talk about it because they hate and disrespect our Country, and want to interfere with the upcoming Tariff decision, one of the most important ever, of the United States Supreme Court.”
The $600 billion figure doesn’t match what his administration has released. The U.S. last year reportedly collected more than $200 billion in tariffs from Jan. 20 to Dec. 15, according to information from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Estimates from three nonpartisan groups all showed that the dividend payments could cost more than tariffs bring in over the course of a year, with two saying the price tag is over $600 billion.
Who would be eligible for Trump’s $2000 tariff dividend?
Based on Trump’s recent comments about the $2,000 tariff dividend, the income qualifications would exclude high income earners.
“We’re going to issue a dividend to our middle income people and lower income people of about $2,000,” Trump said on Nov. 10. “And we’re going to use the remaining tariffs to lower our debt.”
Two prior pandemic-era stimulus checks authorized by Trump were made available to individuals bringing in as much as $75,000 per year and couples earning up to $150,000 and higher earners were eligible for smaller payments.
What is considered middle class income in Georgia?
The middle class is defined as those earning between two-thirds to double the median household income.
Pew’s Research Center and the U.S. Census Bureau reported in 2024 that the median household income was $83,730. However, income class can be directly impacted by family size and location. The median income can also vary in all 50 states, depending on their cost of living.
According to GOBankingRates, to be considered middle class in Georgia, a household would have to make at least $49,776. Here’s what is needed for families:
- Two-person family middle-class income range: $53,287 to $159,860
- Three-person family middle-class income range: $60,853 to $182,560
- Four-person family middle-class income range: $73,824 to $221,472
According to 2024 data from the Census, about 31% of Georgia households have a collective income of less than $50,000. Almost 16% make between $50,000 and $74,999.
Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at [email protected].



