Stimulus HEALS vs HEROES Calculator
Compare stimulus payments under CAAF Act, HEALS Act, and HEROES Act proposals
Compare Stimulus Bill Proposals
You must have filed taxes to be eligible for stimulus payments
Your tax filing status affects payment amount and income limits
Find this on line 8b of your 2019 Form 1040
Children and dependents under 17 years old
Dependents 17 years old and older
Stimulus Payment Comparison
CAAF Act
• $1,000 individual / $2,000 married
• $1,000 per dependent (no limit)
• Expanded SSN eligibility
HEALS Act
• $1,200 individual / $2,400 married
• $500 per dependent (no limit)
• SSN required (like CARES Act)
HEROES Act
• $1,200 individual / $2,400 married
• $1,200 per dependent (max 3)
• ITIN eligibility included
Eligibility Status
Example Comparison
Example Family
Filing Status: Married Filing Jointly
Annual Income: $105,000
Children Under 17: 2
Adult Dependents: 1
CAAF Act
Adults: $2,000
Dependents: $3,000
Total: $5,000
HEALS Act
Adults: $2,400
Dependents: $1,500
Total: $3,900
HEROES Act
Adults: $2,400
Dependents: $3,600
Total: $6,000
Bill Comparison
CAAF Act
Coronavirus Assistance for American Families Act
- • Lower base amounts
- • Higher dependent payments
- • No dependent limit
HEALS Act
Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection & Schools Act
- • Similar to CARES Act
- • Lower dependent payments
- • SSN required
HEROES Act
Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act
- • Highest dependent payments
- • 3 dependent maximum
- • ITIN eligibility
Income Thresholds
Up to $75,000
Phase-out: $75,000-$99,000
Up to $150,000
Phase-out: $150,000-$198,000
Up to $112,500
Phase-out: $112,500-$136,500
Understanding the Three Stimulus Proposals
What Were These Bills?
In 2020, three major stimulus proposals competed for passage in Congress as the second round of COVID-19 relief. Each had different approaches to stimulus payments, dependent benefits, and eligibility requirements.
Key Similarities
- •Same income thresholds and phase-out ranges
- •All dependents (any age) eligible for payments
- •No application required - automatic distribution
- •Based on 2019 tax returns
Key Differences
Payment Amounts
CAAF Act offered lower base payments but higher dependent benefits with no limit. HEALS Act matched CARES Act amounts. HEROES Act offered the highest dependent payments but capped at 3 dependents.
Eligibility Requirements
HEALS Act required SSN (like CARES Act). CAAF Act expanded to include some mixed-status families. HEROES Act included ITIN holders, making it the most inclusive.
Historical Note: None of these bills passed as written. The final December 2020 relief package included $600 per person payments with different rules.