Raleigh, NC – Earlier this month, the Republican-led General Assembly passed an historic $1 billion relief package that provides direct relief payments of $335 to more than a million households in North Carolina.
As outlined in the Coronavirus Relief Act 3.0 (House Bill 1105), eligible recipients need to be a resident for the entire 2019 calendar year and report at least one child who is under 16 on their state tax form.
While taxpayers who reported at least one qualifying child on their 2019 state individual income tax return will receive the payment automatically, some North Carolinians who were not required to file a return are still eligible, but must apply through the NC Department of Revenue (NCDOR) at https://www.ncdor.gov/extracredit.
The deadline to apply is Oct. 15, 2020.
There’s no rule limiting how the payment can be spent. Each eligible family will receive the one-time $335 direct payment.
NCDOR will issue the direct payments by no later than December 15, 2020. Payment details will be posted on their website as soon as they are available.
On the program, NC House Majority Leader John Bell offered the following:
“This has been a difficult time for many, especially families with young children,” said Rep. Bell. “However, I continue to be impressed with the strength and resiliency of North Carolina families. While I wish we could do more, I am proud of our work to create the Extra Credit Grant Program, which will provide some relief for struggling families to assist with virtual schooling and child-care costs during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Full information and answers to Frequently Asked Questions are posted on the NCDOR website: https://www.ncdor.gov/extracredit.
The direct payments were part of a larger package that also included:
• $200/month increase in unemployment benefits
• $35 million for child care centers
• $8 million to help working parents offset child care costs
• $20 million for community-based organizations to provide virtual learning
• $75 million for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• $10 million for internet connectivity for students
• $30 million for the GREAT program to improve rural broadband
• $6.5 million to eliminate the waitlist for children with disabilities to access educational opportunities
• $34 million for testing and tracing
• A hold harmless provision for school districts that see declining enrollment
• $20 million for COVID treatment for the uninsured
• $45 million for a small business grant program
• $44.5 million for hurricane recovery from four major storms
• $5 Million to promote safe access to in-person voting
• $115 million total increase for education
• $17 million in grants for exceptional children's services
• $50 million for Lost Wages Assistance Program
• $38 million for behavioral health
• Expands eligibility for Opportunity Scholarships
• Bipartisan priorities like the PPE+NC program
• Elimination of education wait lists for kids with disabilities
• Higher enrollment in virtual education options for families
