During an Oct. 2 interview on One America News, Trump again suggested distributing stimulus checks from $1,000 to $2,000 per person. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Is the government shutdown affecting when stimulus checks will get distributed?
While the government is still shut down for a third week, the second-longest shutdown in history, there have been talks about getting a fourth round of stimulus checks from President Donald Trump and a member of Congress.
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During an Oct. 2 interview on One America News, Trump again suggested distributing stimulus checks from $1,000 to $2,000 per person.
“We’ll pay back debt, but we also might make a distribution to the people, almost like a dividend to the people of America,” he said.
Several times this year, Trump has suggested using a portion of the government revenue generated from new tariffs to provide rebate checks to taxpayers within certain income brackets, similar to the stimulus payments issued during the pandemic.
In February, he also floated the idea of distributing $5,000 stimulus checks as a “DOGE dividend” during a summit in Miami. He described the plan as returning part of the 20% savings identified by Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) back to taxpayers. Since then, however, he has not released any additional details or confirmed whether “DOGE dividends” or tariff rebates will move forward.
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This month, Ro Khanna — a California congressman — recommended $2,000 payments to Americans earning under $100,000, arguing that the move would balance the costs of some of President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Is there a hold up for stimulus checks? Here’s what to know.
Is there a fourth stimulus check coming in October?
There has been no indication that a fourth stimulus check will be issued as a result of cost-cutting measures. Any form of stimulus payment issued by the U.S. government would have to be approved by Congress. Don’t expect a check anytime soon.
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What is DOGE?
The Department of Government Efficiency, officially the U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization, is an initiative created by Trump and led by former “special government employee” Elon Musk. DOGE’s mission was to reduce federal spending, streamline regulations, and modernize federal technology and software to enhance government efficiency and productivity.
What happened to DOGE stimulus checks or tariff rebates?
President Trump has previously suggested using a portion of the government revenue generated from new tariffs to provide rebate checks to taxpayers within certain income brackets, similar to the stimulus payments issued during the pandemic.
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In February, he also floated the idea of distributing $5,000 stimulus checks as a “DOGE dividend” during a summit in Miami. He described the plan as returning part of the 20% savings identified by Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) back to taxpayers. Since then, however, he has not released any additional details or confirmed whether “DOGE dividends” or tariff rebates will move forward.
Is Texas issuing any ‘inflation refunds’?
In Texas, no such plan is on the table. The state doesn’t collect personal income tax, which makes it harder to run rebate programs tied to household earnings. Instead, relief in the Lone Star state tends to come in other forms, such as property tax cuts or federal dollars for energy rebate programs.
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In 2023, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed an $18 billion property tax relief package — the largest property tax cut in state history — which compressed school tax rates and raised the homestead exemption. Lawmakers passed a similar package in the June 2025 legislative session, and voters will decide whether to follow through with further cuts at the ballot box in November.
For now, if you’re hoping to open the mailbox and find an “inflation refund” check waiting for you, don’t hold your breath. State leaders have given no indication they plan to follow New York’s lead.
