If you’re curious about whether you might receive the $2,000 check that was promised by Donald Trump to many Americans, there’s a straightforward check you can do to find out.
Since the president announced this bold plan, it’s become a hot topic with folks scrambling to see where they stand. Trump hinted that these checks could hit mailboxes “in the middle of next year,” prompting people across the country to check their eligibility.
These payments, known as “tariff dividends,” aim to utilize taxes from foreign products. However, without anything officially in place yet, many details remain up in the air.
Helping to simplify things is the advice from the Social Security expert and popular YouTuber, Blind to Billionaire.
According to the YouTuber, the key factor is your income. Simply put, do you make less than $75,000 a year as an individual? If your earnings fall below this mark, you’re likely eligible, he explains.
Income Is Key
The guidance also offers clarity for couples.
The income limit stands at $75,000 for individuals and extends to $150,000 for couples filing jointly. This means even if you aren’t currently working, you haven’t missed out. If your combined income is under the cap, you’re probably on the list for this financial boost.
This has been a relief for many, particularly those who are worried because they aren’t on a traditional payroll or might have lost their jobs recently.
Expect Changes
While the instructions sound clear, keep in mind things could change. There’s no official paperwork yet, and everything is still being discussed.
Trump himself hasn’t nailed down the delivery details, only hinting that we could expect the checks sometime in 2026.
“Next year is when it might happen,” Trump stated recently, suggesting these dividends are tied to tariff earnings. Additionally, he mentioned plans to cut down on the national debt with part of these funds.
Thus far, the focus of these potential payments is on what’s termed “moderate income” Americans, targeting particularly those in lower- and middle-income brackets, though this classification continues to evolve.
In a conversation with Fox Business, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent remained cautious, saying “We will see” when asked about the plan’s progress, stressing that legislative backing is needed for its execution.
The funds for these checks stem from Trump’s tariff strategies, especially the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which garnered about $90 billion by late September and $195.9 billion overall by the end of August 2025.
Even with significant funds generated, there’s quite a gap to fill. Erica York from the Tax Foundation pointed out that setting a cap at $100,000 for check eligibility could lead to costs nearing $300 billion.
Treasury Secretary Bessent pointed out the payments might not be uniform and could manifest as tax credits or linked benefits via Trump’s proposed One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
