Free Stimulus Check Calculator - CAAF vs. HEALS vs. HEROES

Comparing the Second Stimulus Proposals: CAAF, HEALS, and HEROES

Recent developments have reshaped the landscape for the second wave of stimulus payments. The newest proposal, the Coronavirus Assistance for American Families (CAAF) Act, now takes center stage alongside two earlier bills. With a dedicated Stimulus Comparison Calculator, you can estimate the amount your household would receive under each plan — the CAAF Act, the HEALS Act, and the HEROES Act. This Second Stimulus Check Calculator shows the results on a clear chart, helping you quickly determine which bill benefits your family the most.

The Background of the Three Bills

The CARES Act delivered the first round of stimulus checks to millions of American households. In May 2020, Democrats introduced the HEROES Act, a record‑breaking $3 trillion relief package that included substantial funding for another round of checks. The bill faced strong criticism, with then‑President Donald Trump calling it “dead on arrival.” Senate Republicans took more than two months to present an alternative — the HEALS Act, a$1 trillion package. Just one week later, the CAAF Act emerged as a third proposal, focusing exclusively on stimulus payments to speed up delivery before the upcoming summer recess.

This Stimulus Bill Comparison tool evaluates all three proposals side‑by‑side, answering a key question: which plan — CAAF, HEALS, or HEROES — offers more for you and your dependents?

What Each Act Proposes

• HEROES Act (Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act): Passed by the House in May, this $3 trillion package dedicates a large portion to second‑round stimulus checks.
• HEALS Act (American Workers, Families, and Employers Assistance Act): A $1 trillion alternative that keeps the eligibility criteria very similar to the first stimulus check, making it simpler to understand — if you qualified before, you qualify now.
• CAAF Act (Coronavirus Assistance for American Families Act): Focused solely on the second stimulus check, it offers different amounts for individuals and dependents and expands eligibility to people who did not qualify for the first payment.

Beyond stimulus checks, the HEROES and HEALS Acts include other measures such as extended enhanced unemployment benefits, additional PPP loans for small businesses, farms, and ranchers, and various other relief programs (HEROES also proposes student loan forgiveness). The CAAF Act is narrower, aiming to move a stimulus‑check‑only bill quickly.

Common Rules Across All Three Acts

Despite differences in amounts, the three bills share several core eligibility rules:

• Individuals with an adjusted gross income (AGI) below $75,000 receive the full stimulus; those earning between$75,000 and $99,000 get a reduced amount; AGI above$99,000 disqualifies.
• Married couples filing jointly: combined income below $150,000 qualifies for the full$2,400 (CAAF: $2,000); income above$198,000 receives nothing.
• Head of household filers: full payment if AGI is under $112,500; reduced payment up to$136,500; no payment above that.
• Unlike the first CARES Act, none of the new proposals sets an age limit for dependents, so adult dependents count.
• No application is needed; eligible individuals receive a direct deposit or a paper check by mail.

Key Differences in Amounts and Eligibility

Base Amounts for Individuals and Joint Filers

• HEROES and HEALS: $1,200 per individual,$2,400 per joint couple.
• CAAF: $1,000 per individual,$2,000 per joint couple.

Dependent Payments

• HEALS: $500 per dependent.
• CAAF: $1,000 per dependent.
• HEROES: $1,200 per dependent, but limited to a maximum of three dependents.

Dependent Caps

• HEROES: capped at three dependents.
• HEALS and CAAF: no limit on the number of dependents.

Social Security Number (SSN) Requirements

• HEALS: requires every filer to have an SSN.
• CAAF: allows married couples where only one spouse has an SSN (base amount reduced to $1,000, unless at least one spouse served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the tax year).
• HEROES: only requires an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), which is used by immigrants without green cards, foreign students, and foreign investors. Thus, CAAF’s eligibility is narrower than HEROES but broader than CARES.

Example Comparison

Consider a married couple with three children and a joint AGI of $105,000:

• CAAF: $2,000 (joint base) + 3 ×$1,000 = $5,000.
• HEALS: $2,400 (joint base) + 3 ×$500 = $3,900.
• HEROES: $2,400 (joint base) + 3 ×$1,200 = $6,000.

This example clearly shows how the dependent rules and limits affect total payout for families.

When Could You Receive Your Check?

If Congress passes a bill before August 7, payments could start arriving as early as August. If the summer recess begins without an agreement, the Senate returns on September 8, and checks would likely go out in late September. Once a bill is signed, the IRS can use the eligibility list from the first stimulus check to speed up distribution, avoiding a lengthy new enrollment process.

With the HEROES Act Calculator, HEALS Act Calculator, and CAAF Act Calculator, you can simulate your specific situation and perform a complete Stimulus Bill Comparison to see which proposal works best for you.