MOSES LAKE — The U.S. government began sending out economic impact checks electronically last week to assist families and individuals dealing with financial struggles as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals earning less than $75,000 per year, heads of households making less than $112,500, and married couples bringing in less than $150,000 are eligible to receive the full $1,200 amount.

To receive the payment, an individual must have a Social Security number and cannot be claimed as a dependent on another person’s tax return. This second factor leaves many adults with disabilities, college students and elderly citizens claimed as dependents not receiving a check.

The IRS estimated paper checks would begin be mailed out the week of May 4.

Moses Lake people recently gave mixed reactions to receiving, or not receiving, the financial assistance. To some, it was a nice bonus, while others were relieved to see the funds go into their account.

A retired Moses Lake woman called the stimulus check a “huge difference” for her and her husband, both retired. She said her husband lost paychecks from two jobs he had used to supplement their income.

A 21-year-old Moses Lake man said it was nice having the “buffer” there now in case something were to come up. If a bill comes up quickly, he said he knows he’ll have that extra resource ready.

A 67-year-old woman from the Warden area was shopping for groceries in Moses Lake on Monday afternoon. She said she thinks she made too much money last year to receive a check. While she said she’d be fine financially without the assistance, she added that it’d be nice if they took the money out of what taxes she has already paid this year.

Other residents said they hadn’t received checks either, with some saying they weren’t worried about making it financially. A 32-year-old Moses Lake businessman said the check wasn’t a big difference-maker for him, but added it was nice knowing they had that little extra put away.

A software engineer from Moses Lake said he hadn’t checked to see if the check came in yet. The 33-year-old said he is fortunate to make enough money that he didn’t really need the assistance.

Other residents were still waiting for their checks to arrive.

A retired Moses Lake woman carried around a pen and paper, keeping track of how much she was spending on each item at the grocery late last week. She said she hadn’t received a check still and needed to pay rent.

A former school district employee in Moses Lake said she didn’t receive a check, but her two sons had. One, the 63-year-old said, managed to pay off his bills, while the other was able to put the money toward his student loan.

A 33-year-old salesman in Moses Lake said he works on commission so he wont see the hit from recent weeks until a few months from now. He said he sent the check straight to the bank until it’s needed.