Based on widely reported figures, the United States distributed stimulus payments in three main rounds during the COVID-19 pandemic:
- First round (CARES Act, March 2020): about 162 million payments totaling roughly $271 billion. Individual payments were up to $1,200, plus $500 per qualifying child.
- Second round (Consolidated Appropriations Act, December 2020): about 147 million payments totaling roughly $142 billion. Individual payments up to $600 per person, plus $600 per dependent child under 17.
- Third round (American Rescue Plan Act, March 2021): about 167 million payments totaling roughly $401 billion. Individual payments up to $1,400 per person, plus $1,400 per dependent.
Summarizing the totals commonly cited:
- Total number of stimulus payments issued across all three rounds: roughly 476 million payments.
- Combined amount distributed: about $814 billion (with estimates often cited near $800 billion).
Notes and caveats:
- Some sources emphasize that totals reflect payments issued to eligible individuals and dependents, with phase-outs by income levels in the third round.
- Various trackers and official summaries point to similar magnitudes, though exact counts can vary slightly depending on whether “plus-up” payments and dependent counts are included.
If you’d like, I can pull the most current official tallies from IRS/ Treasury sources and present a precise, cited breakdown by round and by payment type.
