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Wilkes-Barre Stimulus Program Begins Issuing Stimulus Checks to Eligible Households

Posted on: January 11, 2022 - 12:44pm

The Mayor of the City of Wilkes-Barre and the Commission on Economic Opportunity are pleased to announce that on January 10, 2022, checks were issued to eligible Wilkes-Barre households by the Commission on Economic Opportunity in partnership with Berkheimer Tax Innovations.

The Stimulus Program is made possible by Mayor Brown’s 9 Point Plan for the use of American Recovery Plan Act proceeds.  The purpose of the Plan is to help combat the negative economic impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the citizens of Wilkes-Barre. 

One stimulus payment of $300 will be issued per income-eligible, tax-filing resident household.

  • A “Household” is everyone who lives in a single household unit regardless of relationship.
  • The residency requirement for the program requires residency in the City of Wilkes Barre since March 13, 2020 and maintained currently.
  • Financial Eligibility is based on 2020 tax filing which verifies gross income at or below 80% of the 2020 AMI.  2020 Income is used because the Pandemic began on March 13, 2020 and 2021tax filing are not yet required.
  • Tax filing household means someone in the household, a) filed their 2020 earned income taxes, b) had 2020 income tax withheld from their paychecks, or c) paid their 2020 Per Capita Tax.  Taxes are filed with Berkheimer Tax Innovations.

If you believe you are eligible for the Stimulus payment, you don’t need to do anything yet.  Just watch your mailbox –

  • If you are eligible and your income is on file with Berkheimer as a result of paying/filing taxes in 2020, you will receive a check.
  • If you did not file 2020 earned income tax, but did pay your Per Capita Tax to Berkheimer, you will receive a letter with further instructions on how to apply.

For all those who did not receive a check or information by mail, there will be an opportunity at a later date for you inquire regarding your eligibility.  Until then, contacting the City, CEO, or Berkheimer will not result in any action.

If you have questions or want to know more about eligibility for the Stimulus program, please visit www.wilkesbarrestimulus.org for more information.