President Donald Trump's promise to send $5,000 checks to American adults has been thrown into serious doubt following the Republican Party's defeat in the 2026 midterm elections.
Trump had promised the payments if Republicans retained control of both the House of Representatives and Senate, but Democrats' victories on November 3 mean that condition has not been met.
For millions of Americans facing rising household expenses, the result raises an important question: what other financial assistance might still be available?
While the proposed $5,000 payments have never been approved by Congress, several other government payments, refunds and tax credits are available to people who meet specific requirements.
Some have been announced by the Trump administration, while others are established programmes that can provide financial assistance regardless of which political party controls Washington.
Here are the payments worth checking, who could qualify and how to find out whether money is available.
1. Trump's $90 Medicare payments
One of the administration's most recent announcements involves a one-time $90 payment for certain Medicare beneficiaries.
Announced in October 2026, the initiative was designed to help more than 20 million Americans with the cost of Medicare Part B premiums.
Part B generally covers outpatient healthcare services, including doctors' appointments, preventive treatments and certain medical equipment.
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, eligible recipients generally must be enrolled in Original Medicare Part B and live in the United States.
However, not everyone with Medicare qualifies.
People enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans are excluded, as are beneficiaries whose Part B premiums are paid by Medicaid.
Higher-income beneficiaries who pay income-related premium adjustments are also excluded.
The administration said the payments would be distributed during October through direct deposit or paper checks.
People who believe they qualify can contact Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 to check their eligibility.
For payment-status questions, beneficiaries can contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.
2. Trump's $500 Affordable Care Act refunds
Another administration initiative involves $500 refund checks for approximately one million Americans who purchased health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace.
Announced in September, the payments were described by the White House as refunds of excess fees collected through the federal health insurance marketplace.
However, eligibility is restricted to a relatively small group.
Recipients must have enrolled in coverage through HealthCare.gov for 2026 without receiving federal premium tax credits to reduce their insurance costs.
The programme covers qualifying individuals in 30 states using the federal marketplace, including Florida, Texas, Ohio, North Carolina, Arizona and Wisconsin.
People who received premium tax credits are not included, even if they purchased their insurance through the same marketplace.
The administration said checks would begin arriving in October, although the announcement alone does not confirm delivery to every intended recipient.
Health policy researchers have also questioned the programme's funding and legal basis.
Consumers can review their marketplace coverage at HealthCare.gov.
3. Earned Income Tax Credit worth up to $8,231
Millions of working Americans may qualify for financial assistance through the Earned Income Tax Credit, commonly known as the EITC.
Unlike a proposed stimulus check, the EITC is an established federal tax credit intended to support people with low or moderate earnings.
It can reduce the amount of tax someone owes and may generate a refund even when their tax liability is relatively small.
For the 2026 tax year, the maximum credit amounts are:
The amount someone receives depends on their earnings, filing status and number of qualifying children.
For example, a single filer with three qualifying children generally must have adjusted gross income below $62,974 to qualify for the 2026 credit.
For married couples filing jointly with three or more qualifying children, the corresponding income threshold is $70,244.
Additional eligibility requirements apply, including rules concerning Social Security numbers, investment income and residency.
Americans can check their eligibility using the IRS Earned Income Tax Credit Assistant at IRS.gov.
Credits for the 2026 tax year are generally claimed when filing a federal tax return in 2027.
4. Child Tax Credit worth up to $2,200 per child
Families with qualifying children may also be eligible for the federal Child Tax Credit.
For the 2026 tax year, the credit is worth up to $2,200 per qualifying child.
A refundable portion, known as the Additional Child Tax Credit, can provide up to $1,700 per qualifying child to eligible families.
To qualify, a child generally must be younger than 17 at the end of the tax year, meet relationship and residency requirements, and be claimed as a dependent.
Social Security number requirements also apply.
The full credit is generally available to qualifying taxpayers with income of $200,000 or less, or $400,000 for married couples filing jointly.
The credit gradually reduces above those income thresholds.
It is important to distinguish a tax credit from an automatic government payment.
Families must generally claim the credit on their federal tax return, and the amount they actually receive depends on their circumstances.
More information is available through the IRS Child Tax Credit guidance.
5. Up to $3,000 in child and dependent care tax relief
Working parents and people caring for qualifying dependents may be able to reduce their federal tax bills through the Child and Dependent Care Credit.
For the 2026 tax year, the credit can be worth up to $1,500 for one qualifying person or $3,000 for two or more qualifying people.
The credit is intended to help taxpayers who pay for qualifying care so they can work or look for employment.
Qualifying expenses can include certain childcare arrangements, although specific requirements apply to the care provider, the dependent and the taxpayer's employment circumstances.
The actual amount depends on income and eligible expenses.
Unlike some refundable credits, this credit generally reduces income tax owed rather than producing a payment beyond the taxpayer's tax liability.
Eligible taxpayers can claim it when filing their 2026 federal tax returns in 2027.
6. A $1,000 government contribution through Trump Accounts
Another initiative introduced under Trump's administration provides a one-time $1,000 federal contribution to an investment account for certain children.
Known as Trump Accounts, the programme is designed to help eligible children begin building long-term savings.
The federal contribution is available for qualifying US citizen children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, who meet the programme's Social Security number requirements.
Parents or other authorised adults must establish an eligible account and make the appropriate election to receive the government contribution.
However, the $1,000 is not an unrestricted cash payment to parents.
It is deposited into the child's investment account, where restrictions apply to how and when the money can be accessed.
Families can find details about the programme through the IRS website.
7. Tax refunds that Americans may not have claimed
Some Americans may be entitled to money through the Internal Revenue Service without realising it.
People who had too much federal income tax withheld from their wages may be eligible for a refund when they file their tax return.
Others may qualify for refundable tax credits that increase the amount they receive.
The value of a refund depends on the individual's tax circumstances rather than a fixed payment amount.
People who have already filed but are still waiting for their refund can use the IRS Where's My Refund tool.
Those who have not filed a return for an earlier year should check the relevant deadlines, as refund claims generally have time limits.
The official website is IRS.gov/refunds.
8. Unclaimed money held by state governments
Another potential source of money has nothing to do with federal stimulus payments.
State governments across the country hold unclaimed funds belonging to individuals and businesses.
These can include forgotten bank balances, uncashed checks, insurance proceeds, utility deposits and other money that was never collected by its rightful owner.
There is no universal payment amount because each claim depends on the value of the property being held.
Some people may discover relatively small balances, while others could be owed substantially more.
Americans can search the official unclaimed-property database for their state and any other states where they previously lived.
USAGov provides guidance and links to the appropriate authorities at USA.gov/unclaimed-money.
Individuals should avoid paying unnecessary fees to third-party websites when official state searches are available.
9. Education tax credits worth up to $2,500
Students and families paying qualifying higher education expenses may also be able to claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit.
The credit can be worth up to $2,500 per eligible student annually.
Up to $1,000 may be refundable for qualifying taxpayers, although restrictions apply.
The credit generally supports eligible students during their first four years of higher education.
Requirements include qualifying education expenses, enrolment conditions and income limits.
For many taxpayers, the credit begins to phase out when modified adjusted gross income exceeds $80,000, or $160,000 for married couples filing jointly.
The credit is generally unavailable at $90,000 for individual filers or $180,000 for joint filers.
Students and parents should review the IRS eligibility requirements before claiming it.
10. State and local assistance programmes
Depending on where they live, Americans may also qualify for state-level financial assistance that is unrelated to Trump's proposed election dividend.
These programmes can include help with utility bills, heating costs, housing expenses and other essential needs.
For example, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, commonly known as LIHEAP, provides assistance to eligible households struggling with heating or cooling costs.
Funding and eligibility rules vary by state, and some programmes operate seasonally or close applications when available funds are exhausted.
State tax refunds and rebates may also be available in certain jurisdictions, depending on current legislation and individual circumstances.
Unlike a nationwide stimulus programme, these benefits are not available to everyone across the United States.
Residents should check their state's official benefits portal, revenue department or energy assistance office for current opportunities.
What happens to Trump's promised $5,000 checks now?
Trump originally announced the $5,000 payments at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas in September.
He pledged to distribute the money to adult American citizens if Republicans retained control of both chambers of Congress.
However, the proposal was never enacted into law, and no official payment system was established.
With Democrats securing control of Congress following the November 3 elections, the condition Trump attached to his promise has not been fulfilled.
Theoretically, a future Congress could consider legislation authorising direct payments, but there is currently no approved $5,000 programme.
Economists have also questioned how such a large initiative could be financed.
Paying approximately 245 million adult citizens $5,000 each would cost around $1.2 trillion, significantly more than annual federal tariff revenue.
For now, Americans should not assume they will receive the money or provide personal financial information to websites claiming to offer early access to the checks.
Which payments are worth checking first?
For Americans hoping to find financial assistance following the midterm elections, the most relevant programmes will depend on their individual circumstances.
Medicare beneficiaries should review the eligibility requirements for the announced $90 payments, while qualifying ACA marketplace customers may be entitled to the separate $500 refunds.
Working households and families with children should examine available federal tax credits, particularly the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.
People who have moved between states or held multiple bank accounts may also benefit from checking official unclaimed-property records.
Importantly, these are different types of financial assistance. Some are one-time payments, some are tax credits, and others involve money already owed to an individual.
Not every American will qualify, and some benefits require applications or tax filings.
Although Trump's $5,000 election pledge faces major obstacles, the midterm results do not automatically eliminate other established benefits and refunds.
Checking official government guidance remains the safest way to establish whether a payment is available and what action, if any, is required.
