As inflation continues to affect American households, some are hoping for relief through a unique proposal called the DOGE dividend. While this idea has gained attention in recent months, official progress remains slow, and no payments are confirmed yet.
The DOGE stimulus checks — not to be confused with the Dogecoin cryptocurrency — were proposed as a government-backed dividend program, aimed at giving back to certain taxpayers. Here’s the latest on where the plan stands, who might qualify, and when (or if) the checks could be sent.
What Are DOGE Stimulus Checks?
The concept of DOGE dividends was first suggested in February by James Fishback, the CEO of Azoria. It stands for Department of Government Efficiency — the idea being that savings from federal budget cuts could be returned as stimulus payments to qualifying Americans.
Fishback and his team are currently working with lawmakers to bring a formal bill to Congress.
“The next step is there is going to be a bill, and the bill is coming very soon,” Fishback told Newsweek.
What’s Holding the Proposal Back?
While Fishback says talks with lawmakers have been positive, the idea is still in early stages. Several challenges remain:
- No formal support from the Federal Reserve
- Economic concerns, including inflation and fears of a possible recession
- Difficulty funding the program, even with proposed government spending cuts
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has stayed neutral, saying it’s not appropriate for him to speculate on political or fiscal plans.
Economists are also warning that the current economic climate — especially with tariffs and policy uncertainty — may not support a new stimulus program.
Who Would Be Eligible for DOGE Payments?
Unlike previous pandemic-era stimulus checks, which were sent to most Americans regardless of income level, the DOGE proposal is much more limited.
Fishback says only “net-payers” of federal income tax would qualify — meaning people who pay more in taxes than they receive in refunds.
According to data from the Pew Research Center, many households earning under $40,000 per year effectively pay no federal income tax. These lower-income Americans would not be eligible under the current DOGE proposal.
Fishback explained that these payments would go to middle and upper-income households, as they’re more likely to save the money rather than spend it quickly — a move that, he argues, would reduce inflation pressure.
When Could DOGE Stimulus Checks Be Sent?
As of now, no official bill has been passed, and Congress has not approved the proposal.
So far, there is no timeline for when — or if — these payments could be sent. Fishback says the legislation is in the works, but until it’s introduced and passed, no checks will be issued.
DOGE Spending Cuts: IRS Office Lease Terminated
To help fund the program, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is reportedly cutting costs within federal agencies. One of the first visible moves was the termination of the IRS office lease in Visalia, California — a small step toward the larger goal of reducing government waste and redirecting funds toward taxpayer dividends.