Some receive stimulus checks

LIHU‘E — Last week, some Kaua‘i residents started their day with good news.

Like many U.S. citizens nationwide, the federal IRS economic stimulus checks were deposited into their bank accounts.

Priscilla Davis of Kalaheo thinks the stimulus check was a good idea, and was happy to find it in her bank account.

“Bills still need to get paid, rent needs to get paid and unemployment does not cover living expenses,” said Davis. “My stimulus will be used to pay bills and put food on my table and get necessities for myself and my children.”

Davis said she filed her taxes electronically and had her refund direct-deposited, so the stimulus check was also sent electronically.

“This will give time to pay bills,” Davis said, acknowledging that many businesses have allowed delays in payments for customers because of the pandemic. “Companies are giving extensions on due dates of bills (cell phone, Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperate, Hawaiian Tel, personal loan and auto insurance) without any interruption of services, but there will be a balloon payment in the end.”

Rodney Basconcillo, a state Department of Humans Services worker who still works at the DHS office, said he received the money, and imagines those who aren’t able to work during the pandemic are even more grateful for the financial boost.

“I filed my taxes online, and got direct deposit for my tax returns. I am not in a rush to spend my stimulus money, since I’m still working full-time, but aiming to spend my money in general on necessities like gas and food,” said Basconcillo.

“It’s OK for essential workers, but I think it’s a great idea for nonessential workers and unemployed people because they might not get income for months.”

Allison Davis of Hanama‘ulu is also paying bills with the $1,200 she received from the IRS, as well as “leaving some in the bank for a rainy day.”

Kalei Carvalho of Kapahi thinks the stimulus checks are necessary. She filed taxes online on the Turbo Tax website this year, as she usually does, and receives a refund each year.

“With this ever-changing economy, we may be enduring more hardships. My husband is a mechanic, and their company has less and less jobs,” Carvalho said.

”I work for the state, and we have just been notified that we may experience a significant decrease in pay,” said Carvalho, who works two jobs and has already taken a 15% pay cut at one of those jobs. “We are using our stimulus check to reduce our bills. In case we experience a further reduction in pay, we want to make sure that we set ourselves up as best as we can to reduce future stress.”

The U.S. Treasury said citizens nationwide who filed their taxes in 2018 and in 2019 and had any refunds direct-deposited should get their stimulus deposited into their accounts directly. Paper checks for others will be mailed out after April 20.

Info: www.irs.gov

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Stephanie Shinno, features and community reporter, can be reached at 245-0424 or sshinno@thegardenisland.com.