In 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was signed into law to help stimulate the economy during the Great Recession. The act included a provision for economic stimulus payments, also known as stimulus checks, to be sent to eligible individuals and families.
To be eligible for the stimulus payment, individuals had to meet certain income requirements and file a tax return for the 2008 tax year. The amount of the stimulus payment varied depending on the individual’s income and filing status. Payments were sent out via direct deposit or paper check.