These days, life feels like it’s finally settling into a new normal. I’ve been fortunate to get to see lots of you regularly at the market and out and about around town. My kiddos are finally safely off to school, and the rhythm of fall has brought with it a sense of comfort, even amidst the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the scars of the pandemic are still raw and meeting basic needs is a continual challenge for many.

During this time of transition, it’s crucial to recognize that few of us have made it through unscathed. That’s why I am particularly proud of the work we accomplished in the Legislature this session to support Mainers as we navigate this next chapter.

I’m especially grateful that we were able to enact transformational change for the people of Maine through our biennial budget. This budget allowed us to address rising property taxes, investment in schools, improve access to health care, support workers, take significant steps to combat climate change and bolster economic development.

Part of this legislation that focused on our economic recovery included a promise to provide hazard relief payments to the more than 500,000 Mainers who worked through the pandemic. Those one-time hazard relief checks will begin to be mailed out on November 1. That means it may take several months before everyone’s checks arrive. Because we’ve seen a variety of stimulus checks during the pandemic I wanted to help give you a clear outline for what to expect for this payment.

These payments have been referred to as the “$300 hazard payments,” but it’s important to note that $300 is the upper range for what these checks could be. The law limits the payments to $300, but the Legislature appropriated a set amount of $149.8 million for this purpose. That amount will be divided evenly across the number of eligible recipients.

Based upon the most recent projected number of eligible taxpayers, which takes into consideration October returns filed on extension, it’s estimated that checks will actually be between $275 and $285. So, don’t be shocked if you see a check in the mail for something closer to that amount.

Mainers who qualify for the hazard relief payment must have filed a Maine individual income tax return as a full-year resident for the 2020 tax year by October 31, 2021. If you haven’t done this yet, there is still time! These payments will be issued as paper checks, and they will be mailed to the address on file with Maine Revenue Services. Eligibility depends on your 2020 income. If married and filing jointly, your income must have been below $150,000. If you are filing as the head of household, your income needs to be less than $112,500. If you are single or married but filing separately, your income needs to be below $75,000. Additionally, you must have been considered a taxable employee during the 2020 tax year and not have been claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer’s income tax return for the year.

Mainers are nothing if not gritty, and we demonstrated that throughout this pandemic with many of us continuing to work to keep the lights on and our state running. I am happy that we are able to recognize those efforts in this small way. If you have any questions about your hazard payment checks or anything else, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.

Rep. Maureen “Mo” Terry, D-Gorham, is serving her third term in the Maine House of Representatives. She serves as House Chair of the Taxation Committee. Contact her at maureen.terry@legislature.maine.gov.