Stimulus Check Comparison Calculator
Print| CASH Act ($2,000 Proposal) | $0.00 |
| HEALS Act ($1,200 + $500 Dep) | $0.00 |
| HEROES Act ($1,200 + $1,200 Dep) | $0.00 |
Compare historical Congressional legislative proposals for coronavirus financial relief side-by-side. Use this Stimulus Check Calculator – CAAF Act vs. HEALS Act vs. HEROES Act to calculate projected household payments, compare dependent benefits, and evaluate AGI phaseout structures across major legislative bills.
The Formula for Comparing Legislative Stimulus Proposals
Each Congressional stimulus bill proposal established distinct base adult payouts, dependent allowances, household caps, and phaseout rates:
HEROES Act Payout = ($1,200 × Adults) + ($1,200 × Min(3, All Dependents)) [Cap: $6,000]
HEALS Act Payout = ($1,200 × Adults) + ($500 × All Dependents Regardless of Age)
CAAF Act Payout = ($1,200 × Adults) + ($500 × Child Dependents Under 17)
Phaseout Reduction = Max(0, Adjusted Gross Income - AGI Threshold) × 0.05
Where:
- AGI Thresholds: $75,000 for Single Filers, $112,500 for Head of Household, $150,000 for Married Joint Filers.
- Phaseout Rate: Standard 5% reduction rate ($5 less per $100 of excess AGI).
CAAF Act vs. HEALS Act vs. HEROES Act Comparison Matrix
Refer to the lookup table below for a side-by-side comparison of core payment structures across all three legislative frameworks:
| Legislative Provision | HEROES Act (House) | HEALS Act (Senate Proposal) | CAAF Act (Bipartisan Draft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Adult Base Payment | $1,200 | $1,200 | $1,200 |
| Married Joint Base Payment | $2,400 | $2,400 | $2,400 |
| Dependent Payment Amount | $1,200 per dependent | $500 per dependent | $500 per child dependent |
| Adult Dependents Eligible? | Yes (All ages eligible) | Yes (All ages eligible) | No (Under age 17 only) |
| Household Dependent Cap | Capped at 3 Dependents ($3,600) | No Dependent Cap | No Dependent Cap |
Step-by-Step Legislative Proposal Example
Consider a married couple filing jointly with an AGI of $140,000 (under phaseout) caring for 2 children and 1 elderly adult dependent (3 total dependents):
- HEROES Act Calculation: $2,400 joint base + (3 dependents × $1,200) = $6,000 total payment.
- HEALS Act Calculation: $2,400 joint base + (3 dependents × $500) = $3,900 total payment.
- CAAF Act Calculation: $2,400 joint base + (2 child dependents × $500; adult excluded) = $3,400 total payment.
- Comparative Difference: The HEROES Act proposal provided $2,100 more to this family than the HEALS Act due to higher dependent payment rates ($1,200 vs $500).
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the main differences between the HEROES Act and HEALS Act?
The House-passed HEROES Act proposed $1,200 dependent payments (capped at 3 dependents), while the Senate Republican HEALS Act proposed $500 dependent payments with no cap. Both proposed expanding coverage to adult dependents.
What was the CAAF Act proposal?
The CAAF Act (Coronavirus Assistance for American Families Act) was a Senate proposal designed to standardize stimulus payments at $1,000 or $1,200 per individual and child dependent, creating equal payments for adults and children.
Did any of these three proposals become law in their original form?
No, Congress negotiated components of these proposals into the enacted $900 Billion Relief Package ($600 payments) in December 2020 and the American Rescue Plan ($1,400 payments) in March 2021.
Why was adult dependent eligibility such a major legislative debate?
Under the initial CARES Act, college students over 16 and senior adult dependents received $0 in stimulus relief, prompting lawmakers to include adult dependents in subsequent HEROES Act and HEALS Act proposals.