How to Get a Stimulus Grant

Some stimulus grants don't require you to apply to receive a payment.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, also known informally as the "stimulus" economic recovery plan, is a comprehensive collection of grants, tax credits, tax deductions and cost reduction measures designed to help the American economy recover from recession. Federally funded stimulus grants are offered to individuals primarily in the form of tax credits that do not have to be paid back and health-care- and technology-related cost reductions. Businesses can apply for federally funded small business grants and tax breaks.

Instructions

1. Read about the stimulus grant offered though the "Making Work Pay Credit" at the IRS website. This is a "refundable" tax credit up to $400 for individuals and up to $800 for married couples filing together. In order to qualify you have to have had employment within the last tax year.

2. Check your Social Security benefit amount (if you receive SSI benefits) and make sure that you have had your $250 economic recovery stimulus payment added to your check in 2009.

3. Apply for the stimulus grant $1,500 Home Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Credit if you have made energy efficient upgrades or added renewable energy technology to your home this year. This grant pays you to save money on your bills each month by upgrading to newer and more efficient systems in your home.

4. Check to see if you qualify for the Federal Home Buyer Credit extension, where you can get up to $8,000 back on the purchase of a qualified home. Even though the credit has expired for most Americans as of 2010, some Armed Forces and state employees will be eligible for the credit until 2011.

5. Search reputable websites for stimulus grants for small businesses. Grants.gov, Business.gov, Recovery.gov and the Small Business Administration are a good place to start looking.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't get scammed. Reputable websites should not charge you for grant searching services, look for websites that end in .org or .gov.

References

• Grants.gov: Find grant opportunities
• Recovery.gov: Grants
• Internal Revenue Service: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Information Center
• Business.gov: Home

Resources

• Small Business Administration: Home