The talks for a second stimulus check and another coronavirus relief package have stalled in Congress, but some Americans are still finding themselves with an extra $500 from the government this week.

The surprise payment is actually part of the first stimulus check. That initial payment, part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, went out months ago and gave $1,200 to anyone making under $75,000 and $2,400 to couples making less than $150,000. In addition, people with a qualified dependent under the age of 17 got $500 per dependent, and that's what the checks this week are for. Since some check recipients previously didn't get the dependent portion, the IRS is either sending out those checks now or using direct deposit to put the money right into those Americans' bank accounts.

It seems that the this applies to people who didn't need to file a tax return last year and used the Non-Filer tool on the IRS' website to enter their dependent info. Only those who did that before May 17th are getting a check this week, anyone who did it after May 17 probably had the dependent payment as part of their first check.

If you're not sure whether you are getting one or not, head over to the Get My Payment tool on the IRS' site to learn more. As for the second stimulus check, hopefully Congress can come to some sort of agreement in the coming days so that those checks can go out in the coming weeks. The politicians are back to negotiating today.

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