Current Update on DOGE Stimulus Checks: What You Need to Know

• During a rally in Wisconsin on March 31, Musk acknowledged that DOGE checks, initially projected to reach up to $5,000, might not be released.
• However, in a conversation with Chris Cuomo made public on Tuesday, CEO of Azoria investment firm, James Fishback, who proposed the concept of the checks, expressed his “strong optimism” about the initiative.
• Any financial assistance stemming from DOGE’s unverified savings will need Congressional approval.

The potential issuance of DOGE stimulus checks remains uncertain, as Elon Musk and the individual who proposed the concept have presented differing views over the past weeks.

At the Wisconsin rally, Musk conceded that DOGE checks, which he originally claimed could go up to $5,000, may not come to fruition.

During this event, the billionaire and CEO of Tesla sidestepped questions, admitting that any stimulus derived from DOGE’s uncertain savings would require Congressional approval, the standard procedure for any government-issued stimulus payments.

“It’s somewhat dependent on Congress and perhaps the president on whether specific checks are distributed,” Musk remarked.

Instead, Musk indicated that Americans would benefit from the extensive cuts his team is implementing, which would help alleviate inflationary pressures.

Yet, in a recent interview with Chris Cuomo released on Tuesday, James Fishback, the head of Azoria investment firm and the originator of the DOGE checks proposal, stated he remains “highly optimistic this will materialize.”

“I genuinely believe this will take place and possess unique insight because I’ve spent the last two weeks on the Hill engaging with members from both the House and Senate,” Fishback mentioned, asserting he has backing from President Donald Trump, entrepreneur Elon Musk, and economist Kevin Hassett, Director of the National Economic Council.

While the situational status remains uncertain, here’s what you should know about the DOGE stimulus checks.

What is the “DOGE Dividend,” or DOGE stimulus check?

Fishback originally proposed the concept, suggesting on X in February that Trump and Musk should provide a ‘DOGE Dividend’ to each taxpayer. Under his plan, the dividend would serve as a tax refund funded by savings generated by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Musk responded, “I’ll discuss this with the President,” and later in the week, Trump indicated the idea was under consideration.

Will there be a DOGE check? How much would it be?

If Musk achieves his initial goal of $2 trillion in spending cuts by the following year, Fishback suggested that 20% of DOGE savings could equate to $5,000 for each taxpaying household.

However, Musk later adjusted that target to $1 trillion, and during a cabinet meeting on Thursday, he reduced expectations further, stating he anticipates $150 billion in savings in FY2026, which would lower the potential dividend amount.

DOGE reports having saved $150 billion via governmental cuts so far, though this figure remains unverified and is contested.

If it did happen, who would be eligible for the DOGE stimulus check?

Fishback’s four-page proposal for the “DOGE dividend” specified that it would be a refund “only sent to tax-paying households,” as opposed to individual taxpayers like those checks issued during the pandemic.

He stated the potential refund would only go to households that are net-income taxpayers—those who pay more in taxes than they receive back—with lower-income individuals not qualifying, as reported in the news.

The Pew Research Center indicates that the majority of Americans earning an adjusted gross income below $40,000 effectively pay no federal income tax.

“This is exclusively for households that are net payers of federal income tax, which means they typically have a lower tendency to spend and a higher likelihood to save a transfer payment like the DOGE dividend,” Fishback explained.

When can you expect a DOGE stimulus check?

There has been no confirmation that DOGE will definitely issue a stimulus check in conjunction with cost-cutting efforts.

Until Congress approves a bill authorizing the dividends, no checks will be disseminated for the time being and there is currently no established timeline for payments. Musk has suggested that saving the necessary amount for the stimulus checks may be unfeasible, and, if viable, it could take longer than anticipated. Don’t count on receiving a check anytime soon.

Trump has not provided any further specifics or clarity regarding the potential ‘DOGE dividend’ or its probability.

Contributing: Shelby Slade, Maria Francis