HEALS vs. CARES vs. Heroes stimulus packages: Key differences between the proposed acts

Even now, Congress is debating the details of a new stimulus package to help Americans survive amid an ongoing recession created by the coronavirus pandemic. Both sides of the aisle agree that a final bill will include a second stimulus payment for qualified Americans, but two proposals disagree on the terms of renewing enhanced unemployment benefits.

“We have been for the $600. They have a $200 proposal, which does not meet the needs of America’s working families,” Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said Sunday on This Week. “And it’s a condescension, quite frankly, because they’re saying, ‘They really don’t need it; they’re just staying home because they make more money at $600.'”

The GOP’s HEALS Act is the front-running proposal, but Democratic leaders strongly object to the $1 trillion price tag, which they see as too small, and slashing unemployment assistance. The House of Representatives’ counterproposal costs $3 trillion and includes more money for enhanced jobless benefits and direct payments to more people than both the original CARES Act and the proposed HEALS Act. 

Take a look at how the CARES, Heroes and HEALS acts compare and contrast to get an idea of what’s under consideration for the final package. This story updates often.

CARES vs. Heroes vs. HEALS Acts: What’s the difference?

	CARES (from March)	Heroes (Democratic)	HEALS (Republican)
Total cost of stimulus package	$2.2 trillion	$3 trillion	$1 trillion
Stimulus check maximum payment amount	$1,200 to single filers earning under $75k per year, $2,400 for joint filers under $125k. Reduced $5 per $100 of income above limits.	Same as CARES.	Same as CARES.
How much stimulus money you get for dependents	$500 for dependents, 16 and under. College students, 24 and under, are not eligible.	$1,200 for dependents, maximum of three.	$500 for dependents, no age limit.
Enhanced unemployment benefit	$600 per week in addition to state benefits.	Same as CARES.	Initially $200 per week. Then up to $500 per week to match 70% of lost wages when added to state benefits.
How long enhanced unemployment lasts	Expires July 31.	January 2021 for most workers, through March 2021 for gig workers, independent contractors, part-time workers and self-employed.	$200 per week bonus through September. Then 70% matching of lost wages. Extends expiration of federal benefits until Dec. 31.
Paycheck Protection Program	Allocated $659 billion total in forgivable loans for small businesses, who must use 75% on payroll to be eligible for forgiveness. $130 billion remains, but expires Aug. 8.	Expands eligibility, eliminates 75% payroll requirement and extends application period to Dec. 31.	Injects another $190 billion into the PPP fund, expands eligibility and allows businesses to request a second loan. Eliminates 75% payroll requirement and expands approved uses of funds for loan forgiveness.
Employee tax credit	Tax credit on 50% of up to $10,000 in wages.	Increases tax credit to 80% of up to $15,000 in wages.	Increases tax credit to 65% of up to $30,000.
Bonus for employees who start new jobs or are rehired	Does not address.	Does not address.	There could be a return-to-work bonus of up to $450 per week for unemployed workers who secure a new job or are rehired.
Eviction protections and moratorium	Bans late fees until July 25 and evictions until Aug. 24 on properties backed by federal mortgage programs (Fannie Mae, etc.) or that receive federal funds (HUD, etc.)	Expands to cover nearly all rental properties in the US, extends eviction moratorium an additional 12 months, allocates $200 billion for housing programs and another $100 billion for rental assistance.	Does not address.
School reopening	Does not address.	$58 billion for grades K-12, $42 billion for higher education.	$70 billion to K-12 that open for in-person classes, $29 billion for higher education, $1 billion to Bureau of Indian Education, $5 billion state discretion.
Liability protection from coronavirus illness	Does not address.	Does not address.	5 year liability shield to prevent schools, businesses, hospitals, from being sued over coronavirus-related issues.
Coronavirus testing	Does not address.	Does not address.	$16 billion.