How this calculator works
In the second half of 2020 three competing proposals set out a second round of economic impact payments. None of them became law; the payment that actually passed in December 2020 was $600 per adult. The comparison is still useful because the three proposals took different routes to a similar headline. The CAAF Act, a Senate Republican proposal from July 2020, paid $1,000 per adult and $1,000 per dependent of any age, with no cap on dependents. The HEALS Act, also from July 2020, paid $1,200 per adult and $500 per dependent of any age, again with no cap. The HEROES Act, passed by the House in May 2020, paid $1,200 per adult and $1,200 per dependent but counted at most three dependents. All three used the same phase-out: $5 of payment lost for every $100 of income above $75,000 for single filers, $112,500 for heads of household or $150,000 for joint filers. The result is that the best proposal depends on the household: the HEROES Act pays the most to families with one to three dependents, the CAAF Act favours childless households, and HEALS overtakes HEROES for families with four or more dependents.
Formula
For each proposal, base = adult amount + dependent amount x dependents counted, with the adult amount doubled for joint filers. Payment = base - 5% x max(0, income - threshold), never below zero. Threshold = $75,000 single, $112,500 head of household or $150,000 joint. CAAF: $1,000 per adult and per dependent, all dependents counted. HEALS: $1,200 per adult and $500 per dependent, all dependents counted. HEROES: $1,200 per adult and per dependent, at most three dependents counted.
Worked example
A joint filer with two dependents and $160,000 of income has a threshold of $150,000 and $10,000 of excess income, so $500 is removed from each proposal. CAAF starts at $2,000 + $2,000 = $4,000 and pays $3,500. HEALS starts at $2,400 + $1,000 = $3,400 and pays $2,900. HEROES starts at $2,400 + $2,400 = $4,800 and pays $4,300, the highest of the three.
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Frequently asked questions
Did any of these proposals become law?
No. The HEROES Act passed the House, and the CAAF and HEALS Acts were Senate proposals, but none was enacted. The actual second round, passed in December 2020, paid $600 per adult and $600 per child under 17.
Why does the comparison matter if none became law?
It shows how the design choices interact. A lower adult amount with a generous dependent amount helps families; a cap on dependents limits the benefit for large households. The same trade-offs appear in later programmes.
Which proposal pays the most?
It depends on the household. HEROES pays the most for families with one to three dependents because each one adds $1,200. CAAF pays the most for a childless single filer because $1,000 beats $1,200 only after the phase-out, and HEALS pays more than HEROES once a family has four or more dependents.
Do the proposals use the same income thresholds?
Yes. All three used $75,000 single, $112,500 head of household and $150,000 joint, with a 5% reduction above the threshold.