Stimulus Check Pt 2? Here’s Why a DOGE Check is Surprisingly Likely

No, you’re not getting déjà vu…there’s a legitimate chance that stimulus check #4 might be on the way. This time, funded by the savings from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). At first glance, the whole thing might seem like a bit of a joke. But, DOGE checks are actually surprisingly likely – and it might pay off to start preparing.

Remember…almost nobody expected to receive the Covid-19 stimulus checks at first, and those eventually sparked a drastic increase in savings for Americans. A DOGE check (rumored to be $5,000) would dwarf the $3,200 in total stimulus checks and could represent a serious turning point for your finances. 

Why DOGE checks are surprisingly likely

DOGE checks would allegedly be funded with canceled government contracts. So, it’s not like Congress would need to raise any new money to pay for them. The money is already there, it’s just a matter of redirecting it to taxpayers. It’s like the government version of canceling a household bill and using that money to increase your kid’s allowance. 

This idea would be wildly popular among Americans so most politicians would probably support it… especially when you consider the timeline.

It will take DOGE a few more months to finalize the details so checks probably won’t go out in 2025. But, 2026 could be a realistic timeline – especially late 2026. Hey look, that’s when the US midterm elections are. Can you imagine if the DOGE stimulus checks got finalized and approved right before millions of Americans hit the voter booth? That would be classic timing. 

Anyway, here’s what we know about the proposed DOGE stimmys so far.

Are DOGE checks really happening?

The idea for a DOGE stimulus check was first floated in February 2025, so it’s still too early to tell if this idea will actually materialize. 

How much will the 2025 Stimulus checks be?

There are varied reports on how much the DOGE checks will be. 

Government officials are aiming for a check size of $5,000 provided they can cut $2 trillion in federal spending. This would represent roughly 30% of all federal spending (the US government spent $6.75 trillion in 2024) which seems…ambitious.

The current estimate for a DOGE dividend is $652.17, which is the total amount saved per taxpayer on the official DOGE site.  

However, the New York Times uncovered several notable accounting errors in DOGE’s ledger. It was mainly just small stuff. You know, like mixing up “millions” with “billions”, counting the same contract cancellation three different times, and crediting DOGE with contracts that ended years ago. It definitely sounds like the numbers will take some time to sort out.

When will the DOGE checks be sent out?

Checks likely won’t be sent out until DOGE has finished cutting federal spending. This could take several more months if not a year or more.

Congress would also have to approve the final payment amount before money is issued. Due to these roadblocks, don’t plan on receiving a check in the immediate future.

Who will receive a DOGE dividend?

Every US taxpayer could receive a DOGE dividend.

6 ways to use your DOGE check

While the odds of receiving a DOGE dividend may seem slim, it’s important to have a prepared mind – especially when it comes to your money. A free $5,000 check (or even a small fraction of that) could present a rare opportunity to jumpstart your investments, pay down debt, or make other strategic money moves. 

With no plan in place, you run the risk of slowly spending your DOGE check without actually improving your financial situation. 

Here are six ideas for how you can use your 2025 stimulus check…

🚀 Launch that business idea you’ve been sitting on

Almost everyone has that one amazing business idea they’ve been sitting on (mine is an app that tells you what’s wrong with your car when it breaks down) and a DOGE stimulus check could provide the startup capital you need to get your business up and running.

Starting a business in today’s world is much cheaper than most people think and $5,000 is more than enough to pay for a website, digital ads, and or to develop a prototype.

💳 Increase your spending power and build credit with a secured credit card

For many people, a DOGE check would provide immediate relief for daily spending. But, instead of spending your check, consider using it to open a secured credit card. 

Secured credit cards typically require an upfront cash payment and are designed for those with poor or no credit history. Using your DOGE payment to open a secured credit card (instead of just spending the money) offers two main advantages:

1. You’ll now have access to credit whenever you need it
2. You can help build your credit score over time to improve your borrowing potential

Learn more by reading about the 9 Best Credit Cards for Bad Debt 

🛒 Prepay essential expenses to save money on bundled pricing

A 2025 stimulus check would provide a great opportunity to prepay your monthly bills and save some cash at the same time. Here are a few smart ways to do this:

1. Stock up on household essentials from a wholesaler like Costco or BJ’s
2. Pay your rent or mortgage in advance (be sure to ask your landlord about discounts for prepaying first)
3. Buy an annual subscription for monthly expenses like your phone, insurance, internet, utilities, gym membership, etc.

This can help you save money since companies almost always offer cheaper prices if you buy in bulk. For example, a wireless provider might charge:

• $30/month for a 3-month commitment ($360/year)
• $25/month for a 12-month commitment ($300/year) 

You can quickly save $60 simply by paying annually. Multiply this strategy across most of your bills and you can easily save hundreds per year. 

Don’t underestimate the power that prepaying expenses (whenever possible, of course) can have on your mental health. Sure, paying your phone bill annually saves you 60 bucks. Cool. But, being able to remove “pay my phone bill” from your To-Do List for the next twelve months is the real bigger benefit.

📈 Start or boost your investment journey

Investing is a crucial pillar of your financial health that can help your wealth grow over time, although it also comes with a risk of loss. A DOGE stimmy check would provide the perfect opportunity to either jumpstart or add fuel to your investment journey. This could mean taking actions like:

1. Opening (or contributing to) a retirement account
2. Investing in stocks or other assets 
3. Dipping your toes into Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies
4. Save up for a down payment on a home or pay for home improvements

Need help learning to invest? Check out our guide on Why Managed Accounts Can Be a Great Way to Start Investing. 

🏦 Opt for a high-yield savings account (HYSA)

If investing cash seems a bit daunting then you could also explore a high-yield savings account.

Interest rates for high-yield savings accounts are still relatively high, with some of MoneyLion’s partners offering rates as high as 4.50% as of March 2025. Depositing a $5,000 check into a HYSA offering 4.5% would pay $225 each year, in addition to the peace of mind knowing you have money set aside for a rainy day. 

😅 Pay down outstanding debt (especially credit card debt)

Living with debt is stressful. A DOGE check could help you wipe the debt slate clean by helping you pay off some or most of your high-interest debt (like credit card debt).

If you’re living with credit card debt, the good news is that you actually don’t need to wait for a potential DOGE check. You can start improving your situation ASAP using strategies like credit card debt relief or debt consolidation. Here’s how debt consolidation works:

1. Take out a low-interest loan (usually a personal loan)
2. Pay off your high-interest debt
3. Save money in interest payments over time

Learn more by reading our guide How to Get Out of Debt in 12 Easy Steps.

Don’t Miss the DOGE Opportunity 

Only time will tell if DOGE checks materialize. But, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take the steps now to prepare for the possibility. Without a plan in place, you run the risk of slowly but surely spending your DOGE check without actually improving your financial situation. 

I hope that you’ve found this article valuable when it comes to learning why a 2025 stimulus check is surprisingly likely – thanks for reading!