While stimulus check 3 may be the last direct payment of the year to be distributed to many Americans, homeowners may still be able to receive relief money to cover mortgage payments and outstanding debt.

The Biden Administration's American Rescue Plan includes a nearly $10 billion Homeowner Assistance Fund that will provide funds to states, territories, and tribes to assist property owners struggling to make pandemic payments.

The Homeowner Assistance Fund can be used to pay for mortgage payments, property taxes, utilities, insurance, homeowners association dues, etc.

The state or equivalent government agency is responsible for distributing this relief to those in danger of mortgage delinquency, default, foreclosure, displacement, or power or water outages.

Preference is given to homeowners whose incomes are below 100% of the area's median income or 100% of the national median income (whichever is greater), and to "socially disadvantaged" persons.

To qualify for funds from the Homeowner Assistance Fund, the following criteria must be met:

In addition to the states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia are eligible to receive at least $50 million for distribution to their residents. American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are each eligible to receive $30 million. Federally recognized tribes and the Autonomous Region of Hawaii will share $498 million.

Unfortunately, applying for housing relief is neither easy nor reasonable, as each state has its own process for distributing funds.

Since you will be dealing with each state's Housing Finance Agency (HFA) rather than the federal government, you must first locate and contact the HFA in each state or territory to see if you are eligible and what is required to apply.

Residents of American Samoa must apply to the territory's Housing Trust Fund, while Native Hawaiians and members of federally recognized tribes must apply to their tribal government or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Native Programs ( Urban Development's Office of Native American Programs.

Don't forget that those who feel left behind because they are not homeowners or are still making mortgage payments may qualify for more stimulus through the Plus Up Payment and Recovery Rebate Credit.

Also, if you have children in the home and qualify for a third stimulus check, the child tax credit for 2021 will be accelerated each month beginning in July.