Although a fourth stimulus package has not yet been formally proposed, the White House mentioned the possibility of new direct payments this week.

On Tuesday (March 4), White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, when asked about the possibility of more stimulus checks at a press conference, said, "We will see what members of Congress propose, but they are not free."

This means that the White House, or President Joe Biden's administration, will not draft a bill containing a fourth stimulus check, as they did with the third stimulus check President Biden's $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, passed in March, still has included $1,400 that is still being paid.

Instead, support for another or repeated direct payment needs to come from Congress. Based on Psaki's comments to reporters, it appears that it is up to Congress to provide further stimulus if they so desire. It is also up to Congress to decide the amount of the fourth stimulus package.

Congress has yet to take meaningful steps toward increasing the amount of the stimulus package. However, at least two groups of lawmakers have asked the White House to consider a monthly stimulus package until the pandemic is over.

In January, more than 50 House Democrats sent a letter to the White House asking that President Biden's $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan include regular direct payments.

And in late March, 21 Senate Democrats, including several party leaders, submitted a similar letter urging President Biden to consider a monthly stimulus package in a better fiscal recovery plan.

In his first public address to Congress last week, Biden said that more than 85% of Americans had received their $1,400 stimulus checks, but did not mention a fourth stimulus check.

Again, the third stimulus check is still being paid, so be sure to check the status of your own stimulus check or call the IRS stimulus check phone number if you have questions about payment.