Some U.S. states are issuing their own stimulus checks and cash bonuses

The nearly $1 trillion in federal relief sent to U.S. households through three stimulus checks is credited with reducing poverty and helping millions of families weather the pandemic. But with the COVID-19 Delta variant spreading across the nation, some states are also moving to distribute payments. 

A handful of states are tapping their own stimulus funds or surpluses to help specific residents, such as low-income households or teachers, with direct aid reaching more than 25 million people starting this month. At the same time, many households have already spent the third stimulus checks, which the IRS started distributing in March. In another development that could weigh on people's income, pandemic unemployment benefits are set to end on September 6, cutting 7.5 million jobless workers off the rolls.