It might seem unusual to complain about $1,200 showing up in your bank account. But the unfortunate truth is that the recent round of stimulus payments sent out to Americans impacted by COVID-19 dont go very far for people who were furloughed or laid off and are now struggling to get by. According to a recent survey by financial technology company SimplyWise, 63% of Americans will need another stimulus check within the next three months. Plus, some people are still waiting on their payments , while others learned that they dont qualify for any money based on their income.

The disappointment leaves many wondering whether there will be a second round of government stimulus checks.

Members of Congress realize the need for additional relief payments, and several additional stimulus packages have been proposed. Most recently, House Democrats unveiled the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act HEROES Act for short which includes a second round of $1,200 direct payments to U.S. households with more inclusive eligibility rules than the previous stimulus package .

However, its not the only proposal on the table, and the likelihood of it actually passing is still up in the air. Heres a closer look at the possibility of a second stimulus check from the federal government.

Its Not A Done Deal, Although ...

With economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic growing exponentially, several phases of stimulus funds were required. In fact, there have already been three different stimulus packages enacted, though only one included a round of payments sent directly to individuals. The $1,200 payment that qualifying adults received as a direct deposit was part of the larger CARES Act, an unprecedented stimulus package totaling $2 trillion.

As for whether there could be a phase four economic stimulus that includes a second round of payments, its possible, but not certain. Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives have signaled openness not only to another round of checks, but to a system of recurring monthly payments, and there is definitely some support for the idea within their caucus. In addition to direct payments, additional relief would include aid for state and local governments and free health care coverage for coronavirus patients.

Sixty-two members of Congress recently signed a letter arguing in favor of recurring monthly payments as the most efficient mechanism for delivering economic relief to those most at-risk in this crisis. Among the signers were Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.).

President Donald Trump had not ruled it out. We could very well do a second round of direct (payments), he said during a news conference on April 6. It is absolutely under serious consideration. However, on April 28, he expressed his preference for payroll tax cuts over a distribution of checks.

... More Coronavirus Stimulus Plans Are In The Works

So, what could a potential second stimulus check program look like?

On May 12, House Democrats introduced the HEROES Act, which is the most recent proposal in the works. This stimulus plan includes a second round of $1,200 payments to individuals, in addition to expanded unemployment benefits, free COVID-19 treatment and more.

More immigrants would be eligible for payments than before, and funds would be protected from garnishment by creditors. Additionally, the $500 additional payment per dependent under the age of 17 would be bumped up to $1,200, with the total amount families could receive capped at $6,000.

The HEROES Act is just one of several stimulus plans that have been proposed within the past month.

In mid-April, Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) proposed the Emergency Money for the People Act , or EMPA, a bill that would provide a new round of stimulus payments of $2,000 per month to U.S. citizens and residents over the age of 16 who earn $130,000 or less. After the first six months, the program could be renewed for an additional six months unless the employment-to-population ratio reaches a pre-COVID19 level of 60%.

That $2,000 per month figure would be adjusted for different types of tax filers (married filers who earn $260,000 or less annually would get $4,000 per month, for example the rate for two individuals). Payments would phase out by 5% for each $1,000 over the threshold amount. Adults would receive an additional $500 per month for every child dependent, up to a maximum of $1,500.

Similar to the CARES Act, payment eligibility under the EMPA would be determined by adjusted gross income from 2018 or 2019 tax returns. However, those who might not have submitted tax returns for those years because of no earnings or unemployment could submit their current income information under a special application process through the Treasury to verify eligibility.

Importantly, the bill proposes greater inclusion and would include students and other groups currently claimed as dependents by others, said Michael Sury , a lecturer in finance at the University of Texas at Austin and managing director for the Center for Analytics. Moreover, the payments would not count as income, so other income-based benefits would be unaffected.

Given the issues that the government has had with distributing funds under the CARES Act, this bill would allow funds to be distributed across a variety of channels, including by check, direct deposit and other payment platforms such as Venmo and PayPal. Sury noted that this could help thwart debt collection agencies that have garnished stimulus payments once they hit bank accounts.

On May 8, a similar bill was introduced by Sens. Harris, Sanders and Ed Markey (D-Mass.). The Monthly Economic Crisis Support Act would provide a monthly $2,000 check to every person with an income below $120,000 for the duration of the pandemic and for three months after it officially ends.

This plan would also address some of the issues with the first round of stimulus checks; it would not limit payment to those with Social Security numbers, and it would bar debt collectors from seizing payments. It would also ensure that homeless people and foster children receive payments.

There are other stimulus proposals on the table as well, though they dont actually involve direct payments to individuals.

For example, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) proposes that the federal government cover 80% of wages for U.S. workers, up to the national median wage (thats about $33,000 annually as of 2018) through payroll tax credits to businesses. Bonuses would also be paid out to businesses for rehiring laid-off workers. This program would stay in effect until the pandemic is over.

Similarly, the Paycheck Guarantee Act from Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), would grant money to employers to pay wages and prevent layoffs rather than pay people directly.

Senate Democrats have also proposed a heroes fund , which would provide a $25,000 pay increase to essential workers through the rest of the year, as well as a $15,000 essential worker recruitment incentive.

Can A Second Stimulus Check Get Approved?

While existing direct payment bills have yet to gain much traction in Congress, there is a growing recognition that payments in addition to those provided under the CARES Act are going to be necessary, Sury said.

Still, it is likely to face headwinds in the Senate while there is an appetite to provide additional support, there are growing concerns about the price tag, he said.

An additional stimulus package in some form is likely to be supported by both sides of the aisle, but its a bit too early to say what it will look like exactly.

Arthur Delaney contributed reporting.

This story has been updated to include more recent information.