Supposedly, the first batch went out already (if you have filed your tax return and did the automatic deposit for your return--if they mailed your check, then they'll mail this one at a later date). I think the first batch was SS #s ending 00 to 25 (or something like that), the second batch (I'm hoping today) is 26-75, and the last batch on May 9 which will be 76 to 99 (I'm not sure of the exact #s, but it's something like that). Not many numbers in the first batch, so, like Rick said, you may not know anybody in the first batch (who did automatic deposit). Who knows if I have my info correct, but that was how I understood the story that I read. Alison

We received several rebates which were paid out upon request. I think they included hot water heater, appliances, a couple from the utility and cooperatives. Chad, even hate to mention this since your geothermal sounds so much less than ours. Ours was $42,000, with almost $13,000 in tax credt ... which we can't claim until next year. We also got $1000 on the dual fuel heat pump from the energy cooperative. Our geothermal cost included 5 ton vertical loop system (five- 200 foot shafts), heat pump, back up furnace, programmable thermostats, radiant floor heating (I think 6 zones), humidifier, hot water heater, air filter, all ducting, labor etc, etc. Without looking at the bid, I can't remember all it included. I guess it's hard to compare if you're not comparing apples to apples. I'm estimating out total rebate/tax credits were between $17,000 and $20,000. Our builder and several of the subs were the ones who told us about the rebates we weren't aware of. They even gave us the forms.

DD sent me the link last week. The kids were all checking on theirs. If you have your tax forms handy it will tell you the amount of your rebate! We haven't even filed yet and never direct deposit cause we usually pay in. So I guess we will be one of the last to get a check.

Frances00, This probably should go under another thread but...I din't even think of illegal immigration. It would be nice to start a thread to see if we can get posters from EVERY state & tell us specific problems their state faces. Illegal immigration is of no or very little concern in the NE (my state is not affected much). We actually welcome immigrants. ok, I understand that too much of anything is not good for anybody-lol. I understand that the illegals is where it becomes too much. Immigrants provide good, cheap labor. No, they do not take jobs away from Americans. Not in this part of the country, anyway. Americans do NOT want to do manual labor, trust me. MY BIL has a businees & he would gladly employ an immigrant. He claims they work hard, they pay taxes & they deserve to send their kids to schools & have healthcare. The reason they don't have healthcare is because they don't make enough to afford it, or they work in the landscaping, or business that don't give them benefits... However, we have a unique problem in our state. We are bogged down by legal emigration. We have many people taking advantage of the state's wealthy give-away programs, therefore we have more people emigrating here & going on welfare & getting free healthcare. Regular, poor working stiffs don't qualify for the state's help, but fresh families arriving do. Go figure. We used to be a terrific MFG state. Now all the MFG moved out abroad or went out of business. While the factories were operating, we were recruiting mostly non-English speaking labor (Czeks, Poles, Puerto-ricans...etc). NOW we are stuck with people who don't speak English & don't work. The Europeans assimilated & moved on to other jobs & most became quite succesful. Many of them are small business owners. However, most of our Latino population(puerto-recans are US citizens) lagged behind, not learning the language, unskilled, hence not employable & more of their families keep coming to join them. They are eligible for all the benefits US has to offer. They tend to have large families, which burden the system. The schools are overcrowded, The kids are not disciplined etc. I guess when you have a lot of kids, it's hard to keep track of them. We keep plunking more money into certain schools without any progrees. After all, parents should start at home... We have a mess. Not speaking English their employability is limitied & in low wage jobs. Why should they work if our state is very generous? They are getting more free money than they would make working. Unfortunately, all our decent paying jobs have been outsourced. It's the Economy (lack of good paying jobs)that breeds laziness. If i had to work for $7/hr, I would prefer getting a larger FREE check from the state myself. The politicians really need to do soemthing about our good jobs going overseas!!! It's one thing to have a hard working population utilizing public schools, healthcare etc, and another thing to be paying for services to legal emigration that will never be productive... We'll switch our in-emigration with your immigration ;)