SALT LAKE CITY — The value of $600 has seemed to grow as families across Utah wait patiently for their stimulus check.
For Matt Buchanan and his family, that money is what helps keep his 11 children warm--money, Buchanan said his family desperately needs.
In 2020 Buchanan's wife Kristy experienced a complicated pregnancy, while expecting their eleventh child.
The Buchanan's moved from Idaho to Salt Lake, allowing them to be close to the University of Utah hospital and their medical professionals.
Kristy ended up bleeding internally and Buchanan said their close proximity to the hospital saved her life.
"The 911 operator asked me if I could stop the bleeding and I said, no it’s an internal hemorrhage," said Buchanan. "She’s dying, please get somebody here."
Kristy and their baby survived the pregnancy, but now their family is faced with surviving the pandemic.
"We haven’t had a full paycheck come in the house since the middle of November," said Buchanan.
The couple were looking forward to their stimulus check, but then learned that the money would be delayed.
Read: Have a baby in 2020? You may qualify for extra $1,100 stimulus check
In an official statement from Liberty Tax, the professional income tax preparers said their hands were tied when distributing the stimulus.
"Due to processing issues, payment delays have occurred," the statement reads. "The IRS estimates that more than 13 million payments were sent to bank accounts that are no longer open or valid... Any individual who has not received their full payment by the time they file their 2020 tax return, they may claim the recovery rebate credit."
"With people like us, March is too late," said Buchanan.
Companies like Rocky Mountain power and the Buchanan's gas company offset their bills to allow their family to make up their money lost during the pandemic.
"That bill is now due in full," said Buchanan.
The eviction moratorium for renters expires Jan 31, 2021.
