Friday, April 3, 2026

Majority of Americans Plan to Spend Stimulus Check on Household Bills

Fri, 08 January 2021  |  spending 

A new survey from doxoINSIGHTS looks at consumer sentiment toward the U.S. government’s $600 stimulus checks. With more than half of all Americans believing that they will receive a stimulus check, the latest doxoINSIGHTS survey shows that the majority of Americans (59%) plan to use the money to pay household bills, with utilities; cable/internet; rent; mortgage; and mobile phone bills topping the list. While 90% of consumers believe the funds will help their financial health in the new year, recently released data from doxo’s 2020 US Bill Pay Market Size & Category Breakout report revealed how much consumers pay per bill each month, suggesting that the $600 checks won’t last very long.

Key findings from the $600 Stimulus Check Impact Report include:

While more than half of all Americans believe they will receive a stimulus check, many are unsure:

• 53% believe that they will receive one
• 37% don’t know if they will receive one
• 10% don’t think they will receive one

The majority of Americans plan to use their stimulus check as soon as they receive it:

• 59% will use the money to pay household bills
• 11% will use the money to keep their family fed
• 10% will use the money to pay off credit card bills

For those who plan to use their stimulus check to pay household bills, below are the top five bills they plan on paying:

• 78% will use the money to pay for Utilities               
• 35% will use the money to pay for Cable & Internet             
• 33% will use the money to pay for Rent
• 32% will use the money to pay for their Mortgage
• 32% will use the money to pay for their Mobile Phone

Source: Doxo