If the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) were to hand out a stimulus check today, each taxpayer would receive a payment of approximately $993.79. This figure comes from savings made by the government through efforts like cutting federal jobs, canceling grants, and terminating expensive contracts. Originally, the idea was for citizens to get a $5,000 check, thanks to the push led by Elon Musk. The goal was to reduce the U.S. government’s $36 trillion deficit, but even though there have been some significant cuts, the savings so far fall short of the ambitious target.

In fact, the savings gathered so far amount to $160 billion, which means a much smaller check than the $5,000 people were initially hoping for. If these savings were distributed among the U.S. taxpayers right now, each person would receive around $990. This is a far cry from the original $5,000 promise, but still, it shows some progress in government efforts to cut back on spending.

For more details on government efficiency programs and savings, you can visit the U.S. Department of Treasury’s official site.

Where Does the Money Come From? The Efforts to Save Big

The savings come from several key areas: the cancellation of federal grants, ending government contracts, and getting rid of unnecessary leases. These measures have resulted in a savings of $160 billion, but experts say it is still far from enough. If the government wants to make good on the original $5,000 promise, they would need to save $2 billion. As of now, they are nowhere near that number.

President Donald Trump, who has been vocal about evaluating how the savings can be distributed, mentioned that 20% of the DOGE savings might be given directly to citizens, while another 20% could go towards reducing the national debt. However, this plan relies on the government continuing to accumulate savings consistently, which remains a significant challenge.

How Much Could You Actually Get from a DOGE Stimulus Check?

The amount of money that could be sent to individuals depends heavily on how much the government saves in the coming months. Investment firm Azoria’s managing director, James Fishback, explained that the amount of the check is directly linked to the savings. If the government manages to save $1 billion (which is considered a low estimate), the check could be about $2,500. But if the savings end up being around $500 billion, each person could receive a reduced check of $1,250.

So, while the promise of $5,000 checks generated a lot of excitement, the reality is that the savings have not been enough to meet that goal. At best, taxpayers might see a check worth a few hundred dollars, depending on how much progress is made in the next few months.

What’s the Hold-Up? Why the DOGE Stimulus Check is Taking Time

The excitement around the DOGE stimulus check has definitely caught attention, but there are still many hurdles to overcome. The savings necessary to fund such a large payment aren’t coming in fast enough. The administration, along with experts, acknowledges that reaching the level of savings needed for a $5,000 check won’t happen right away. The government is still working on reducing its spending, but it’s a long road ahead.

In addition to the savings issues, the Trump campaign has also been leveraging the idea of DOGE checks in their fundraising efforts. Though they haven’t made any direct promises, they’ve been using the excitement around the stimulus in their campaigns, saying things like, “Want a DOGE check?” and “It’s your money anyway, I’ll just give it back to you.”

What’s Next for the DOGE Stimulus Bill?

If the DOGE stimulus bill passes, it could be extended through 2026. But even if this happens, the path to big savings isn’t going to be easy. Experts warn that while some savings are being made, the total cost of the measures to achieve those savings could lead to even bigger expenses. One example is the massive federal layoffs, which are expected to cost nearly $1 million per employee. There are still many questions about how this will all play out and how much taxpayers will actually see in their pockets.

While it’s clear that there is a push for saving and returning money to the public, the actual amount of the DOGE stimulus check will depend on how successful the government is in cutting costs. It may take time, but the goal of sending money back to citizens is still on the table.

For further reading on government financial reports, visit the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) website.

Conclusion

The DOGE stimulus check has generated excitement, but the reality is that the savings aren’t enough yet to fund the promised $5,000 payments. With current estimates showing around $990 per taxpayer, progress is being made, but much more is needed. The government will need to continue cutting costs and saving money if it hopes to send larger checks in the future.