Distribution of direct federal stimulus payments of up to $1,400 continues, with the IRS recently announcing that it had begun to send out an eight batch of checks to eligible Americans. The 1.1 million payments included in this most recent batch brings the total number of payments distributed so far to 164 million, with a total value of approximately $386 billion.

But the IRS’ campaign to distribute the third-round stimulus checks appears to be winding down. The most recent batch was the smallest so far, and focused primarily on sending payments to Americans whose payments were dependent on having their 2020 tax returns processed by the IRS. The shift in focus away from distributing stimulus payments to Americans in general and towards sending payments to this specific category of people, coupled with the fact that over 85 percent of the money earmarked for stimulus payments has now gone out, likely means that the final third-round payments will be shipped out in the coming weeks.

Other COVID-relief measures involving direct government payments are set to end in the next few months, as well. Most notably, the $300 weekly unemployment payments are set to expire September 6. Montana Governor Greg Gianforte recently announced that his state would be ending the program in June, with South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster announcing similar plans. These payments have been the source of much recent debate, with a poor April jobs report leading some to argue that the payments are disincentivizing people from returning to work.

Stimulus Measures in the Future

Government approach to stimulus efforts moving forward may involve an increased emphasis on measures other than direct payments. To be sure, direct payments will not disappear entirely; the enhanced child tax credit called for by the Biden administration would see eligible American parents receive $250 or $300 per month, and has been labeled by some as an unofficial fourth stimulus payment.

The Biden administration’s two proposed major tax and spending bills may serve as good indications of what to expect from future stimulus measures. Rather than direct payments to Americans, the two bills focus on government investments in a number of areas that the administration argues will result in sustainable long-term economic recovery and growth. The American Families Plan focuses on investments into expanding access to education, reducing the costs of child care, and more while the American Jobs Plan contains measures for investments into areas such as manufacturing, research and development, transportation, housing, and America’s digital infrastructure.

Still, direct federal stimulus payments may not be gone forever. The third-round of such payments has proven to be very popular among many Americans, according to recent poll data, while a growing number of Americans both in and out of government have been increasingly calling for additional payments. Whether or not we see such payments in the future remains to be seen.

Eli Fuhrman is a contributing writer for The National Interest.