Imagine receiving a $5,000 check straight from the government—without increasing national debt. That’s exactly what James Fishback, CEO of Azoria, is proposing with the DOGE Dividend Plan, and the idea is getting serious attention in Washington.
In a recent interview, Fishback shared that he had positive meetings with lawmakers and is hopeful the plan could be approved soon. Backed by Elon Musk and Donald Trump, the proposal would give a large payout to eligible U.S. taxpayers—if certain conditions are met.
What Is the DOGE Dividend Check?
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, is working on identifying wasteful government spending and cutting unnecessary expenses. The goal? Save up to $2 trillion by 2026. Once those savings are confirmed, the plan is to return a part of the money to taxpayers.
James Fishback’s proposal is simple:
- Send a $5,000 check to each eligible household.
- Only households that are net federal income taxpayers (earning above $40,000) would qualify.
- The check would come from actual savings—not loans—so it wouldn’t increase the national debt.
Why Now?
Fishback says 70% of U.S. government spending comes from taxes. When waste or misuse is found, it’s only fair to return that money to taxpayers. According to DOGE’s current figures, about $130 billion in savings has already been reported, which Fishback claims is enough to begin the payout process.
During a rally in Wisconsin, Elon Musk stated, “If we reduce waste, there will be resources to give back.” Former economic advisor Kevin Hassett also supports the idea. Trump, who earlier said he would evaluate the plan, has not shared updates recently.
Will Congress Approve It?
This plan needs Congressional approval to move forward. While some politicians support it, others, especially from the Republican Party, are cautious. Their concerns include:
- How much money will actually be saved?
- Could the payouts cause inflation or new budget issues?
- Would this create unfair benefits for higher income groups?
Fishback has said that his plan is different from the COVID-19 stimulus checks, which added to the debt. This one is designed to be fully funded by savings and not meant to push the economy with inflation.
Who Will Get the $5,000 DOGE Check?
Here’s what we know so far about eligibility:
- You must be a net federal income taxpayer, likely meaning you earn more than $40,000/year.
- Households that pay no net federal income tax may not be eligible.
- Only one check will be given per qualifying household.
Final rules will depend on what Congress approves, and timelines may change.
What’s the Timeline?
- DOGE operations continue until July 2026.
- If $2 trillion in savings is confirmed, 20% (about $400 billion) will be used for dividend payments.
- Another 20% will go towards reducing national debt.
- Payments would likely begin after DOGE ends—sometime in late 2026, if approved.
The idea of a $5,000 government check with no debt increase sounds like a dream—but it’s not entirely out of reach. Backed by Elon Musk and James Fishback, and under review by lawmakers, the DOGE Dividend Plan is gaining attention. But as of now, nothing is official.
Congress still needs to approve the proposal, and eligibility and payment timelines could change. For now, all eyes are on Washington as taxpayers wait to see if this bold idea becomes reality.