They checks will soon be in your account or arrive in the mail, but will the economic stimulus help Michigan families who are struggling to pay bills?

"Every family could use an extra few hundred dollars right now and however they use it will help us. And it's certainly going to help those families," said Senator Mark Schauer of Battle Creek.

Legislators say the economic stimulus is now more important that ever, especially with higher foreclosure rates, rising gas prices and credit card debt climbing for the average middle class family.

LaRon Henson is one of many Mid-Michigan residents who are struggling. Married with four kids, she'll get $2400 from the federal government and says it can't come soon enough.

"Gas is going up, things are going up. I think this will be a big, big blessing to the families that need the help."

But will it be enough to help Michigan's lower income families? One economist says no.

"For a lot of folks, they're keeping one nostril above water and the rebate check may help them keep two nostrils above water but they're still in a very difficult situation," said MSU Economics Professor Charles Ballard.

A difficult situation, Ballard says, brought on mainly by the housing crisis.

"That's where this problem originated."

He says without a fix, Michigan families will continue to struggle.

"The banking and the securities market stuff is more important to getting us out of this mess."

Until those are corrected, Ballard adds, the rebate checks will only help Michigan families tread some water.