Hy-Vee and Gerbes have joined a growing list of businesses that are trying to cash in on the government’s $110 billion tax rebate plan. Direct deposits of the rebates began last week, and paper checks are scheduled to begin arriving in mailboxes Friday.

Hy-Vee said last week that its stores will waive their usual check-cashing fees for customers cashing economic stimulus checks. "There will be no requirement to purchase groceries or merchandise in order to cash the checks," the release said.

Meanwhile, Gerbes said last week that customers can trade in their checks for gift cards: A $300 check is redeemable for a $330 gift card, a $600 check for a $660 gift card, and a $1,200 check for a $1,320 gift card.

Some 130 million low- and middle-income Americans will receive payments in the next 10 weeks, ranging from up to $600 for single taxpayers to $1,200 or more for couples with children. Wal-Mart, the nation’s largest retailer, is cashing checks at its stores.

The Gerbes program, which is good through July 31, is limited to one offer per household with a $1,200 limit, according to a news release. Customers who want the gift cards must have a Gerbes customer loyalty card. The bonus amounts cannot be used for alcohol, lottery tickets, pharmaceuticals or tobacco products, the release said.

Dillon Stores is a division of The Kroger Co. and operates three Columbia stores at 205 E. Nifong Blvd., 2900 Paris Road and 1729 W. Broadway. Hy-Vee’s Columbia store is at 3100 W. Broadway.

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