NLIHC joined two sign-on letters urging Congress to ensure the next coronavirus relief bill expands resources for marginalized communities most likely to be impacted by the virus but least likely to receive federal aid. The Protecting Immigrant Families letter is at https://bit.ly/2Yjd9Kr and the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) letter is at https://bit.ly/2WgD4zx
The first letter calls on Congress to include support for millions of low- to moderate-income immigrants and their families in the next relief bill. Led by the Protecting Immigrant Families campaign, the letter requests that the next relief bill halt implementation of the Department of Homeland Security’s public charge rule (see Memo, 8/19/19). The letter urges congressional leaders to provide Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) for all tax filers, expand access to nutrition and other safety net programs, and extend COVID-19 testing and treatment to all people regardless of immigration status.
“As the nation navigates the current public health and economic crisis, it is essential to ensure that all families have access to the support they need to stay healthy and put food on the table,” the letter states. “If we are serious about addressing the full scale of this public health emergency, we can no longer afford to leave out millions of our community members from the response and must ensure that everyone has access to the health care, nutrition and income support they need.”
NLIHC also joined a letter led by the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) on April 30 in support of the “All Dependent Children Count Act” (H.R. 6420), introduced by Representative Angie Craig (D-MN), and the “All Dependents Count Act” a companion bill soon to be introduced by Senator Tina Smith (D-MN). The bills would extend the dependent EIPs authorized in the CARES Act to adult dependents, many of whom are people with disabilities.
People with disabilities have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Currently, individuals who qualify for EIPs may receive an additional $500 per eligible, dependent child under the age of 17. Adult dependents, including many college students and adults with disabilities, qualify for neither the $1,200 EIP nor the additional $500, providing them with no direct financial support. The letter urges congressional leaders to strengthen financial support to people with disabilities and their families by including the provisions in Representative Craig and Senator Smith’s bills in the next coronavirus relief package.
Read the Protecting Immigrant Families campaign letter at: https://bit.ly/2Yjd9Kr
Read the CCD letter at: https://bit.ly/2WgD4zx
Learn more about the “All Dependent Children Count Act” at: https://bit.ly/2YkhzAx
Learn more about the “All Dependents Count Act” at: https://bit.ly/3aRJGd8