Oregon’s one-time $ 35 million Emergency Relief Check Program has been trusted only three days after the state began distributing distribution checks to residents, state officials announced on Friday.
The offices of Speaker of the House of Oregon Tina Kotek and First Chamber President Peter Courtney confirmed that all 70,000 available payments of $ 500 each were distributed shortly after the program opened for applications on Wednesday.
“I want to thank the financial institutions that stepped up in an emergency and work so hard to get money into the hands of desperate Oregonians,” Courtney said in a press release Friday. “We have said from the beginning that we know this is not enough money to help all those in need. But we had to take action to get money to people as soon as possible, and this is an enormous example of Oregonians who ‘ t in pitching to help us most vulnerable. “
Officials reported that 62 percent of the payments were given to Oregonians living outside the Portland Metropolitan Area.
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“It was difficult to anticipate when funding would run up because this was a first-of-its-kind program, but we knew the demand would be very high,” said Danny Moran, a spokesman for Kotek’s office. Newsweek.
“This sends a clear signal that more needs to be done at the federal level to support Oregonians and Americans who have been devastated by the pandemic,” he added.
The program was approved by state lawmakers back in July. The $ 35 million was donated to the Coronavirus Relief Fund’s federal dollar program to help Oregonians experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Residents over the age of 18 who earned $ 4,000 a month or less before taxes were eligible for the one-time incentive checks. Recipients must also certify that they are experiencing serious financial difficulties due to Governor Kate Brown’s stay orders, Save Lives.
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John Sommers II / Stringer
“While we know that these limited funds are not enough and do not allow us to help everyone, we felt it was important to try something,” Tina Kotek said in a news release announcing the launch of the program. “After months of hearing from increasingly desperate Oregonians who did everything right and still did not get the unemployment they owed, we hope this effort provides a streamlined way for some financial relief. The state is on track, and I hope that Congress will soon act to provide more support that is desperately needed. “
Within the first hour that the program started, Kotek KOIN told that 100 people had already applied and by mid-afternoon, about 4000 people had already been paid.
Residents waited in long lines at more than 150 locations where they were able to receive relief checks.
Jesse Coy told Fox affiliate KPTV that he stood in line for two hours, but called the wait “worth it.”
“I have nothing else to do. ‘
As a result of the ongoing global health crisis, millions of Americans have lost their jobs. Although Congress acted swiftly on a coronavirus relief package in March, agreements between House Democrats and Republicans in the House of Representatives have halted a second incentive agreement.
“These last few days have put a spotlight on just how dire the need is in the entire state,” Kotek said in a statement. “We need more money to help people. The federal government has the ability to make direct incentive payments to Americans whose lives are in danger and who do not. I find this incredibly frustrating and disappointing.”
Last week, Congress left after the August recession without reaching an agreement, which means many Americans, whose first round of federal funds are out, will eventually remain without financial support until September.
Update 08/21/20 4:48 AM This story was updated with comments from Moran.
