Organized by a nonprofit organization called Angel Resource Connection, the group has registered some 400 people for federal aid since April and is still finding those who have not yet applied.
Most eligible adults received the money automatically. But very low-income people who don’t normally file tax returns have to submit an online form so that the Internal Revenue Service knows how to contact them.
In the first round, individuals were owed a one-time payment of up to $ 1,200, and families could receive $ 2,400 plus $ 500 per child. The size of payments was reduced by income level and was completely eliminated for higher-income Americans.
But Congress did not specify in the CARES Law that data from those programs could be used to send stimulus payments. But if a new stimulus bill includes a second round of payments, lawmakers have an opportunity to modify the program.
“I think what we are seeing right now is a huge disconnect between the federal, state and local governments. But I think Congress should be more aggressive in the direction of efforts to find these people,” said Elaine Maag, researcher Urban Associate – Brookings Tax Policy Center.
Groups like Angel Resource Connection that provide social services and food to homeless communities have found themselves trying to bridge the gap in the past four months.
“It is a huge problem that has been ignored,” said Penelope Protheroe, executive director of the nonprofit organization, who suggests that Congress fund the outreach effort.
The group found other social service organizations willing to allow people to list their addresses so they have a location where payment can be sent. They also provide a van to help people collect their checks when they arrive.
“Many more people are homeless due to the pandemic,” added Protheroe. “We need compassion in Congress to look at these people and not kick them as they navigate the most difficult time in their lives.”
Still, people are likely to need Internet access, which proved to be a barrier for many low-income people, especially during a pandemic when tax aid offices closed along with libraries offering free internet.
The IRS created an online tool that people can use to find out the status of their payment. But for some people, it has been a while before giving an estimated delivery date. That makes planning difficult when budgets are already tight for so many who have lost their jobs.
“This is what the stimulus payments were designed for, and some can’t access it,” O’Reilly said.
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