On March 11, the White House approved the $1.9 Trillion Virus Relief Bill.
The bill includes:
Stimulus check eligibility
A stimulus check of $1,400 will be sent to:
*Residents who are married to undocumented residents will also be able ot receive stimulus payments under the new bill.
Unemployment payments & insurance
Federal unemployment payments of $300 per week will be extended until September 6, 2021. This will include a benefit of $300 per child for children under 6 years old, and $250 per child for children between the ages of 6 and 17.
An individual’s first $10,200 in unemployment benefits will also be tax-free.
Self-employed individuals and gig workers, as well as those who have run out of jobless benefits, will also be included in this package. Individuals in this category are encouraged to reapply.
Healthcare & Paid Leave
This plan will provide:
Tax Credits & Childcare
Tax credits for low and middle income families will be expanded and made refundable for 2021. Child tax credit will be expanded from $2,000 per child to $3,000 for children between the ages of 6 and 17 and $3,600 for children under the age of 6.
Individuals who make up to $200,000 and married couples filing jointly who make up to $400,000 will be able to claim the larger tax credit.
*Households with no income are normally not allowed to claim the child tax credit. Under the new bill, they will be able to claim this credit.
Reopening Schools
$130 billion will be designated towards schools to allow a return to full-time, in person teaching for K-12. This money can be used for the expansion of testing, improved safety and sanitary measures, summer school, increasing transportation capacity, and more.
Rental Assistance
The Federal Eviction and foreclosure moratorium will be extended through September, 2021. $45 Billion will be provided to assist with rent, mortgages, and utility bills for low-income households who have lost employment. This will include assistance for small landlords, home energy, and water costs.
States and localities will be provided $5 billion to offer emergency housing for families facing homelessness.
Small Businesses
Public Transit
$30 billion has been approved for public transit to help transit agencies avoid major service cuts due to COVID-19 budget challenges. Amtrak will use at least $166 million to restore frequency on long-distance routes and recall furloughed employees.
Covid-19 Vaccinations
$14 billion is approved for COVID-19 vaccinations, testing, treatment, and prevention. This will allow for the expansion of community vaccinations centers, including staffing, particularly in underserved areas.
This blog post will be updated as more information about the American Rescue Plan becomes available.
Lone Star Legal Aid is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy on behalf of low-income and underserved populations. Lone Star Legal Aid serves millions of people at 125% of federal poverty guidelines that reside in 72 counties in the eastern and Gulf Coast regions of Texas, and 4 counties of southwest Arkansas. Lone Star Legal Aid focuses its resources on maintaining, enhancing, and protecting income and economic stability; preserving housing; improving outcomes for children; establishing and sustaining family safety and stability, health and well‐being; and assisting populations with special vulnerabilities, including those who have disabilities, or who are elderly, homeless, or have limited English language skills. To learn more about Lone Star Legal Aid, visit our website at http://www.lonestarlegal.org.
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