By Laura Ellsworth, Council for the Homeless
With the passage of the CARES act by Congress on March 27th, many people are now receiving stimulus checks of up to $1,200 per adult and $500 per child from the Federal Government. These direct payments to households are called economic impact payments, or EIPs. EIPs will not be taxed in the future or be required to pay back, and the intent is to help people stay afloat and pay rent or mortgages and meet basic needs after experiencing a reduction in income related to COVID-19.
For a detailed list of Frequently Asked Questions and answers about the EIP, visit: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment-frequently-asked-questions#payment
Are people who are unhoused, have no address, no bank account, or who don’t normally file taxes going to receive an EIP? For the vast majority, the answer is yes, but they will need to provide some information that may be difficult for people experiencing homelessness to gather.
Here are ways that people who are unhoused can receive their payments.
People who do not normally file taxes: Because many people experiencing homelessness often have very little income, they are not required to file a yearly tax return. The IRS created an online portal for people to use in this situation. The online portal asks for an email address, a phone number, Social Security numbers for adults and children in the household, and a mailing address. Non-filers can also begin the process of claiming eligible children on this portal. This is not the same as filing taxes, and is only a means to supply identification and information necessary to receive the EIP. It is free and available for use at https://www.freefilefillableforms.com/#/fd/EconomicImpactPayment
These information requirements can be challenging for someone without a home. Here are a few ways to overcome those challenges where can they be accessed in Clark County.
Stimulus payments can be accessed through the end of 2020, and people can file for them anytime. And, for those folks that still need to file taxes, don’t worry, as the deadline to file for 2019 has been extended to July 15th.
Unfortunately, people without a Social Security number–including people who do not have documentation–are not eligible for EIPs. In Washington, a scholarship exists to provide emergency preventative financial relief to as many undocumented families as possible. For more information, and to apply for this scholarship, visit https://www.scholarshipjunkies.org/relief#aid.
Times are tough right now, and the world is a bit upside down for many people. Inequities are being magnified, and people who need the most help often have to jump through the most hoops to receive it.
It’s important that people experiencing homelessness have the same access to government benefits as everyone else. Stimulus funds can go a long way to help people move from homelessness to housing, get basic needs met, and even pay off debt. At CFTH, we are hopeful that this information will help people navigate the process of accessing the benefits to which they are entitled. Clark County is fortunate to have many helpers, and together, we can make sure everyone impacted by the health and economic effects of COVID-19 receive the help they need.