What are the COVID-19 Relief Bills?
April 7, 2020 / COVID-19
Legislative Overview
Updated 4/21/20 Updates are in Bold
The Ohio General Assembly and Congress recently finalized legislation to provide relief to individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic which included a $2 trillion stimulus package impacting daily life for people with disabilities. It is anticipated that an additional federal legislation package will be passed in the coming weeks. DRO will send further updates as they develop.
What is in the Congressional relief bill?
Stimulus Check
Included in this package is a direct stimulus check up to $1,200 per person making under $99,000 annually and $500 for each child or dependent.
Housing
There is also an additional $12 billion in funding for eviction and foreclosure protections. Money Follows the Person Program (which helps people transition out of congregate living settings into the community) has been extended to November 30, 2020.
Education
Congress provided additional funds for education programs which include the services required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
What is in Ohio's relief bill?
Voting
The General Assembly moved the election day to April 28th and allows for absentee ballot voting to occur until that date. For more information read our blog What’s the deal with Ohio’s primary?
Unemployment
If you become unemployed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the General Assembly has amended the requirements to receive unemployment compensation which includes: not requiring people to be seeking work; a person has become unemployed because of COVID-19 related to Ohio’s orders from the governor; and removing the requirement that a person must wait before receiving payments.
Education
Ohio’s relief bill included language that removes the requirement for students to complete school testing and exempts schools from administering these assessments
Questions about the stimulus check
With the passage of these major pieces of legislation, many questions regarding the stimulus checks remain. While not all the information is clear, as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is still working out the details, this is the most up-to-date guidance.
I already receive benefits through the state and federal government, will I still be receiving a stimulus check?
Yes, regardless of the benefits you receive (for instance, Supplemental Security Income, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or food stamps), you will still be getting a stimulus check.
Is there an impact on my benefits if I receive this check?
No, the stimulus will not be used in determining income and eligibility for any federal, state, or local benefits for the 12 months after receiving your check.
I didn’t file taxes for 2019, will I still be receiving a check?
Yes, if you have not yet filed in 2019 the IRS will use your 2018 taxes, and the information on that filing, to send you your check. Some individuals are not required to file taxes due to the benefits they receive. If this is you, then you are not required to file even now. The IRS will use whatever information you have on file through your benefits program to send you your check.
If you have not filed previously, you should go to the IRS portal at https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here. and enter as much information as you can so that you may be able to receive your stimulus fund more quickly.
Do I have to do anything to receive my stimulus check?
If you filed your taxes in 2018 or 2019, you do not need to take any action to receive your stimulus check. If you receive benefits other than SSDI, CDB, or DWB who have dependents under the age of 18, you are not required to take action to receive your stimulus payment. The IRS will use the benefits information they have on file for you to send your stimulus payment.
If you are an SSDI, CDB, or DWB beneficiary who has dependents under the age of 18 and didn't file taxes in 2018 or 2019, you must register as a non-filer with the IRS. Likewise, if you have any dependents 17 or under, you must register them with the IRS. The deadline to do this is Wednesday, April 22nd at 12 pm. The IRS announced this measure the evening of Monday, April 20th.
You can find a step-by-step guide on how to register with the IRS here: https://www.lascinti.org/get-help/coronavirus-information/.
You can go directly to the IRS' non-filer form to register here: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here?fbclid=IwAR2T2V6RYdR79uBD7XMs2jt9_WiqNVUPQZyKxoAzm8C6IslDztupnlzxFn4
How and when will I receive my stimulus check?
No official statement is available from the IRS on timing yet. But reports say that the IRS plans to begin sending out electronic checks beginning April 9th to individuals for whom they have direct deposit information. Paper checks will begin to be sent out to the remainder of individuals starting April 24th.
If you have any additional questions or issues not addressed here, stay up to date with information from the IRS here.
As we navigate this crisis if you have any issues feel free to contact DRO's intake department at 614-466-7264 or 1-800-282-9181, press option 2, and leave a voicemail. Intake Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Or you send a web intake using this form.