From a press release:
Today, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA), Social Security Subcommittee Chairman John B. Larson (D-CT), Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), and Worker and Family Support Subcommittee Chairman Danny K. Davis (D-IL) wrote to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) to express their concerns over reported delays in automatically issuing stimulus checks to some of the most vulnerable Americans. In previous rounds of direct payments, IRS and SSA worked together to deliver assistance to Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), and Veterans Affairs (VA) beneficiaries automatically and promptly. There is no excuse for the delay this round, which puts critical assistance on hold for millions of Americans in need. ...
So didn't most SSA and VA recipients get all of their income continuously since the beginning of the pandemic? Most did not lose money because businesses closed, unlike their neighbors who lost jobs and their ability to provide for themselves. So why categorize them as the most vulnerable?? Their income remained constant. How were they more vulnerable than the unemployed?
ReplyDelete@12:18
ReplyDeleteThey are not more vulnerable due to a loss of income, they are more vulnerable due to their health conditions. As to why they would be experiencing financial hardship due to the pandemic, setting aside the fact that stimulus checks aren't meant to compensate for loss of income they are meant to stimulate the economy by increasing consumer spending, I expect some increase in costs would be experienced by the disabled. For example, cost of medical supplies (rubbing alcohol, masks, etc.) increased while SSA/VA benefits did not. Living on a fixed income also means any short-term changes in expenses is significant. This is also compounded by the fact that access to credit for people on government programs is extremely difficult, given those benefits are not attachable in general.
So, short answer: SSA/VA recipients are medically more vulnerable by definition; and are financially more vulnerable due to living on a fixed income.
Prices are rising, but SSA COLA is only once a year. It's getting very difficult. I thought the same thing as 12:18, because I am on benefits, I knew they wouldn't change, however, the price hikes on everything, including food, is a serious issue for those who have $300 left over after bills. That $300 excess is NOT going as far, not even close! I totally get 12:18! But on the other hand, prices are skyrocketing on certain things. Gas...wow. Try living on $300/mo (after bills) in a NORMAL situation, it's not easy. Now...well, fixed incomes are not as great as everyone thought/think they are at the moment. Gas is just flying up! You're totally right 2:08.
ReplyDeletewhere is my Stimmy?
ReplyDeleteOMG, so many 'Mericans have seen their 401(k) and investments skyrocket and they get stimulus. But let the fella getting $800 a month get one and it's somehow wrong.
ReplyDeleteI'm tired of waiting for a third stimulus! Ssi and ssdi should've been 1st to get it, not last or even at all. I'm so mad!
ReplyDeletePeople who are on a fixed income often depend on some help from others who are not. Many of those have had incomes reduced and are having trouble helping those they have helped before. The stimulus will help everybody.
ReplyDeleteANDREW SAUL HAS TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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