The idea to funnel millions of dollars to people to try and help them weather the economic hardships during the coronavirus pandemic is gaining even more traction. 

 

On Monday, Valley Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) and Ro Khanna (CA-17) announced a cash infusion plan that would put money directly in the pockets of those who are struggling during the COVID-19 crisis. 

The bill was introduced March 13. 

 

This cash infusion plan would give a monthly check of at least $1,000 for every American and up to $3,000 for families with children. "Our bill proposes at least every citizen get a $2,000 check, with some people who will get more.  There will be a limit for people who make $130,000 a year, and couples who make $260,000 a year won't be eligible, but every citizen will get money," said Representative Ryan.

 

The money would be sent every month, for six months -- with the ability for Congress to renew the plan for another six months.  Each individual is guaranteed at least $1k a month under the proposal, though that number increases for households with children.

 

An example Ryan uses: A married couple with two children who make $130k or less: $1k + $1k + $1k (2 kids) = $3k.  They would receive $3k per month for six months.

Their total would be $18k.  This would operate as a temporary, emergency Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), allowing the IRS to access 2019 Tax Return Information to ease the cutting and sending of the checks.

 

Under Congressman Ryan's plan, those who earned $0, were unemployed, or who are currently unemployed will also be eligible, and the payments would not count as income to protect eligibility for any of the income-based state or federal government assistance programs (e.g., Medicaid/SNAP).

Ryan says, "under these guidelines, a majority of working-class Americans will receive the help they need during these trying times."