Some States Still Putting Seniors at Risk by Failing to Issue Stay-at-Home Orders

The current patchwork of state social distancing policies continues to threaten vulnerable populations, including older Americans. States that were late or continue to avoid enacting social distancing policies are more likely to be home to populations older than the national average, according to public health experts.

The idea of risking the health of older people and those working on the front lines to boost the overall economy has been endorsed by several conservative elected officials, including Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and this week, Rep. Trey Hollingsworth (IN).

“Besides the moral issues, this idea is dangerous,” said Joseph Peters, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance. “More infections and casualties will again grind the economy to a halt.”

Americans over the age of 50 years and older account for 40% of U.S. gross domestic product despite being 35% of the population.

U.S. Postal Service Threatened by Coronavirus Pandemic

Millions of Americans, especially retirees, rely on the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) for daily home delivery of mail, medicines and important goods and services no matter where they live.  

Like many institutions, the coronavirus pandemic has hit the Postal Service hard as business activity has slowed.

The federal government has approved hundreds of billions of dollars to help individuals, small businesses and big corporations. The House of Representatives sought to include relief for the Postal Service but it was not included in any of the stimulus bills passed so far. In March, the president personally rejected Postal Service funding and his administration even suggested it would block the Congressional stimulus package if it included help for the USPS, according to the Washington Post.

The Postal Service was given a loan, but it won’t be enough. Without more funding, the Postmaster General told Congress it will run out of money in September, just before vote by mail and absentee voting for the 2020 presidential election gets underway.

“Our Postal Service is a vital American institution that has served our nation for more than 200 years,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance. “Congress can’t let it fail.”

TAKE ACTION: Demand more USPS funding in the next coronavirus stimulus package by signing our petition to Congress.

Automatic Stimulus Checks Coming for Supplemental Security Income Recipients

On Wednesday, the Social Security Administration announced that Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients with no qualifying children will automatically receive payments from the coronavirus stimulus package without having to fill out additional forms, even if they do not file a tax return.

SSI recipients will get payments directly in their bank accounts in the same way they normally receive their benefits. People can expect these payments no later than early May, according to the Treasury Department.

“This is welcome news. Next we need to take care of people who receive veterans’ pensions but do not file a tax return, so they don’t have to file burdensome, unnecessary forms,” said Robert Roach, Jr., President of the Alliance.

Recipients with qualifying children under 17 should use the ‘Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here’ portal so they can receive additional benefits. 

Seniors 62 and older who receive Social Security retirement benefits, including those affected by the windfall elimination provision (WEP) and government pension offset (GPO), individuals who receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, and railroad retirees will automatically receive a stimulus payment.

Complete the 2020 Census Online; Check How Many in Your Community Have Responded So Far!

The importance of having an accurate census - a count of all people living in the United States - cannot be overstated. The results of the census determine how many representatives a community will have in

Congress and state legislatures as well as how federal dollars for Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP (formerly known as food stamps), and other vital services are distributed. Being counted is critical for seniors who rely on these programs.

For the first time, the 2020 census will be primarily conducted online. The census will ask a few simple questions about you and everyone who is living with you as of April 1, 2020. If you have lost your census form, you can call the Census Bureau Customer Service Center at 1-800-923-8282.

To track how your community is responding to the 2020 Census, check out this interactive response rate map from the Census Bureau.

“Make sure that you, your neighbors and family members are counted by encouraging everyone to fill out the 2020 Census form,” said President Roach. “The data collected will affect how well the needs of seniors will be met for the next ten years.”

Your community is relying on you to fill out the census, and the cost of not responding is high. Learn more here.

Alliance Cancels 2020 Regional Meetings; Registration Fees Being Refunded 

In light of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations against holding  large gatherings and non-essential travel, the Alliance has canceled its Midwest (Detroit, April 27-28), Western (Las Vegas, May 12-13), Northeast (Washington, DC, May 28-29) and Southern (Orlando, June 5-6) regional meetings. 

As soon as Alliance staff can safely return to the headquarters office in Washington, DC, we will return the original checks we received from members who paid by check. If you paid your registration fee online, the Alliance will reverse the charges to your credit card account. 

If you have any questions, please contact Joni Jones at [email protected], [email protected] or 888-373-6497.

Thanks for reading. Every day, we're fighting to lower prescription drug prices and protect retirees' earned benefits and health care. But we can't do it without your help. Please support our work by donating below.