About 12 million Americans risk missing out on the stimulus payments provided through the recent CARES Act because they must file a form to receive it — unlike millions of people who are receiving the payments automatically from the IRS.

These funds would go to extremely low-income individuals and families at a time when need is rising due to the pandemic.

This group of people eligible for payments are disproportionately people of color because they are likelier to have lower incomes due to historical racism and ongoing bias and discrimination.

Ensuring that low-income people of color receive the payments is especially important given emerging evidence that they are being hit hardest by both the economic and health effects of the pandemic.

Governors and other state officials can play a central role in reaching these 12 million individuals, up to 9 million of whom participate in SNAP or Medicaid, which states and counties administer.

Together, these people are eligible to receive $12 billion in payments.

Helping these people apply for and receive the payments for which they qualify will also benefit local and state economies, in which much of the money will be spent.