Economic Stimulus Check Eligibility

Dear Parish Social Minister: 

Your help is needed in getting the word out to the 12 million individuals who could claim, but haven’t, their economic stimulus check.  The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) have provided all the resources needed below to have the conversation with those you serve to help determine if they are eligible and, if so, how to file.  Please help share this information throughout your networks. 

• CBPP has issued a new analysis on the estimated 12 million people who are eligible for Economic Impact Payments (EIP) but who must file an online form with the IRS to claim the funds. The paper provides demographic information about the group, includes state by state numbers, and offers suggestions for steps that states as well as community service providers can take to help this group of very vulnerable individuals claim the substantial EIP payment ($1,200 for adults and $500 for children).

• CBPP has also developed resources that organizations can use to support EIP outreach work including FAQs, an informational flyer, sample social media posts, and outreach templates (blog post, press release, and emails). These resources are available through CBPP’s Get it Back campaign, which has promoted refundable tax credits and free tax filing assistance for more than 30 years.  

Eligible individuals have until October 15th to file for their EIP this year.  

Here's you can help:

• Share: It's important that we inform our networks that 12 million individuals with very low-income can claim an EIP by filing a form with the IRS. Feel free to retweet the Center’s post about the paper on social media.
• Activate: Encourage your networks to take action to assist individuals to file or to connect individuals to help. Our outreach resources include some tips on how to do this.
• Advocate: We estimate that some 9 million of the eligible individuals are enrolled in SNAP and Medicaid. Governors, tribal leaders and local leaders along with the agencies that operate those programs can play a big role in reaching eligible people. Let's challenge our local leaders to help all eligible people claim these funds.  
• Collaborate: Become a partner in our national EIP Outreach Campaign. Join a growing group of national organizations committed to helping eligible people get their EIPs.

We hope we can count on you to join efforts to help leverage the estimated $12 billion EIPs available for 12 million eligible people. This work could not be more timely.

Thank you for your kind consideration.