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Some Relief Now in Sight for Millions of Older Americans
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Dear John,
This should be welcome news for many struggling older Americans.
Yesterday Congress passed a comprehensive COVID-19 relief deal after months of negotiations. While we had hoped the final COVID-19 relief package would go further in helping millions of older Americans who have been hit especially hard both financially and physically by the pandemic, it is an important first step to helping Americans recover from this public health and economic crisis.
There’s a lot in this bill, but here’s what you need to know:
The relief package now includes another round of economic relief payments — $600 for adults and $600 per child for individuals earning up to $75,000. Though not as generous as last summer’s $1,200 payments, any additional money would no doubt help older Americans living on fixed incomes who face rising costs for everything from housing to prescription drugs. Most Social Security beneficiaries will receive their stimulus payments automatically, though some will get paid sooner than others.
It includes extended unemployment benefits in the amount of $300 per week. Additional unemployment assistance will be a lifeline for older workers who may have been furloughed or fallen ill with COVID, who are not yet eligible for Social Security.
The legislation provides $25 billion in emergency assistance for Americans struggling to pay rent; it would also extend a ban on evictions through January 2021. This could represent real relief to seniors who have been renting homes in greater numbers during the past decade or so.
The bill includes critical funding for COVID vaccine distribution, testing and extra relief for health care providers.
It also protects patients from surprise medical bills and establishes a fair framework to resolve payment disputes between health care providers and health insurance companies.
This is a good start, but when the incoming Congress convenes the National Committee will be putting maximum pressure on lawmakers to fix the “notch” in Social Security benefits for workers turning 60, and provide Social Security beneficiaries with an emergency bump in benefits.
We also support a critical bill from U.S. Representative Peter DeFazio (OR-04) to enact a 3% Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment to make up for paltry COLAs in recent years (including the meager 1.3% scheduled for 2021).
With so much at stake for millions of older Americans who are counting on their earned benefits to be there for them when they need it the most, please consider supporting the National Committee’s important battle to protect Social Security and Medicare by making a donation in any amount today.
Sincerely,
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Max Richtman
President & CEO
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