WASHINGTON, DC - Democrat Representatives Ro Khanna, of California, and Tim Ryan, of Ohio, have introduced the Emergency Money for the People Act to provide additional cash payments for those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. "While the CARES Act was an important first step, its one-time payment does not provide nearly enough support for American families," says a joint statement.

If approved by Congress, the Emergency Money for the People Act proposes to expand relief to more Americans and include a $2,000 monthly payment to every qualifying American over the age of 16 for up to 12 months. It also differs from the CARES Act to give college students and adults with disabilities payments, even if claimed as a dependent. The Emergency Money for the People Act also would allow individuals to get their money through direct deposit, check, pre-paid debit card, or mobile money platforms such as Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal.

“A one-time, twelve-hundred-dollar check isn’t going to cut it,” said Rep. Ro Khanna. “Americans need sustained cash infusions for the duration of this crisis in order to come out on the other side alive, healthy, and ready to get back to work. Members on both sides of the aisle are finally coming together around the idea of sending money out to people. Rep. Ryan and I are urging leadership to include this bill in the fourth COVID relief package to truly support the American working class.”

“The economic impact of this virus is unprecedented for our country. As millions of Americans file for unemployment week over week, we have to work quickly to patch the dam – and that means putting cash in the hands of hard-working families,” said Congressman Tim Ryan. “Many Ohioans are just receiving – or about to receive – the first cash payment we passed in the CARES Act. Now it’s time for Congress to get to work on the next step to provide relief for those who have been hardest hit in this pandemic.”

Under the Emergency Money for the People Act, monthly cash assistance payments would be guaranteed for at least six months and would renew for another six months unless the employment-to-population ratio for people ages 16 and older returns to the pre-covid crisis employment level of 60%. These payments would not count as income in order to protect eligibility for any of the income-based state or federal government assistance programs.

Eligibility: