Most people are aware of the rules regarding who receives the stimulus payments from the government. Social Security recipients and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients are eligible for these payments and children under the age of 17 also qualify for an additional $500 payment, but there are many young people who are being left out in the cold. When did a 17-year-old become an adult?
Not only are 17-year-olds not eligible for the dependent child payment, neither are others who are 18 or 19 who are still in school and neither are dependent adults who have disabilities.
Two Minnesota members of Congress, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith and U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, both from Minnesota are trying change that. Both lawmakers introduced bills that would extend the eligibility for the payments to more dependent young people. Although there is not a lot of traction in either the House or Senate, one organization is noticing and lending its support.
The Consortium For Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) sent a letter to both lawmakers identifying the issues with not extending payments to more young Americans and thanking both Craig and Smith for their efforts. Below is a portion of the letter sent to the Minnesota lawmakers.
The undersigned members of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) and allies write in support of your efforts to provide dependent stimulus payments to adult dependents, many of whom are people with disabilities. We thank you for your work to make sure all dependents are treated equitably and receive the help they need during this difficult time. CCD is the largest coalition of national organizations working together to advocate for federal public policy that ensures the self-determination, independence, empowerment, integration and inclusion of children and adults with disabilities in all aspects of society.
