“The bills don’t stop just because you lost your job,” said Tony Ivory, a Memphis resident.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Congress is about to pass the $ 1.9 trillion COVID stimulus package.
Historic law provides relief to millions of Americans who were affected during the year-long pandemic. The bill is the largest to date and we take a look at its impact on poverty. Local 24-news reporter Brittani Moncrease spoke to a Memphis resident and organization fighting the problem.
Poverty is a systemic problem in which many parts overlap. This latest stimulus package is designed to directly attack the problem.
“The bills don’t stop just because you lost your job,” said Tony Ivory, a Memphis resident.
For Ivory, the bills kept coming and going. At the beginning of the pandemic, he lost his job and paid weekly child support, but when the first stimulus check was introduced, Ivory didn’t get it.
“You said even though you paid every week, you are still behind. We’ll take your incentive, ”said Ivory. “Mentally, that was the hardest part. It was like my next step. ”
Ivory is counting on the help of the latest economic stimulus plan aimed at reducing poverty, starting with tax credits for children. Families with children will receive a monthly check between $ 250 and $ 300 per child starting in July. Individuals earning $ 75,000 and couples up to $ 150,000 would receive $ 1,400. They would also receive an additional $ 1,400 for each addict.
“I believe this is the largest bill of its kind in American history,” said David Jordan, President and CEO of Agape Child and Family Services. “We work with almost 11 hundred families. 47% of those we spoke to recently said they had lost income and lost their jobs due to COVID. Since COVID was so significant, we must have a significant response. ”
The $ 1.9 trillion bill also targets unemployment benefits, education, and programs for low-income families. It would reduce child poverty in black families by 45% and 50%.
“If you look at Memphis in terms of poverty, child poverty, or poverty in terms of families, Memphis is historically in the top 5 communities with 500,000 or more,” Jordan said.
He said only 2.6% of those born and living in poverty make it to Memphis.
Hear from a Memphis resident, Tony Ivory, who lost his job at the beginning of the pandemic and struggled to stay afloat. pic.twitter.com/ncKY1RV0Ym
– Brittani Moncrease (@ Local24Brittani) March 10, 2021
“In my opinion, this is an important bridge to help. Does it answer everything? No. Are there any systemic issues that still need to be put on the table? Bet you, ”said Jordan.
“I think for many of us, with the right budget and planning, this could be a start to a fresh start,” said Ivory.
The bill has yet to be passed in the House, and then it will go to President Joe Biden for final approval.
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