Senator Clinton Works to Ensure New Yorkers Don't Lose Out on Economic Stimulus Checks

Press Release

Senator Clinton Works to Ensure New Yorkers Don't Lose Out on Economic Stimulus Checks

Clinton Issues Public Service Announcement and Launches Web Page to Help New Yorkers Who Have Not Received Stimulus Payments

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today announced that she is working with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and other federal agencies to ensure that New Yorkers who are eligible for economic stimulus payments are aware of what steps they must take to receive them. Senator Clinton today issued a public service announcementand launched a new page on her Senate website to assist New Yorkers who have not received their stimulus check from the IRS, or who have questions regarding their eligibility. It is necessary to file a federal tax return for 2007 in order to receive the stimulus payment, but because some groups, such as recipients of Veterans and Social Security benefits, as well as low income individuals, are not normally required to file federal taxes, they may be missing out on these checks. In New York City alone, as of June 19, 2008, 204,567 recipients of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits had not yet filed, and Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse all have thousands of residents who have yet to file their 2007 tax return. The deadline to file a tax return is October 15, 2008, so there is still time.

"The economic stimulus payments were designed to offer immediate relief to families struggling to make ends meet in the current economic downturn, with soaring energy prices and a spiraling mortgage crisis. Unfortunately, those Americans who need help the most, seniors on fixed incomes, veterans who depend on benefits from the VA, and others who might not file income tax forms, may be missing out on their stimulus payments. That is why I am doing everything I can to spread the word to all New Yorkers that there is still time to collect their payment. I urge everyone to visit my website and seek more information from the government agencies that stand ready to offer assistance," Senator Clinton said.

Senator Clinton has been a vocal advocate for providing relief during these tough economic times. Early in 2008, Senator Clinton welcomed the announcement of the bipartisan stimulus package that offered payments to more than 100 million hardworking Americans. The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 generally provided for payments of $600 ($1,200 for married couples filing joint returns or the amount equal to the 2007 net income tax liability, whichever is less, ), plus $300 for each qualifying child. Payments also begin to phase out for individuals with adjusted gross incomes greater than $75,000 ($150,000 married couples filing jointly). For people who have no tax liability or no tax filing requirement, there is a minimum payment of $300 ($600 for married couples), plus the $300 for each qualifying child. To be eligible for the minimum payment, individuals must have at least $3,000 in qualifying income. Qualifying income includes any combination of earned income, nontaxable combat pay and certain benefit payments from Social Security, Veterans Affairs and Railroad Retirement.

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