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By Kathy Wray Coleman, associate publisher, editor-in-chief
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ohio Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), a Toledo Democrat whose ninth congressional district extends to Cleveland, issued a statement on Thursday after the Trump administration announced, in a reversal, that seniors who receive social security and who do not usually file tax returns will automatically receive their coronavirus stimulus checks is direct deposit.
People who filed tax returns in either 2018 or 2019 will receive stimulus monies directly, those who qualify for the federal give-out.
A previous administration rule would have required that social security recipients who do not file tax returns jump through unnecessary, bureaucratic hoops in order to receive their checks and the congresswoman said that the extra hurdles would have likely meant millions of seniors would have missed out on the stimulus payment.
The longest serving woman in Congress, Rep. Kaptur previously released a statement calling on the Trump administration to reverse its decision, which it has now done.
She said in a statement Thursday that she is pleased with the changed decision.
“I’m glad the Trump administration reversed course after widespread criticism from elected officials, including myself, and outcry from the public,” said Rep. Kaptur. “Our office has received countless calls from seniors who were understandably confused and distraught."
The federal lawmaker said that it should have never come to that, and that on top of that, "the previous rule would have likely resulted in people leaving their homes during a pandemic to seek help from a tax adviser, potentially putting the health and safety of our most vulnerable populations in harm’s way."
"Moving forward, " said Kaptur, "we must hold the administration to its promise that seniors will automatically get their $1200.00 stimulus checks without having to jump through unnecessary hoops."
Kaptur said she thanks America’s senior citizens, their advocates, and America’s ability community for their firm advocacy.
"The alliance of America’s seniors and disability rights community is a real force to be reckoned with," the congresswoman said. "I think President Trump and his advisers may have just learned that and I was pleased to join with dozens of my colleagues to support their just cause.”
Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, Ohio's most read Black digital newspaper and Black blog.Tel: (216) 659-0473 and Email: editor@clevelandurbannews.com. We interviewed former president Barack Obama one-on-one when he was campaigning for president. As to the Obama interview, CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AT CLEVELAND URBAN NEWS.COM, OHIO'S LEADER IN BLACK DIGITAL NEWS.