Page 1 - Retiree News Spring 2021

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NEWS Mary E. Sullivan, President SPRING 2021
cseany.org
What the American Rescue Plan means for retirees
The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, which President Joe Biden recently signed into law, includes funding for services and programs that directly benefit retirees; much-needed aid to states and local governments and stimulus payments to eligible people.
This package delivers the aid that CSEA members have been fighting to secure to help prevent devastating cuts to essential services. Union members helped fight for the aid by contacting their Congressional representatives and U.S. Senators, as well as holding
socially-distanced events. Pelosi for their strong leadership Schumer also expressed his “Our union appreciates all in taking up the president’s call support for public workers who
the hard work of so many CSEA to get our governments back on provide vital services, particularly members who took the time to track from the severe economic during the pandemic.
fight for this needed aid over the impact of this pandemic and to “In our talks, he promised to past year,” CSEA President Mary help so many Americans who’ve fight for this aid to ensure essential E. Sullivan said. “We would not been struggling,” Sullivan said. workers didn’t face layoffs after have been successful without their “New York had no way of bridging all they’ve sacrificed and that efforts to help our state recover.” the budget gap we faced without public services wouldn’t be cut
Before the bill’s passage, Sullivan federal assistance or massive cuts. as New York tries to reopen and spoke with Senate Majority Leader Coming from New York, Majority recover,” Sullivan said. “Senator Chuck Schumer to reinforce the Leader Schumer knew what we Schumer delivered on his promises vital need for this aid. needed. He also understood the to CSEA and all New Yorkers, and
“We are beyond grateful to heroic role our public workers this stimulus package will help all Senate Majority Leader Schumer played throughout this crisis and working people and families.” and House Speaker (Nancy) will continue to play.”
What does this mean for New York and retirees?
$12.6 billion
in direct aid for New York State with an additional $10.6 billion for local
governments in Ne+
$1,400 per person
Direct payments of up to $1,400 per person (for those with a maximum income of $80,000 for individuals, $120,000 for single parents, or $160,000 for couples), with an additional $1,400 per dependent. These payments will not affect eligibility for Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income as long as any amount that pushes recipients above the program’s asset limits is spent within 12 months. Many of these payments have already been direct-deposited into taxpayer accounts.
Grandparents:
If you are a grandparent raising grandchildren and claim them as your dependents, you are eligible for direct financial support, including:
• Up to $1,400 per child in stimulus checks.
• Up to $1,600 extra per child in 2021 child tax credits.
The extra child tax credit is in addition to the usual $2,000 tax credit. Similar to the stimulus checks, the additional credit amount depends on your income level. The maximum extra amount is $1,600 for children under age six and $1,000 for children ages 6-17. Working grandparents raising grandchildren also may be eligible for other benefits to help pay for child care.
$4 billion
for health care, vaccines, and testing.
Nursing Homes
Legislation provides
means to help
nursing homes
more quickly contain
COVID-19 outbreaks through the use of “strike teams,” as well as additional funding for testing, contact tracing and vaccine access.
Other benefits:
The American Rescue Plan also includes new help paying housing costs, such as a mortgage, rent or utilities; money to support senior programs in your community; more funding to fight elder abuse; pension protections for certain private pension plans; and more.
w York.
Visit https://cseany.org/issues to learn more