The spread of COVID-19 has unleashed a health and economic crisis of unprecedented scope. Economists estimate that millions of workers could lose their jobs by the summer, even with a sizeable stimulus package. This disaster has highlighted that many families were already only a paycheck away from economic disaster, and getting income assistance to families immediately is one of the most important tools we have to fight the impacts of this virus and stabilize the economy.

In order to help mitigate the economic devastation of COVID-19 and ensure an equitable recovery, lawmakers must take action to get income to people through policies like additional direct assistance payments and expansions of income supports (like Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) benefits).