Georgia U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock are making good on their promise to deliver significant COVID-19 relief to Georgia families.
During a press conference Thursday morning lead by Leader Chuck Schumer, Georgia Senators Ossoff and Warnock stated that the relief bill would send $8,200 in federal support for a working family of four in Georgia, making less than $75,000. Ossoff added that the aid being sought for Georgians under President Joe Biden’s “American Rescue Plan” also includes the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), which would provide an estimated $1.2 billion in direct grants to institutions in Georgia.
In addition, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, minority-serving institutions, and tribal colleges and universities would also receive a 7.5 percent share of the HEERF fund.
Senator Raphel Warnock added, that “The people of Georgia sent Senator Ossoff and me to the Senate with a mandate to address the devastation of this public health and economic crisis — for our state and the country.” He continued saying, “Getting this once-in-a-century pandemic under control starts with securing as much relief as possible to as many Georgians as possible—and I’m going to keep pushing until it’s done.”
Warnock also weighed in on the urgency of Medicaid expansion in Georgia. Under President Joe Biden’s “American Rescue Plan,” a Medicaid expansion incentive would provide health care to approximately 500,000 Georgians if accepted by the state. Georgia will receive nearly $2 billion in additional Medicaid spending over two years if it expands Medicaid.
Leader Schumer, Senators Ossoff, and Warnock have been working on a bipartisan basis to address the urgent needs of the most severe health and economic crisis our country has faced in generations.
Here is a breakdown of the outline of the aid they are working to secure for Georgia families:
Direct Payments: In President Biden’s rescue plan, a family of four earning $75,000 annually would receive a total of $5,600 in direct payments from this relief bill for themselves and their 4-year-old and 8-year-old children. They would also see a $2,600 increase in benefits through an enhanced Child Tax Credit. This family would receive $8,200 in additional, direct relief to help weather the economic crisis between these two benefits alone.
Medicaid expansion incentive: If accepted by the state, this Medicaid expansion incentive would provide health care to approximately 500,000 Georgians currently locked out of any financial assistance for health coverage. Georgia will receive nearly $2 billion in additional Medicaid spending over two years if it expands Medicaid, by far enough to fully cover the cost of expansion.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Like previous COVID-19 relief packages, the American Rescue Plan will include a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF); this fund would provide an estimated $1.2 billion in direct grants to institutions in Georgia. In addition, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Minority Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities would receive a 7.5% share of the HEERF fund, which accounts for nearly $3 billion in relief for these institutions.
Relief for Black Farmers: The American Rescue Plan will provide debt relief and support for Black, Indigenous, and farmers of color who have faced historical discrimination, been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, and are largely left out of the previous administration’s emergency COVID programs.
Rental and Mortgage Assistance: Senators are building on the $710 million for rental assistance from the December COVID package, working to secure at least $550M more in this package. Georgia is also likely to get over $200 million in a new homeowner assistance fund that will allow low and moderate-income families to pay their mortgage and utility costs.
Vaccine Distribution: The bill provides $20 billion in vaccine distribution funding, including for CDC and FEMA to set up state and federal distribution sites, outreach and education campaigns, support for states to fund vaccinators, and more.
K-12 School Funding: The American Rescue Plan will include an Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSERF), which will provide Georgia with an estimated $4.4 billion in emergency relief for schools to reopen across the state safely. These flexible funds will allow schools to cover COVID-related expenses, reduce class size, implement social distancing guidelines, and address other instructional needs. In addition, school districts would be required to dedicate 20% of their allocations towards addressing learning loss.
Click here for additional details on President Biden’s American Rescue Plan.