Issue Brief: The U.S. Treasury Can and Should Ensure that Stimulus Payments Go for Families’ Food and Necessities, not to Debt Collectors

By: Lauren Saunders, Margot Saunders

April 14, 2020 — Issue Brief

Millions of Americans have suffered an immediate and dramatic loss of income as a result of the
COVID-19 shut down. To help these Americans, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic
Security (CARES) Act provides for payments to individuals up to $1,200 so that people can pay
for food, rent, utilities, medicine, and other basic necessities.