Article by:
Congressman Steven Horsford
Recovering from this pandemic means leaving no family behind. Thanks to the American Rescue Plan — the COVID-19 relief package that I voted to pass earlier this year — help is here for Nevada families.
The American Rescue Plan has expanded tax cuts for families with children, lowered health care costs, prevented evictions, and funded millions of vaccines to save lives.
Here’s how the American Rescue Plan can help you:
Money in Your Pocket
The American Rescue Plan is helping families build back from this pandemic. Already, this law has delivered $1,400 survival checks and one of the largest tax cuts for working families.
The American Rescue Plan includes the new and improved Child Tax Credit for families with children. This transformational tax cut will provide a monthly average of $435 to Nevada families, pumping $179.1 million into our economy each month through December.
Families can use online portals at IRS.gov/childtaxcredit to update their bank account information, submit non-filer information, or verify their eligibility for the Child Tax Credit.
This money is helping parents afford school supplies, rent and utility payments, and groceries — and I’m working to make this historic tax cut permanent to invest in our children’s future.
Vaccinations Save Lives
One of the top priorities of the American Rescue Plan was to get Americans vaccinated quickly. My top priority for this year is to crush the virus and get Nevada back to normal, which means getting our families, communities, and loved ones vaccinated. I received the Pfizer vaccine earlier this year and I know that every vaccine available is safe and effective.
Ready to get your vaccine? Go to nvcovidfighter.org to schedule your shot.
Rental and Housing Assistance for Nevada Families
The American Rescue Plan provides funding to help families who are struggling to pay their rent, mortgage, or utility payments.
In Clark County, the CARES Housing Assistance Program (CHAP) is accepting applications for rent and utilities aid with help from the American Rescue Plan. To determine your eligibility or start an application, visit chap.clarkcountynv.gov.
Homeowners who are struggling to pay their mortgage or at risk of foreclosure can access assistance through the Nevada Department of Business and Industry. These resources can be accessed at bit.ly/NVHomeownerAssistance.
Health Care
I worked with President Biden to ensure that every family can afford health care. Open enrollment in healthcare.gov will open back up in November, but families who recently lost health insurance or experienced other qualifying life events can get coverage through the marketplace now.
These life events include:
Losing health coverage
Moving
Getting married
Having a baby
Adopting a child
Learn more about this coverage at http://nevadahealthlink.com.
Nutrition Relief
Just last month, the Biden administration took action to increase Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for millions of American families.
This increase will mean that families who receive SNAP benefits will receive an average of $36 more per person per month. Looking to see if your family is eligible for SNAP benefits? Visit https://bit.ly/SNAPEligibility.
Support for Seniors
When we passed the American Rescue Plan, I fought hard to include provisions that support and protect older Nevadans.
This law includes a 10% increase in Medicaid funding, specifically for home and community-based services that help older Americans stay in their homes. Get more information on Medicaid in Nevada at medicaid.nv.gov.
The American Rescue Plan also includes funding for states to create specific teams for resident and employee safety in nursing homes, helping to protect our most vulnerable.
In addition, the law provided $37 million for senior nutrition through the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, ultimately improving the health of low-income seniors. Learn about this program at bit.ly/CSFPFactSheet.
Moving forward, I am committed to working with President Biden and my colleagues to pass legislation that will invest in our families’ futures through expanded paid leave, a permanent tax cut for working families, universal preschool, and two years of free community college for every Nevadan.
My office is here to provide the residents of the Fourth Congressional District with the resources they need to navigate federal agencies and learn about the benefits of the American Rescue Plan and upcoming legislation. You can call us at (702) 963-9360 or visit us online at http://horsford.house.gov.