Stimulus Package Likely to Leave Many Autism Families Behind
This is from a financial expert in the autism community. I had to chuckle at "consult your tax advisor. I yelled at the Turbo Tax disc, but it didn't answer me. I tried to find a "bend over" graphic, but that search didn't go to well..... KIM
###
"Update on Stimulus payments. According to the Wall Street Journal, the plan excludes anyone who isn't a child and who can be claimed as someone else's dependent. That includes:
"Some high-school students, college students and some disabled and elderly people, many of whom show up on the tax returns of the people they live with who provide most of their support."
Essentially, once a child turns 17, the parent will not get $500 for them. While not explicitly said, it appears that if your adult child is receiving SSI AND you claim them as a dependent on your tax return, they will not get the $1,200 nor will you get $500 for them (see the example of the 71 year old dependent). Consult your tax advisor to see your particular situation."
Below is the Wall Street Journal article he linked.
Who’s Left Out of Coronavirus Stimulus Payments? Many College Students, Adult Dependents Money will go to adults and children, but millions of others won’t get paid
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL WASHINGTON—The government is preparing to send one-time payments to most Americans to help them cope with the coronavirus outbreak, but that is little comfort for many college students and adult dependents who are left out.
The economic-relief law signed by President Trump on Friday provides $1,200 to most adults and $500 for children under age 17. That money—$292 billion—will start flowing within weeks from the Internal Revenue Service into bank accounts. People with little or no income can qualify, which means money will flow to retired people and people who don’t normally file tax returns. The benefit phases out for individuals with income above $75,000 and married couples with income above $150,000.
However, the plan excludes anyone who isn’t a child and who can be claimed as someone else’s dependent. Who is in that group? Some high-school students, college students and some disabled and elderly people, many of whom show up on the tax returns of the people they live with who provide most of their support.
Anyone who has reached majority is entitled to be adjudicated for disability benefits. This has nothing to do with the "age-out" of school regs. Majority is 18 years of age for Federal purposes.
I understand the struggle. Don't give up. Never give in.
Posted by: Mark Wax | March 31, 2020 at 09:59 AM
This may still be a question mark. What remains to be seen is if the checks that go to people on SSI, SSDI Veterans benefits, and SS retirement will be direct regardless of filing status and as such disregard the age issues or if they will be screened as well for age.
The high school seniors and college students are completely left out and so far, will not see refunds for unused room, board, meal plans and fees...and if their school has not reopened with distance learning or they can't access it where they live, they stand to have to pay back all their aide as well.
The people running this have no idea who America even is.
Posted by: Victoria J West | March 30, 2020 at 10:17 PM
Everyone call your senators and congresspeople. They are trying to devise better additional bills they just wanted to get this one out. Explain that they need to cover adult children with disabilities. In my case my child is a senior in high schooll but he's 19.
Posted by: Carolyn Barolyn | March 30, 2020 at 08:07 PM
Perhaps Dr. Fauci who enjoys putting on a show, could spend some time with RFK Jr. and answer a few simple questions for a few hours. This would boost America's confidence in the soon to be CV vaccine.
Posted by: go Trump | March 30, 2020 at 08:03 PM
The powers that be NEVER miss an opportunity to cause further hardship and despair on parents of children/adults with autism … NEVER … in fact they seem to take pleasure in parceling out hardship and despair to those parents.
**********
They're psychopaths. It's what they do.
Posted by: Barry | March 30, 2020 at 06:23 PM
My son does not receive SSI. He receives nothing. We did claim him as an dependent though.
Posted by: Benedetta | March 30, 2020 at 12:41 PM
Any adult that has autism should either be on the record of the parents SSA record, entitled to 50% of the parents benefit as SSDI, OR if the parent is not retired, the adult should be receiving SSI. The standard deduction of appx 12,000 provides shelter for 2,400 assuming your tax bracket is 20%. There is no reason that the disabled should not be treated under the same rules as a minor child. The adult on SSDI is getting the full $1200. The Congress should be petitioned to fix this in the next rewrite of the bill
Posted by: Mark Wax | March 30, 2020 at 09:36 AM
The powers that be NEVER miss an opportunity to cause further hardship and despair on parents of children/adults with autism … NEVER … in fact they seem to take pleasure in parceling out hardship and despair to those parents.
The obvious reason they specifically exclude adults with autism living with parents is because THERE ARE SO MANY OF THEM … probably the largest group of DEPENDENT ADULTS in the country .. hence … exclude them is their easy answer.
Posted by: Bob Moffit | March 30, 2020 at 08:01 AM