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Major Recent Events
Senate Rejects “Skinny” COVID Relief Bill
On September 10, Senate Republicans failed to get enough votes to advance their pared-down version of the COVID-19 relief bill they introduced last month. This bill included a $300 unemployment benefit bonus; additional Paycheck Protection Program loans for businesses experiencing substantial revenue drops; additional education funding (including for private school scholarships); additional funding for development and distribution of vaccines, drugs, and other medical supplies; liability protections; and an expanded charitable tax deduction. This $650 billion bill did not include any of The Arc’s top priorities, which are:
- Increased federal funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) under Medicaid
- Increased access to personal protective equipment (PPE) for direct support professionals
- Expanded eligibility for economic impact payments to adult dependents and another round of payments
- Paid leave eligibility for family caregivers of adults with disabilities, including siblings and grandparents
We urge you to continue contacting your Senators here.
Speaker, White House Reach Agreement on Continuing Resolution
Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin have reached a broad outline to fund the federal government after appropriations expire on September 30. There will be no stimulus or other COVID-19 relief provisions. With limited exceptions, it will provide the same funding levels as the current fiscal year. Congressional leadership will continue to negotiate details, including consideration of disaster relief funding for areas affected by hurricanes or wildfires.
CDC Issues Eviction Moratorium Order
On September 1, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an eviction moratorium order that is in effect from September 4, 2020 to December 31, 2020. The temporary moratorium on evictions extends vital protections to tens of millions of renters at risk of eviction for nonpayment of rent during the global pandemic. The order applies to eligible renters in all jurisdictions, except where local state, local, or tribal areas have an eviction moratorium that provides greater protection. To be protected, a renter must submit a signed declaration to their landlord. The CDC has provided a model declaration form.
Since back rent will be due after the moratorium expires, The Arc will continue to advocate for needed rental assistance to protect renters and landlords who rely on rental income to maintain and operate their properties. For more information, go here and here.
Announcements
GAO Releases Report on Deaths, Bankruptcies, and Wait Times Among Social Security Benefit Appellees
On August 13, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a study on death, bankruptcies, and wait times among people appealing Social Security disability determinations. The report found that between the median wait time for people appealing their initial determination was 839 days between fiscal years (FY) 2008 and 2019. The annual death rate increased from 0.52% in 2011 to 0.72% in 2018. In that same period, 109,725 people died while awaiting a final determination. Between FY 2014 and 2019, approximately 48,000 people awaiting appeals filed bankruptcy.
CHN Holds Webinar on Using Census Surveys of Poverty, Income, and Health
On September 9, the Coalition on Human Needs held a webinar titled “Then and Now: How to Use New Census Surveys About Poverty, Income, and Health from 2019 and 2020.” Speakers were Jared Bernstein, Senior Fellow, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities; Arloc Sherman, Vice President of Data Analysis and Research, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities; and Deborah Weinstein, Executive Director, Coalition on Human Needs. Sign up here to view the webinar recording.
Federal Court Strikes Down Education Department Rule Increasing Funding for Private Schools
On September 8, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a decision striking down the Department of Education rule requiring school districts to distribute funding to private schools based on the total number of children attending private schools rather than the number of low income children who attend private schools. The Arc applauds this decision, which would ensure that approximately $1.3 billion from COVID-19 relief funding is not diverted from public schools. For more information click here.
Town Hall: The Arc’s Response to COVID-19 and Plans for the Future
Help spread the word for our October 7 Town Hall designed specifically for self-advocates, family members, caregivers, and service providers. Board President Fred Misilo and Chief Executive Officer Peter Berns will lead a panel discussion on The Arc’s response to the pandemic, the progress we have made, and the threats that remain – and they will also share the new Strategic Framework for the Future of The Arc. Register today!
The Arc is fighting for the human and civil rights of people with I/DD, and their right to live and be included in their communities. Our success depends on support from advocates like you. Donate today!
For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.
