Court Said Pandemic Relief Money Go to Prisoners

Prisoners got Relief Checks from the Pandemic Bills Trump Signed and Biden will Sign. NThe Trump's Internal Revenue Service (IRS) did try to Prevent Prisoners from getting Money from the First Bill. But Tax Law Experts across the Political spectrum said the IRS had No Authority to do this given that the Text of the Law did Not exclude Prisoners.

After Prisoners filed a Class-Action Lawsuit, a Federal Judge ruled, in October 2020, that the Government had to let Prisoners access the Cash. "The IRS did not try to pull the same stunt with the second bill," said Kelly Dermody, a Lawyer for the Plaintiffs in the Lawsuit.

Prisoners had to Submit New Paperwork to the IRS in order to Claim the Money, a Significant hurdle for some of them, and meet the Eligibility Rules.

Prisoners, like other Individuals, if Eligible for Checks up to $1,200 per Individual from the First Bill Trump Signed and up to $600 from the Second Bill Trump signed, depending on their Income.

Advocates for Prisoners say it makes sense to send Relief Money to People behind Bars.

The Prison Policy Initiative, a Research and Advocacy Organization, noted in 2020 that many Incarcerated People will be Released Soon and that High Pandemic-era Unemployment makes it especially Difficult for formerly Incarcerated People to get Jobs.

The Prison Policy Initiative also noted that Prisoners' Family Members and Friends on the Outside, many of them Low-Income People themselves, often have to bear the Burden of Paying for Prisoners' Basic supplies, Medical Co-Pays, Phone Calls, and Messages.

"Providing stimulus funds to incarcerated people helps protect the health and well-being of those behind bars and provides relief to their loved ones at home," the Prison Policy Initiative said in 2020.

Wanda Bertram, a Prison Policy Initiative Spokesperson, said Monday, that Prisoners continue to have "a lot of trouble" Accessing their Money from the First and Second Relief Bills.

"One common problem is the IRS sending people in prison these prepaid debit cards rather than checks, and debit cards are useless in prison. Lots of people have applied to receive checks that they never got last year and have heard nothing from the IRS. And for people who are getting the checks, we're still seeing criminal justice systems, child support agencies, and even private companies taking hundreds of dollars out before the check ever reaches the person," she said.










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