Oregon’s stimulation program exceeded three days after it started

Oregon’s one-time emergency relief check program of $ 35 million ran out just three days after the state began distributing stimulus checks to residents, state officials said on Friday. .

The offices of Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek and Senate Speaker Peter Courtney have confirmed that the 70,000 available payments of $ 500 each were distributed shortly after the program opened on Wednesday. .

“I want to thank the financial institutions that have stepped up in an emergency and continue to work so hard to put money into the hands of desperate Oregonians,” Courtney said in a press release Friday. “We’ve said all along that we know it’s not enough money to help everyone who needs it. But we had to take steps to get money straight to people as quickly as possible, and that’s a great example of Oregonians being involved. to help our most vulnerable. “

Officials reported that 62% of payments were made to Oregonians living outside of the Portland metropolitan area.

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“It was difficult to predict when the funding would run out as it was a one of a kind program, but we knew the demand would be very high,” said Danny Moran, a spokesperson for the office. by Kotek. Newsweek.

“This sends a clear signal that more needs to be done at the federal level to support Oregon and the Americans who have been devastated by the pandemic,” he added.

The program was approved by state lawmakers in July. The $ 35 million was allocated to the program from dollars in the Federal Coronavirus Relief Fund to help Oregonians facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Residents over the age of 18 who earned $ 4,000 a month or less before taxes were eligible for one-time stimulus checks. Recipients must also certify that they are in serious financial difficulty as a result of Governor Kate Brown’s Stay Home, Save Lives executive orders.

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“While we know that these limited funds are not enough and will not allow us to help everyone, we felt it was important to try something,” Tina Kotek said in a press release announcing the launch of the program. “After months of hearing from increasingly desperate Oregonians doing everything right and still not getting the unemployment they were due, we hope this effort provides a streamlined means for some financial relief.” The state is stepping up and hopefully Congress will act soon to provide more support that is desperately needed.

In the first hour that the program began, Kotek told KOIN that 100 people had already applied and by mid-afternoon around 4,000 people had already been paid.

Residents lined up in more than 150 places where they were able to receive relief checks.

Jesse Coy told Fox-affiliated KPTV that he stood in line for two hours, but called the wait “worth it”.

“I have nothing else to do.… I’m out of work right now. I haven’t had a job here for a few months, and it’s been tough,” Coy said.

Due to the current global health crisis, millions of Americans have lost their jobs. Although Congress was quick to act on a coronavirus relief plan in March, disagreements between House Democrats and Senate Republicans stalled a second stimulus deal.

“The past few days have highlighted how dire the needs are across the state,” Kotek said in a statement. “We need to get more money to help people. The federal government has the ability to make direct stimulus payments to Americans whose lives are in danger and don’t. I find that incredibly frustrating and disappointing.”

Last week, Congress left for the August recess without reaching a deal, which means many Americans, whose first round of federal funding has run out, will find themselves without any financial assistance until September at most. early.

Update 8/21/20 4:48 PM This story has been updated with comments from Moran.