# How does the government get cash to deserving people and businesses amid the corona virus? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [March 18, 2020, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-government-get-cash-to-deserving-people-and-businesses-amid-the-corona-virus/849703 "2020-03-18T02:27:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![davidmich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e56c9b/32.png) [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-government-get-cash-to-deserving-people-and-businesses-amid-the-corona-virus/849703/1 "2020-03-18T02:27:21Z")
Hi How does the government get cash to deserving people amid the corona virus? It’s all very well to talk about handing out cash to people and businesses but as 9/11 taught us, compensation and bailouts can be abused. There will be abuse of policy. How does the governor ensure people and businesses asking for cash are really in need of it, I look forward to your feedback. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-government-get-cash-to-deserving-people-and-businesses-amid-the-corona-virus/849703/2 "2020-03-18T03:36:53Z")
Here are two methods: 1. Mailing a $1,000 check to every American (Trump’s policy) 2. Funding the unemployment insurance payments and loosening some restrictions for people laid off due to coronavirus There will also be big bailouts for business. I expect abuse. ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-government-get-cash-to-deserving-people-and-businesses-amid-the-corona-virus/849703/3 "2020-03-18T04:57:39Z")
If they already getting payments from the government direct deposited into their banking accounts I would assume they could do that with an extra $1000 payment. ---
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-government-get-cash-to-deserving-people-and-businesses-amid-the-corona-virus/849703/4 "2020-03-18T05:08:11Z")
Mail checks to everyone, living or dead, with a current valid mailing address (foreclosed buildings and homeless encampments excepted) and let them find open financial institutions with employees willing to handle checks and cash, preferably flash-sterilized. Debit cards would be simpler. For the homeless there’s the Iranian-Afghan subsidy solution. Instead of just deplaning pallette-loads of fresh bills for local strongmen to handle, fly over the new TrampTowns (neo-Hoovervilles) dumping bundles of twenties for the scum to fight over. The strong will dominate, of course - yet more economic Darwinism. How to avoid fraud? Distribute only cash in controlled settings. Require all recipients of cash payouts to line up (two yards apart) and be tattooed (a red star in mid-forehead) to show they’ve taken their due. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-government-get-cash-to-deserving-people-and-businesses-amid-the-corona-virus/849703/5 "2020-03-18T05:14:01Z")
> [@davidmich](#): > > Hi > How does the government get cash to \*\*deserving \*\*people amid the corona virus? …deserving is a subjective, not an objective measure. As such its really about how you want to define what “deserving” means. That’s an obvious prerequisite to this discussion. How do you think we should be deciding who does and who doesn’t deserve assistance? How are you defining what is and isn’t “abuse?” ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-government-get-cash-to-deserving-people-and-businesses-amid-the-corona-virus/849703/6 "2020-03-18T05:22:24Z")
I really need the extra $$$. I’m still employed, work from home for over a year, but the recent spending spree has hit me. Bartenders make more than me, but they’re the ones who need it first, that’s for sure. Them and the rest of the service industry. Even health service industry. I have friends who are nannies. They’re shit out of luck too. The married couple who clean my mom’s house? I think they’re temporarily out of business, too… It’s endless. But I think I’d go for the unemployment adjustment first, so all my service industry friends and the like get a boost when they get their first unemployment check. Realistically, out here in L.A., friends back in NJ, PA, NY… this is going to last longer than two weeks. I doubt on the 31st we’ll have carte blanche to reopen everything-- theaters, bars, big restaurants, concerts, etc. So if you were full time at Staples’ Center this year in concessions, I think it may be months for regular events and regular life to return. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-government-get-cash-to-deserving-people-and-businesses-amid-the-corona-virus/849703/7 "2020-03-18T05:27:20Z")
They’ll prolly do it the same way that they’re doing COVID-19 testing: make sure the rich and the famous get what they want/need first, then maybe the rest of us can have some too. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-government-get-cash-to-deserving-people-and-businesses-amid-the-corona-virus/849703/8 "2020-03-18T05:40:51Z")
Weren’t we supposed to ask grocery store owners if we could work there part time (this time with hazmat suits) for discounted groceries? When did Orangeanus promote that one? ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-government-get-cash-to-deserving-people-and-businesses-amid-the-corona-virus/849703/9 "2020-03-18T06:08:29Z")
Regarding stimulus monies, presumably the distribution would be handled in a similar manner to the way the Bush-era stimulus monies were issued: as physical checks issued by the US Treasury to individuals and heads of households as identified via IRS tax records. Direct deposit may be an option. As for the means of distributing business bailout monies, pass. ---
**Author:** ![davidmich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e56c9b/32.png) [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-government-get-cash-to-deserving-people-and-businesses-amid-the-corona-virus/849703/10 "2020-03-18T06:20:05Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > Regarding stimulus monies, presumably the distribution would be handled in a similar manner to the way the Bush-era stimulus monies were issued: as physical checks issued by the US Treasury to individuals and heads of households as identified via IRS tax records. Direct deposit may be an option. > > As for the means of distributing business bailout monies, pass. Thanks El\_Kabong. That makes sense. There’s been too much abuse when it comes to state-funded medicaid or food stamps for matter. > **[The Very Short History of Food Stamp Fraud in America](https://time.com/4711668/history-food-stamp-fraud/)** > > A look at the real history of food stamps in American reveals why cases of fraud in the program have declined ---
**Author:** ![bardos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bardos/32/1069_2.png) [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-government-get-cash-to-deserving-people-and-businesses-amid-the-corona-virus/849703/11 "2020-03-18T17:58:52Z")
If they only use income tax data, they will miss a lot of people. ---
**Author:** ![Kimera757](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kimera757/32/3765_2.png) [@Kimera757](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimera757)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-government-get-cash-to-deserving-people-and-businesses-amid-the-corona-virus/849703/12 "2020-03-18T18:19:35Z")
> [@](#): > > In the last recession, checks went out to pretty much everyone who wasn’t a millionaire and filed a U.S. tax return, including Social Security recipients. Americans earning at least some income but less than $75,000 got the full amount, while wealthier people got less. The payments were sent by a check in the mail or direct deposit into a bank account. > > During the Great Recession, the federal government sent about every adult a $300 to $600 check (plus $300 per child). The same thing happened in 2001, when the majority of Americans received a $300 check. Link: [https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/03/17/checks-virus/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/03/17/checks-virus/) > [@bardos](#): > > If they only use income tax data, they will miss a lot of people. Why are so many people not filing taxes? In Canada, people with $0 of income, or on welfare (pay no tax, owe no tax) still file because they get minor benefits (which outweigh the cost of filing taxes). ---
**Author:** ![bardos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bardos/32/1069_2.png) [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-government-get-cash-to-deserving-people-and-businesses-amid-the-corona-virus/849703/13 "2020-03-18T18:33:10Z")
> [@Kimera757](#): > > Link: [https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/03/17/checks-virus/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/03/17/checks-virus/) > > Why are so many people not filing taxes? In Canada, people with $0 of income, or on welfare (pay no tax, owe no tax) still file because they get minor benefits (which outweigh the cost of filing taxes). 500,000+ homeless is one cohort. Old folks on food-stamps and ssi don’t usually file ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-government-get-cash-to-deserving-people-and-businesses-amid-the-corona-virus/849703/14 "2020-03-18T19:06:24Z")
I haven’t seen anything about how to donate the supposed money to the people that actually need it. The imaginary checks are going to everyone, not everyone needs it . ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-government-get-cash-to-deserving-people-and-businesses-amid-the-corona-virus/849703/15 "2020-03-18T19:27:53Z")
Assuming speed is of the essence (and it apparently is), send them to everyone. If you are worried about Bill Gates or DJT getting one, adjust the tax code so that anyone making more than $x pays the amount back. Could make that a sliding scale if you want. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-government-get-cash-to-deserving-people-and-businesses-amid-the-corona-virus/849703/16 "2020-03-18T19:31:17Z")
> [@steatopygia](#): > > I haven’t seen anything about how to donate the supposed money to the people that actually need it. The imaginary checks are going to everyone, not everyone needs it . The money, apparently, is going to be going out on the basis of a certain level of financial income/wealth, so millionaires and billionaires won’t be getting the checks. ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-government-get-cash-to-deserving-people-and-businesses-amid-the-corona-virus/849703/17 "2020-03-18T19:34:32Z")
**Kimera757** quoted the Washington Post: > [@](#): > > In the last recession, checks went out to pretty much everyone who wasn’t a millionaire and filed a U.S. tax return, including Social Security recipients. Americans earning at least some income but less than $75,000 got the full amount, while wealthier people got less. The payments were sent by a check in the mail or direct deposit into a bank account. > > During the Great Recession, the federal government sent about every adult a $300 to $600 check (plus $300 per child). The same thing happened in 2001, when the majority of Americans received a $300 check. I was going to start a new thread, but that was the perfect segue to my question. I clearly remember that those $600 checks were not gifts. They were loans that we repaid with a line in the following year’s income taxes. Should expect that this too is an unsecured zero-interest loan from Uncle Sam that we’ll repay next year, or might this be funded from somewhere else? ---
**Author:** ![Kimera757](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kimera757/32/3765_2.png) [@Kimera757](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimera757)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-government-get-cash-to-deserving-people-and-businesses-amid-the-corona-virus/849703/18 "2020-03-18T20:11:39Z")
> [@Keeve](#): > > **Kimera757** quoted the Washington Post:I was going to start a new thread, but that was the perfect segue to my question. > > I clearly remember that those $600 checks were not gifts. They were loans that we repaid with a line in the following year’s income taxes. Should expect that this too is an unsecured zero-interest loan from Uncle Sam that we’ll repay next year, or might this be funded from somewhere else? I wish the Post had told me that. That is lame. So if Congress says they expect this plan to cost $X billion, really that’s an interest-free loan of $X million, and they hope to collect that back? > [@bardos](#): > > 500,000+ homeless is one cohort. Old folks on food-stamps and ssi don’t usually file Many homeless people don’t have bank accounts, ID or PO boxes, and only those in the shelters can collect their mail for free. I am not surprised such a scheme would not help them. I didn’t know elderly Americans on food stamps and SSI don’t need to file. There are no food stamps in Canada, but if you want to collect Guaranteed Income Supplement (for the poorest of our senior citizens, which I think SSI also si) you have to file a return, which proves that you are poor enough to meet the requirements for the supplements. ---
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-government-get-cash-to-deserving-people-and-businesses-amid-the-corona-virus/849703/19 "2020-03-18T21:46:16Z")
May I forecast? A proposed wave of check issuance won’t happen in any beneficial way. Those not needing a kilobuck will get it and those needing it, won’t, and they’ll be left to deal with the disease on their own. We should spend a trillion freshly-minted dollars on medical supplies and services, not blatant bribes. But that won’t happen right away. Eventually, yes. After the cat has left the bag and shat in our shoes. ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-government-get-cash-to-deserving-people-and-businesses-amid-the-corona-virus/849703/20 "2020-03-18T23:56:00Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > The money, apparently, is going to be going out on the basis of a certain level of financial income/wealth, so millionaires and billionaires won’t be getting the checks. I wasn’t thinking of that. More like, I won’t need this but many many people are going to need a lot more than this. I was thinking along the lines of a clearing house to donate. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-government-get-cash-to-deserving-people-and-businesses-amid-the-corona-virus/849703.md?page=2)