Weather: Today mostly sunny with a temperature in the high 60s. Expect partly cloudy skies tonight with a temperature dropping by the mid 40s.
Alternative parking: Valid until April 29th (Maundy Thursday, Orthodox).
The federal stimulus tests should be a near universal benefit. Payments totaling $ 3,200 that would help most Americans recover from the financial hardship of the pandemic.
But many New York City homeless people may have missed it because they didn’t file a tax return – which can be a daunting task when someone doesn’t have ID or a mailing address.
[No address, no ID, and struggling to get their stimulus checks.]
I asked Andy Newman, the Times social reporter, about his recent story highlighting these challenges. Here are some of his slightly edited answers:
How did you find this story?
After receiving my first stimulus payment, I thought of a homeless mother I met during the Black Lives Matter protests and wondered if she had received her stimulus money.
After the third incentive magically landed in my bank account without lifting a finger, I thought there might be a lot of people out there who couldn’t get the money that easily. I don’t need the stimulus money to survive and yet I get it while others who need the money to get on my feet may not know they can get it.
It seemed so crazy that I wanted to make a story.
What problems do homeless people have with their payments?
They call it. Some people didn’t know they were eligible or thought they weren’t eligible because they didn’t have a phone or ID. Others said they couldn’t find a place to offer help filing their taxes for free.
.
Imagine every bureaucratic hassle you encounter in the course of daily life and multiply the difficulties and inconveniences.
How can homeless people get their payments?
First, they need to file a 2020 tax return. If they have ID and a mailing address, there are places that offer free tax preparation help, including a (very) few that you can visit in person and that are listed here and here.
If you need more basic help, e.g. B. an ID, there are non-profit organizations that offer support with contact pop-ups.
The New York City Relief pop-ups are listed here and also provide help with suggestions online by texting 844-683-3113 and calling 201-380-4553.
The Coalition for the Homeless nightly pop-up is located on East 51 Street and Park Avenue.
Beth Hofmeister of the Legal Aid Society told me that readers who want to help financially should donate to these organizations.
From the time
New York State will raise taxes for those who earn more than $ 1 million
Harvey Weinstein is appealing a sex crime conviction based on the prosecutor’s testimony
Finally, Amusement returns to Coney Island this Friday
Very soon the rattling of the cyclone will resume, people will once again marvel at the view of Deno’s wonder wheel and many, many Nathan’s hot dogs will be eaten.
Coney Island amusement parks will reopen this Friday after having closed for a season due to the pandemic.
According to state regulations, parks will allow 33 percent of their usual occupancy, drivers will make room to allow social distancing, and staff will frequently clean rides and other high-contact areas. All pleasure seekers over 2 years old must wear a mask.
Stricter measures like banning screaming on rides, as some Japanese theme parks did in 2020, don’t seem to be on the table.
“Face covering is required, but screaming for joy is recommended,” Ken Hochman, director of marketing at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, told me yesterday.
500 frontline workers get free entry to Luna Park on opening day, and 100 local hospital workers get their first ride on the cyclone. The first 100 frontline workers to arrive at Wonder Wheel amusement park in Deno will receive a free ride on the 150-foot Wonder Wheel, which is celebrating its 100th full season this year.
“Coney Islands trips are synonymous with summer in Brooklyn,” wrote Eric Adams, Brooklyn borough president and mayoral candidate, in a statement. “Your closure last year was painful for all of us. We are very excited that the entertainment district is returning, better than ever, to revitalize our local economy and give friends and families the opportunity to enjoy it. “
It’s Tuesday – keep going.
Metropolitan Diary: Underhill Avenue
Dear Diary:
On Underhill Avenue in my borough of Brooklyn, I have a mural on the side of a building depicting Underdog, my childhood canine superhero.
One day as my partner and I were walking past it with our own dog in tow, a man walking behind us started singing the subject of “underdog”.
Without discussing it, my partner and I took part in the choir:
“The speed of light, the rumble of thunder, the fight against all who rob or plunder. Underdog. Underdog! “
Our own superhero adventure on the way to the park.
– Jon Reiss