Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Congressman Troy Balderson (R-OH) today sent a letter to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Charles Rettig and U.S. Department of Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin seeking options for Ohioans without broadband internet to access the IRS system for COVID-19 economic impact payments (EIPs). Currently, the only way for Americans to track their stimulus payments, or to update their banking and address information to ensure their EIPs arrive, is online.

“Entire communities do not have broadband infrastructure in place; with no access to broadband and normally-limited internet access points now completely closed for public safety and social distancing reasons, our rural constituents are entirely isolated and unable to access the IRS’s website,” Balderson’s letter writes.

After hearing directly from constituents, Balderson recognized the need for immediate relief and took action by sending this letter, as well as communicating directly to the IRS and Treasury that non-internet-based options are essential for many Ohioans.

The letter, signed by a bipartisan group of 20 fellow Members of Congress, specifically: requests the IRS to consider creating a telephone hotline option to serve rural and low-income constituents; suggests allowing furloughed IRS employees to assist these constituents; and asks the IRS to allow congressional offices to update information or track payments on constituents’ behalf.

“Congress created these direct-to-individuals stimulus payments as a way to support the most vulnerable Americans – often, rural and low-income Americans without other options for financial support. These are the constituents most in desperate need of immediate relief – they cannot wait,” Balderson’s letter continues.

Read the full letter.

###