(July 23, 2008) Washington DC – Today, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) sent a letter to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) expressing its concern about the significant number of Hispanic senior citizens who have yet to file for the economic stimulus rebate (ESP) payments to which they are entitled.  While the IRS has conducted some outreach programs, the CHC believes that much more could be done with it’s funding to effectively target this audience and ensure that Hispanic seniors receive the money they need and deserve.  

“Since many seniors no longer file tax returns, its incredibly important to get the word out that they need to file in order to get their stimulus checks,” said Congressman Albio Sires, CHC Economic Development Taskforce Chair.  “This problem is widespread among Hispanic seniors due to limited Spanish language outreach in Hispanic communities.  In the heavily Hispanic counties that I represent in New Jersey, thousands of seniors have yet to file, meaning thousands of payments could go undelivered. Much more needs to be done to get these rebates to those who are counting on them, especially during these tough times.”

“Many figures have shown that Latinos are suffering at greater rates than others in our current economic crisis,” said Congressman Joe Baca, Chair of the CHC.  “We must make sure we do everything in our power to help those in our community get the economic stimulus funds they are entitled to.  These funds will infuse businesses in our communities and provide relief to those who need it the most.”

“During these difficult economic times, our Latino seniors are struggling to make ends meet.  The stimulus checks can make a huge difference for our seniors as they deal with the increase in food and gas prices,” said Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis, Chair of the CHC Health and the Environment Task Force.   It is imperative that the Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service better coordinate outreach efforts to senior citizens and that these outreach plans include linguistic and culturally appropriate ways to reach Latino seniors.”

“Everyone who qualifies should get their economic stimulus check,” said Congressman José E. Serrano, who chairs the Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees the budget of the IRS. “We provided this tax rebate with the intention that people – regardless of age or primary language – would get the funds and spend them. The IRS must make sure that happens by devoting the resources to get the word out in communities and groups that are currently missing out. And Americans should know that if they haven’t gotten their check, it’s not too late.”

“We don’t want anyone to miss out,” Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard said. “The economic stimulus legislation passed by Congress is putting dollars into the pockets of hardworking Americans struggling to make ends meet, including many Latino families throughout my district.  We must do everything we can to make sure all of our eligible low-income seniors, many of whom do not normally need to file a return, meet the extended deadline of October 15 to claim their rebate checks this year.”

“We must do everything we can to ensure that hardworking eligible Hispanic seniors who qualify meet the extended deadline of October 15th to claim their rebate checks this year,” said Brent Wilkes, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) National Executive Director.

Hispanic Seniors, and other who have yet to file a 2007 tax return, must file by October 15, 2008 in order to receive a stimulus payment.