Governor Laura Kelly Announces American Rescue Plan Programs for Kansas

Press Release

On Thursday, March 11th, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan (ARP), providing $1.9 trillion in economic stimulus to assist in the long-term recovery from the economic and public health impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The American Rescue Plan will provide critical relief to Kansas families and businesses who have struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Governor Laura Kelly. "While I disagreed on the allocation formula, these funds will allow us to make targeted and strategic investments in childcare, broadband, education, and our business communities to aid our recovery from COVID-19."
The ARP aims to move beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, return children to school, vaccinate the population, provide direct assistance to families, and stimulate economic growth.
As a part of the American Rescue Plan, the state of Kansas will be eligible for a variety of funding. Below are some of the programs and initiatives available to Kansas; many more will be made available through strategic coordination and investment:
Direct aid to Kansans in the form of $1,400 checks per person for incomes up to $75,000
Extension of unemployment benefits
The ARP extends benefits from March 14 to September 6
Enhanced benefits will stay at $300/week
Provide direct housing and nutrition assistance
Emergency rental assistance, utility assistance, and homeowners support
Key investments in food security, including extending Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Women Infants and Children (WI) benefits, and Pandemic-EBT programs
Strengthen support for farm communities, growers, and producers
Investments in infrastructure that support food safety
Debt relief for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers
Expand access to safe and reliable child care through Child Care and Development Block Grant
Expand the Child Tax Credit and an improved Earned Income Tax Credit
The federal government will release more information and guidance in the coming weeks regarding funding for Kansas.

Source