FEDERAL EMERGENCY LOAN FUNDS
BERNIE LAND THOUGHTS
BY LUCY WARNER
JANUARY 15, 2019

THE “SAFETY NET” FOR THE POOR SHOULD INCLUDE ONE MORE THING (AT LEAST) – AN EMERGENCY LOAN FUND THAT IS AVAILABLE TO ANYONE WHO IS QUALIFIED FOR “EXTRA HELP” ON THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY, OR WHO IS CLASSIFIED AS “POOR” FOR ANY REASON AT ALL -- DISABLED MENTALLY OR PHYSICALLY, RECEIVING UNEMPLOYMENT, OR WORKING AT LOW PAYING WORK SUCH AS IRREGULAR SELF-EMPLOYMENT OR IN A RESTAURANT.

I’M ENVISIONING A FEDERAL FUND, BECAUSE STATE FUNDS DON’T PAY FAIRLY IN MOST CASES AND VARY WIDELY FROM STATE TO STATE. EACH LOAN SHOULD BE ACCESSIBLE WITHIN A FEW HOURS OR DAYS ONCE IT IS ESTABLISHED, AND BE REPAID MONTHLY BY PAYCHECK DEDUCTION OR THROUGH AUTOMATIC DEDUCTION FROM THE CITIZEN’S BANK ACCOUNT UNTIL THE DEBT IS CLEARED. THE INDIVIDUAL SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO KEEP A BANK ACCOUNT. THAT TAKES THE OPTION OF LAPSING IN PAYMENTS OUT OF THE HANDS OF THE RECIPIENT. IN OTHER WORDS, IT SHOULDN’T BE POSSIBLE TO LAPSE. THAT TEMPTATION IS A STEP TOO FAR.

MY REASONING, OTHER THAN MERE KINDNESS TO THE POOR, IS THAT GETTING BEHIND IN BILLS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE END FOR ANYONE ON A LOW INCOME. THIS FUND WOULD PREVENT THAT. IT WOULD HELP GREATLY ABOUT PREVENTING HOMELESSNESS, HAVING TO SHELTER IN UNLIVABLE CIRCUMSTANCES SUCH AS NO HEAT, NO LIGHT OR WITH NOTHING TO EAT, AND HAVING TO ELIMINATE ANY OTHER NECESSITIES IN ORDER TO PAY THE BILL OR OTHER EMERGENCY NEED. IF THE CAR BREAKS DOWN, THAT’S AN EMERGENCY. IF YOU WANT A NEW PAIR OF SHOES, THAT ISN'T.