WASHINGTON, D.C. - Ohio members of Congress want Ohioans who can’t access the internet to be able to track the economic stimulus payments the federal government is issuing to help people pay their bills during the coronavirus pandemic.

A bipartisan group of 21 Congress members including Republicans Dave Joyce of Bainbridge Township, Troy Balderson of Zanesville, Bill Johnson of Marietta, Mike Turner of Dayton and Brad Wenstrup of Cincinnati sent a letter last week that asked the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service to find ways for individuals without broadband access to track their stimulus payments and update their delivery information.

“There are many Ohioans who don’t have internet access during the COVID-19 pandemic, including those in rural communities that lack broadband infrastructure as well as low-income families who don’t have internet in their homes and can no longer access it in public places such as libraries or community centers," said a Tuesday statement from Joyce. “These are the very people who cannot wait until next filing season for support.”

According to statistics provided by BroadbandNow, 217,000 Ohioans live in areas with no wired internet availability. Last month, the IRS unveiled its “Get My Payment” website and app that allows those with internet access to check their payment status and provide bank account information.

The congressional letter says IRS has told Congress members that constituents who can’t access its online system will have to wait until next year’s tax filing season to claim the child add-on payment, and that there’s no clear system in place for those who can’t access the system to update their banking or address information. The letter called it “shameful” there’s no telephone option to help these individuals.

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