This page has been validated.
The American Rescue Plan: Impacts on Louisiana
The Need for Action in Louisiana
The pandemic and the associated economic crisis have had a severe impact on Louisiana. The need for action is clear:
- Since the pandemic began, more than 433,785 people have been infected with COVID-19 and more than 9,748 people have died.
- The unemployment rate is 7.9%, up from 5.2% before the pandemic.
- Since February 2020, more than 109,879 fewer people are employed.
- 440,000 adults – 16% of all adults in the state – report not having enough food to eat. This includes 164,000 adults living with children, or 16% of all adults living with children, who report that the children in their household do not have enough to eat.
- An estimated 207,000 renters or 23% of renters are not caught up on rent.
- An estimated 1,412,000 adults or 45% of all adults statewide report having difficulty covering normal household expenses.
The Effect of the American Rescue Plan on Louisiana
President Biden’s American Rescue Plan will provide Louisiana with:
- $3.132 billion in state fiscal relief
- $1.777 billion in local fiscal relief
- More than $2.653 billion in relief for K-12 schools
- Economic impact payments of up to $1,400 per person (above the $600 per person provided in December) for more than 2,861,000 adults and 1,334,100 children. This is 91% of all adults in the state and 93% of all children in the state.
- Additional relief of up to $1,600 per child through the Child Tax Credit to the families of 1,028,000 children, lifting 94,000 children out of poverty
- Additional relief of up to nearly $1,000 through the Earned Income Tax Credit to 298,000 childless workers, including many in frontline jobs
- Marketplace health insurance premiums that are $1,784 lower per month for a 60-year old couple earning $75,000 per year
