Truck Drivers And Other Frontline Workers Can Have $25K Hazard Pay From “Heroes Funds”

• U.S. Senate Democrats have recently proposed a “Heroes Fund” law that will distribute major hazard payouts for workers at the frontlines of the battle against the dreaded coronavirus (COVID-19).
• Frontline workers who earn less than $200,00 per year will receive a hazard payout of $25,000; while workers who earn more than $200,000 per year will receive a heroes’ pay of $5,000.
• The funding will be given to their employers who will be responsible to distribute the payouts and provide proof of payments to the federal government.

Senate democrats have recently filed a “Heroes Fund” proposal that would provide hazard payouts for frontline workers who are still working during the coronavirus outbreak. These workers will receive either $5,000 or $25,000 depending on their annual salary ranges.

In the proposed law, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said that those who will receive the “Heroes Fund” are frontline workers in the medical field, supermarkets, pharmacies, and even those who are working as truck drives or other jobs in essential companies.

A Heroes Fund for essential workers should be a part of the next phase of the Congressional response to coronavirus.

No proposal will be complete without addressing the needs of our doctors, nurses, medical workers, truck drivers, grocers, transit workers, and more.

Our Heroes.

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) April 7, 2020

In his Twitter account, Schumer announced this development and assured that it will be prioritized on the next Congressional hearing.

“No proposal will be complete without addressing the needs of our doctors, nurses, medical workers, truck drivers, grocers, transit workers, and more,” Schumer said.

Schumer explained that frontline workers who are earning less than $200,000 annually will receive $25,000 hazard payouts from the federal government while those making more than $200,000 per year will only receive $5,000.

The federal government will distribute the funds through the workers’ employers, who would then be required to show proof of the payments made.

In a telephone conference about proposal, Schumer said that the COVID-19 pandemic has reached to “alarming new levels,” adding that the healthcare system and economy has been badly affected. He also recognized how doctors, nurses, and other medical workers are putting their lives at risk every single day as they battle against the disease.

“And so are people not in the medical profession but in essential services: grocery store workers, truck drivers, drug store workers, and pharmacists. For these Americans, working from home is not an option. Social distancing is not an option. We’re calling it a “Heroes Fund” because that’s who it’s for, our heroes,” Schumer said.

The Democrat Senators also explained that they are proposing for the hazard pay benefit to be included to the pending coronavirus relief bill that is scheduled to be discussed by the end of this month.

Majority of American netizens lauded the proposal.

Thank you to essential workers including truck drivers, shelf stockers, hospital cleaning staff and maintenance. https://t.co/HCQVQgRC0o

— Gary Kreie (@ZGare) April 7, 2020

Another Twitter user suggested that the government should also include the elderly.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate our essential workers. But because you left elderly and disabled dependents out, one of the most vulnerable populations, those families can't stock up, by the time we have grocery money there is very little left at the grocery stores.

— BJH (@GreenEyesSeeU) April 7, 2020

Meanwhile, others expressed their gratitude:

@SenSchumer On behalf of all essential truckstop employees we thank you for your support.

— NATSO, Inc. (@NATSO_Inc) April 7, 2020

Watch this video to learn more about the Heroes Fund proposal: