ITHACA, N.Y.(WENY)-- Senator Kirsten Gillibrand held a conference on March 9th to discuss the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill. The Senate passed its version of the relief bill on Saturday. It is now to be taken up by the House and be given to president Joe Biden for his signature. 

The relief bill allocates money for vaccines, schools, small businesses, and anti-poverty programs such as an expanded child tax credit that would mean monthly payments to many parents. 

Senator Gillibrand pushed to help struggling families keep food on the table and pay their bills, something that has become increasingly challenging as the pandemic continues to affect the United States. 

“That starts with direct relief of up to fourteen hundred dollars, plus an additional fourteen hundred dollars for each dependent,” said Gillibrand. 

The amount of relief New York families receive will be determined by their most recent tax filing and Gillibrand said it is important that some families file as soon as possible. 

“ Anyone who dropped below the new income threshold or had a new child or added a new dependent in 2020 should file their taxes as soon as possible to receive the full amount that they are entitled to,” said Gillibrand. 

Gillibrand also said that this bill expands the 2021 Child Tax credit to $3,000 per child ages 6 to 17 and $3,600 annually for children under the age of 6 for the tax year of 2021. Americans with children under the age of 18 could start receiving this money as soon as this summer. 

“ It expands the credit to all families, including low-income families, and allows up to age seventeen to qualify,” said Gillibrand. 

These benefits are expected to start rolling out in July and will be fully refundable. 

Gillibrand also said this bill offers tax credits to employers who offer paid sick and family leave for COVID-19 related illnesses and will include funding to support an additional fifteen weeks of COVID-19 related paid leave for federal workers. 

“ This is small but an important step to a permanent and comprehensive paid week program,” said Gillibrand.  

The bill also includes an $8 million down payment for the health force which was Gillibrand's legislation to create a nationwide public health workforce to ultimately help distribute vaccines. 

The bill also includes $40 billion in federal funding for childcare providers, providers that have had to close down due to the pandemic; providers that Gillibrand said are needed in order to get parents back to work and the economy back on track.

Small businesses will also be receiving aid through this bill; $7 billion dollars through the paycheck protection program, $1.25 billion dollars for venue operators, and $28.6 billion of grants for restaurants. 

“While there is a lot more work to be done to help our nation fully recover, this bill will help our families, businesses and government,” said Gillibrand.