The initial wave of federal stimulus payments to taxpayers was released, and a proposal from state Sen. David Carlucci is aimed at ensuring people would be able to hold on to the money.

Carlucci, a Democrat from Rockland County who is running in the June primary for an open House seat, is planning a measure that would bar debt collectors from garnishing the payments in New York state.

"Creditors should not receive a windfall, while hard working New Yorkers are struggling to make ends meet," he said. “People are dealing with record unemployment, making rent, paying off student loans, and other daily expenses. The last thing that should happen is debt collectors freezing your check and garnishing your stimulus check.”

Individual tax filers are receiving $1,200; joint filers will receive $2,400.

The money is meant to bolster bank accounts amid the economic tumult caused by the coronavirus pandemic, which has thrown millions of people out of work.

Carlucci also wants the federal government to code the stimulus payments as federal benefit payments. That way, banks would be prevented from freezing those payments, and they would be automatically blocked from garnishment.

About a third of Americans have debt in collections.

“I am not telling Americans ‘don’t pay your debt,’ ” Carlucci said. “This is about food on someone’s table or rent being paid first. Debt collectors should not get to profit off this.”