Bonus Social Security Payments, Like Flowers, to Sprout in May
While some worry stimulus funding won't reach them before it's too late, one group of beneficiaries is actually getting its payments early.
People who receive Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits will be getting a separate $250 check in May, some six weeks earlier than the legislation requires, Vice President Joe Biden announced today at a meeting with the Cabinet and assorted other officials.
So, for those of you keeping track at home, add 50 million people to your list of those helped by the stimulus and about $13 billion to your expenditures column.
But if you are expecting a check, don't start waiting by the door for your federal May Basket. People getting Social Security or SSI should not contact the agency unless a payment is not received by June 4, 2009, the official release says. While you wait, you can check out the Social Security agency's FAQ on the payment.
Officials have struggled to spend the nearly $800 billion stimulus package quickly and effectively.
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2 comments
Old Bogus
March 26, 2009, 11:29 p.m.
This is stupid. This payout should be geared to other income, resources, etc. Just to send people like me who don’t need it as well as to those who desperately need it is inane. But so is TARP.
Matilda
April 15, 2009, 1:17 p.m.
Speak for yourself, Old Bogus. There are those of us on SS/SSI who DO desperately need this. We may make our bills each month and be able to take care of the day to day things that go on, but there are still many of us who are backed up on those, as well, depending on where we live, what kind of family structure we have, etc.
What about things like housing repairs? Or vehicle repairs? What about those expenses that we can’t cover with our monthly check and so it can take us years of saving up 10 dollars extra here, 20 extra here, whenever we’re not scrambling to keep a roof over our heads. I, personally, I’m insanely grateful for that $250. It may not be enough to completely repair everything wrong with my poor little house that is falling down around me, but it’s a start.
Some of us do need it, but going through and calling each and every one of us and saying “Do you need it?” would take forever, so they’re giving it to everyone. Be grateful that you DON’T need it.
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