One of the highlights of President Obama’s recently signed American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act was the announcement of a $250 stimulus payment to individuals who currently receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security benefits, Veterans benefits or Railroad Retirement benefits.
Update -Will there be a stimulus check in 2010?]
[Update - Jan 4 - Will there be another stimulus check in 2010?]
[update - find out about the new $250 stimulus check in 2010 for Social Security recipients]
[update - find out about the new $250 stimulus check in 2010 for SSI recipients]
[update Dec 16 - will the 2010 $250 stimulus check be increased?]
Who is eligible for the $250 check?
To get the $250 you must meet the following criteria:
- Currently receiving Social Security, SSI payments, Veterans benefits or Railroad Retirement benefits.
- Must have been eligible for benefits at any time in November 2008, December 2008 or January 2009.
- The person receiving the SS or SSI must have an address of record in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam or the Northern Mariana Islands.
When will I get my $250 stimulus money?
The SSA (US Social Security Administration) is going to pay all eligible Social Security and SSI beneficiaries by late May 2009, so you should get your payment by no later than the first week of June 2009. The one-time payment will be a separate payment, which will not be included in your regular monthly benefit payment. You will still get your regular monthly payment amount.
How will I get my $250 payment?
The extra $250 payment will be paid to you in the same method that is currently used to your Social Security or SSI benefit. If you currently receive your regular benefit by check, your one-time payment will be made by check. If you receive a monthly direct deposit or Direct Express® debit card payment, that is how you will receive your one-time payment.
What do I need to do in order to receive the $250.
You don’t have to do anything - if you are eligible then the payment will be made to you automatically.
How do Veterans get their payment?
Veterans who don’t get SS or SSI will get their $250 payment from the Department of Veterans affairs (VA). You don’t need to do anything to get the money.
How do Railroad Retirement beneficiaries get their payment?
Your payment will come from the RRB (Railroad Retirement Board). You don’t have to do anything to get your payment. It will be delivered to you automatically. You can call 1-877-772-5772 (1-877-RRB-5RRB) (TTY 1-312-751-4701) for more information.
If both spouses are on Social Security or SSI – will we both get $250 checks?
Yes, you will. This program is designed to give $250 to each qualified individual. If both partners in a household qualify for the payments then they will each get the $250 payment for a total of $500.
Can I get more than $250 or more than 1 payment?
You can’t get more than $250 even if you receive benefits from more than one plan. Ie if you receive Social Security and Railroad benefits then you won’t be eligible for $500 or 2 payments – just 1 payment of $250.
Some other facts:
The one-time $250 payment will not count as gross income on your federal income tax return.
Disabled children receiving SSI are eligible for the one-time $250 payment.
More information (updated May 2009)
Social Security 2009 stimulus check.
Disabled Veterans to receive $250 stimulus checks – on Military Finance Network
Social Security Stimulus Check for 2010 – FAQ
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I have to admit that I am very upset that we will not be receiving any SS raises for the next two years. Meanwhile, rents will continue to raise. So will food, gas, etc. And more and more people are going to be just living from check to check. I realize times are tough but we also need and have to survive. That’s why I can’t understand why we’re only probably going to receive $250. And please don’t mis-understand me because every little bit helps but, a check of something like $1500 would be more sensible. There’s also those people whose medications are eating up their monthly checks. We’re hardly eating because Food is so expensive. We need help because two years to us is going to feel like 20 years. Please rethink your amount decision. Thank You.
i call about my stimulis check they sent to wrong bank got send back to them they keep tilling me 6 weeks untill i get check been 6 month now there a investagation will i ever get the 250.00 stimulis i even went to social security office same b s what can i do
I have heard or received nothing. Although I am still low income, I have to pay back S.S. @ 50.00 a month for two years and I can barely make it. My question, are they going to take my check although arrangments have been made to take it out of my check, because that is what they did with the $99.00 they shorted me for the year. I don’t feel like that was fair considering payment plans were already made. Could you answer me please?
Every day is a sruggle,even with this web-site,we all need money at this time,it doesn,t change tomorrow or any other time.It,s an evil that we all need.Barter was before,an exchange of service or goods between individuals for what each other needed,all were happy.I feel sorry for the veteran,my couson was shot up in Viet Nam and sent home on morphine and was never the same afterward.I lost cantact with himafter my aunt died.Maybe she was his rock of Gibralter.Okay think about it business wise,if you barter with a neighbor ,sell or trade your services,talents,goods,you may have a lot more than $25o by May or June,plus $250.The first step is the important step,all others will follow.Down in May,up in June,and I will tell you one thing.I don,t how to sing,used to dance pretty good before my feet and legs got bad.You,all have a good night,NOW YOU HEAR;
People,I need this little bit of cash. I can hardly survive on this $674 I get monthly. It would be nice to get a stimulous check every month….we need it.
Now im seeing on the internet that as of now there WILL NOT BE AN 2010 STIMULUS UNLESS OBAMA CAN GET IT PASSED BY CONGRESS. IF IT GETS PASSED WE CAN EXPECT IT AROUND MAY-JULY 2010 TIME FRAME. SO I REPEAT: NO STIMULUS FOR US THIS 2010 YEAR!!
how do i check to see if i got my stimulus for last year
WHATS THE POINT OF GETTIN 250 THAT THEY TAKE WHEN U DO TAXES . SO ITS A LOAN WELL SEND ME THAT LOAN EVERY YEAR
the senate just dont understand how much we hurt we are the ones who need the help when we are all homeless we will find him and sue him
Won’t count as income. I wish it did, because what Obama ur Mama didn’t tell everyone, is that if you use the Schedule M for your tax return – you essentially have to pay the stimulus money back to the government….. What a rip off.
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