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 - 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]
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
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I see today that both my regular VA Compensation money and my Stimulus money are in the bank, but haven’t been posted to my account, yet. I assume the $250 stimulus portion will go in with the regular amount on 1 July.
I am Military retired living in germany. will I receive the stimulus payment.
home of record Penn.
If you live outside US or certain other areas you will not get it. See note at top of this page. I live in Philippines and will not get it. After several months it finally got posted on the va page. Germany is not included. Sorry for you and me I do not think it is fair though.
i called my bank today and the $250.00 will be deposited tomorrow night at the same time of my regular va payment it will be a separate deposit.
I got my check today direct deposit 1 problem it was for $133.00 dollars not the $250.00 I have no children and no child support ,what the F**k is up?
OH I get VA Compensation by the way…
Got mine today. It did take all month but I am just
glad to get something extra especially with all the deadbeats
who get something extra for nothing all the time on
our dime (the people who actually work & pay taxes)
Last two are 56. Rec’d mine today.
eric, by any chance do you owe the pharmacy?
my last 2 50 recieved yesterday!
recieved mine today also
I also received mine today, hallelujah and my last two are: #69. Eric, if you are having problems with the VA, give them a call at 800-827-1000 and ask them what’s going on. In closing, I want to say thanks to all the good people who posted here to help out their fellow vets. GoodBye.
I got mine today. My last two are 99. Direct deposit.
As of yet I haven’t received my $250 check and it is 7/9/09
I also get a SS check every month ( direct deposit), but I haven’t gotten my $250 stimulus check. When can I expect it
If you live some where other than continental US or some territories you will not get check. I did not find out till towards the last when it was finally pasted on web pages. Check at top of this page if you live else where. It tells where you have to live. I live in Philippines now and do not get one even though I got check last year. I am on military disability payments myself.
I get my ssi check direct deposit every month. last two 82. still haven’t got mine as of 7/10/09.
I got both my regular VA Compensation and the $250 Stimulus check on 1 July 2009, which is when my regular VA Compensation would show up in my account.
I receive VA pension based on income; my wife received the stimulus check through her SS disablity; am I entiled to the stimulus check also?
The last two of my ssn is 16….I do recieve VA disability compensation at 50%, as well as the Chapter 31 program, I have still not reecieved my va stimulus check. According to everything Ive seen, Im eligible, but still no check…. any ideas why???
File no. SSN: 026-51-4912 as of today I still have not receive the one time payment of $250.00 already call the # and was told they were
working on it. pls reply don’t like the suspense. don’t owe Gov. nothing
I’m somewhat confused as to what qualifies as “Veterans benefits”. I don’t get any money from VA but I receive 30% disability compensation. I did get a letter in the mail stating I would recieve the stimulus check but have yet to receive it.
can the stimulus payment be taken because of a student loan?
Is is true that in August, 2009 Puertoricans will receive $300.oo per individual and $600.00 per couple?
i want my check of 300
dollard i be waiting 2 month
I have been waiting for 2 months and i have not received my check. I have called and I still have not received it.
I just heard in the news today (Puerto Rico) that the check will be mailed out in September. Every month it is postponed. Actually, when is it?
I had closed my account at RIA Federal Credit union a few weeks prior to the $250.00 check being deposited. My check was deposited and then rejected by RIA Federal C redit Union there was by returned to sender . My new bank is The Tomah Area Credit Union,this is where my direct deposit of my Non Service Related pention check are deposited. Please forward my $250.00 to the following account #19158000.
will there be a 2nd stimulus checked mailed out…if so when
Because I cant afford to live in the U.S. and I recieve S.S. payments to my Panama bank account—–means I will not receive a $250 stimulus payment???
No Problema— just dont retire here in Panama– its toooo perfect!!
aug. 5th 2009, just left the bank where we have direct deposit, still no stimulis money received. what do i do now
My social security number is 194-34-5916. I have not received my $250.00 stimulus yet. Would you please check on this for me.
Thank you.
I haven’t received my stimulus check. I understand the checks started being sent out in May. Please give me an email address or phone number so I can find out why my check isn’t here yet. Thank you Lorene Koch
I am reluctant to give my SS# out. Please help me.
I receive Workers’ Comp Benefits from the Department of Labor. I am 64 years old. Will I get a stimulus check?
iI was discharged from the navy 1970 june 19th. under Medical Discharge Honorable, conditions born 1950 june 13 1950. Great
lakes Lli. Training facilaity No. 33-47 —– ss.no 162-42-9947
Will people be getting that $250 included in backpay? Awarded SSI in Sept, wonder if I am eligible since my case is going back to 2006.
IT’S BEEN MONTHS. MY WIFE AND I BOTH PAY S.S. I GOT $250.00. SHE GOT NOTHING. WHAT’S HAPPENING? HER NAME IS GILDA RUDIN. MY NAME IS IRVING RUDIN. S.S. CALLED, AND ASKED FOR HER S.S. NUMBER. SHE GAVE IT TO THEM. WE’RE STILL WAITING. FOR MONTHS WE’VE BEEN TRYING TO STRAIGHTING THIS OUT. PLEASE HELP US. THANK YOU.
please contact me at the above email and let me know why i have not receivd my stimulus check for 2009. FOR 250.00 MY SS # IS ****-**-4292. PLEASE LEET ME KNOW ASAP
SINCERLY LINDA LOU TURNER
Knew about the tax rebate via the 2009 stimulus plan, but just now reading about the one time $250 check. Looks like federal civilian and military retirees were left out. Is this true? And if so a bit of a slap in the face. Way to go congress.
It is now October 20, 2009 and I still have not received my stimulus payment of $250.00. I have been called several times and told that it was at the” payment center”. If it has been at the payment center since June, why have I not received it? I am entitled and I am tired of waiting on money that I should have received before the last of May. Five (5) months of waiting is unacceptable. Please see what you can find out for me.
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.
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