[NYAPRS Enews] Social Security's Economic Recovery One-Time $250 Payment Info

Wed Apr 1 09:23:16 EDT 2009

NYAPRS Note: On February 17, 2009, President Barack Obama signed into
law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that provides for a
one-time economic recovery payment of $250 to certain people who receive
Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Railroad
Retirement, and Veterans benefits. Below you will find a fact sheet with
important information about this payment from SSA's One Time Economic
Recovery Payment 2009 brochure. A pdf of this information can also be
found at:

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10519.pdf

Social Security's Economic Recovery One-Time Payment 2009 Information

Who will receive the one-time $250 economic recovery payment?

The law provides for a one-time payment for certain individuals who
receive Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Railroad
Retirement and Veterans benefits. If you were eligible for one of these
benefits at any time during the months of November 2008, December 2008
or January 2009, you may be eligible for the one-time payment. To
receive the payment, your address of record must be in one of the 50
states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin
Islands, American Samoa, or the Northern Mariana Islands. 

If I am eligible for the one-time payment, when will I receive it?

You should receive your one-time payment by the end of May 2009. You
don't need to do anything to receive this payment. Social Security does
not need to contact you to request information. Please do not contact us
about your payment unless you do not receive it by June 4, 2009. The
Department of the Treasury will be sending payments throughout the month
of May.

How will I receive my one-time payment? 

We will deliver your one-time payment the same way we currently deliver
your Social Security or SSI benefit. If we deliver your monthly benefit
by check, we will deliver your one-time payment by check. If you receive
your benefits by direct deposit or Direct Express(r) debit card, you
will receive the one-time payment the same way. We will send your
one-time economic recovery payment separately from your Social Security
or SSI benefit; it will not be included with your monthly benefit
payment.

I receive both Social Security and SSI. Does this mean I'll receive two
one-time economic recovery payments?

No, you can only get one $250 payment, regardless of how many types of
benefits you receive. For example, if you receive any combination of
Social Security, SSI, Railroad Retirement or Veterans benefits you still
can only get one payment. 

If my spouse and I both receive Social Security or SSI benefits, will we
each get a one-time economic recovery payment?

Yes, if both you and your spouse are receiving benefits from Social
Security or SSI, you each will get the one-time payment.

Are children who receive Social Security benefits eligible for the
one-time economic recovery payment?

No, children under the age of 18 (19 if still in high school) who
receive Social Security benefits are NOT eligible for the one-time
payment. However, adult children who receive disability benefits on a
parent's record will receive a payment.

Are children who receive SSI benefits eligible for the one-time economic
recovery payment?

Yes, children receiving SSI are eligible for the one-time payment.

I have a representative payee. Who will receive my one-time economic
recovery payment?

If you have a representative payee, we will send your one-time payment
to your representative payee. Your representative payee is required by
law to use the payment for your personal benefit. 

Will ALL Social Security and SSI beneficiaries receive a one-time
economic recovery payment of $250?

No. In most cases, the following individuals will NOT receive the
one-time payment: 

*         Anyone living outside of the United States or its territories;

*         Individuals who no longer are lawfully present in the United
States; 

*         Individuals whose benefits have been suspended under the law
for giving false or misleading statements;

*         Social Security beneficiaries who are minor children*; 

*         SSI beneficiaries who receive benefits at a reduced rate of
$30 because they live in a medical treatment facility (such as a nursing
home or hospital) and Medicaid pays over 50% of the cost of their care; 

*         Individuals only entitled to Medicare and not to Social
Security or SSI benefits; and

*         Prisoners, fugitive felons, and probation and parole
violators. 

*Note: Disabled adult children receiving Social Security or children
receiving SSI payments will receive the one-time payment. 

*Note: Every situation is different, and there may be exceptions to
these rules. 

Will I receive the one-time economic recovery payment if I have a
delinquent Federal or state debt?

The law requires the Department of the Treasury to deduct delinquent
child support and debts owed to state and Federal agencies from the
one-time payment. The one-time payment will not be used to collect
Social Security or SSI benefit overpayments. 

Will the one-time economic recovery payment count as income or resources
when determining eligibility for SSI? 

The one-time payment will not count as income for SSI. In addition, it
will not count as a resource in the month you receive it or the
following nine months. For example, if you receive the one-time payment
in May 2009, it will not count as a resource from May 2009 through
February 2010. If you still have this money in March 2010, it will count
as a resource starting that month and may affect your eligibility for
SSI. 

Will the one-time economic recovery payment count as earnings when
determining eligibility for Social Security disability benefits?

No. The one-time economic recovery payment will not count as income or
earnings for Social Security disability benefits.

If I don't receive my one-time economic recovery payment by June 4, what
should I do?

After June 4, 2009, you can call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213
(TTY 1-800-325-0778) or contact your local Social Security office to
tell us your payment has not arrived. Please wait until then to ask
about your payment because the Department of the Treasury will be
sending payments until the end of May. 

What should I do if someone calls or E-mails me asking for personal
information to process my payment?

Do not provide your personal information to anyone requesting it to
process your payment. If you are unsure about the identity of someone
claiming to be a Social Security employee, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY
1-800-325-0778) to verify the call. You may report suspicious activity
involving Social Security programs and operations to the Social Security
Fraud Hotline at www.socialsecurity.gov/oig/hotline or call
1-800-269-0271 (TTY 1-866-501-2101). 

How can I get more information about the one-time economic recovery
payment?

If you are a Social Security or SSI beneficiary, visit
www.socialsecurity.gov.

If you are not a Social Security or SSI beneficiary and receive only
Railroad Retirement or Veterans benefits:

*         You can visit the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) at
www.rrb.gov or call 1-877-772-5772 (1-877-RRB-5RRB; TTY 1-312-751-4701)
for more information. NOTE: You will receive your one-time payment from
RRB. You do not have to do anything in order to receive your payment.

*         You can visit the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at
www.va.gov or contact your local VA facility for more information. NOTE:
You will receive your one-time payment from VA. You do not have to do
anything in order to receive your payment.

Social Security Administration

SSA Publication No. 05-10519

ICN 470050

Unit of Issue - HD (one hundred)

April 2009

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