Social Security Recipients Will Get $250 in May

The federal government will distribute $250 payments to Social Security recipients in May 2009. The money will be sent separately from regular Social Security monthly distributions. No action is required to get the extra cash by check, direct deposit, or loaded onto your Direct Express debit card.

This one-time payout is due to a provision in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, signed by President Obama in February. Nearly 55 million beneficiaries who were eligible for Social Security or Supplemental Security Income benefits during the months of November 2008, December 2008, or January 2009 will receive $250, according to the Social Security Administration. “Soon more than $13 billion will be in the hands of more than 50 million Americans,” says Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue. Veterans Affairs and Railroad Retirement Board beneficiaries will also get a distribution. The payment does not count as income for tax purposes.

Funds were also appropriated to update the Social Security’s national computer center and to speed the processing of retirement and disability claims. If your $250 is not received by June 4, 2009, contact the Social Security Administration.