Support the fact-based journalism you rely on with a donation to Marketplace today. Give Now!
Ask Money

Social Security $250 stimulus check

Chris Farrell Mar 16, 2009

Question: There was a brief mention of this on I believe it was the 2/13/09 show (on KPCC in Los Angeles). I have cut and will paste the portion of that show in which I am interested:

Dimsdale: Unless you’re on Social Security, in which case you get a $250 check.

Vigeland: OK, so that’s a separate part of the stimulus package. You want to give us a few more details about that?

Dimsdale: You also get a $250 check if you’re a veteran with a pension and disabled people have a $250 check.

When are these checks going to be sent? This is the ONLY place I’ve heard about this. I can find nothing about it on the White House web site (lousy search app on that massive site). Randi, Long Beach, CA

Answer: You can get information on the $250 check from Social Security Administration at www.ssa.gov/payment

According to the SSA:

“President Obama recently signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This act provides for the one-time payment of $250 to individuals who get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security benefits.

We expect everyone who is entitled to a payment to receive it by late May 2009. No action is required on your part.

We are currently working on the details regarding how we will issue nearly 55 million one-time payments to our beneficiaries.”

The Administration will post any updates on the SSA website. You don’t need to do anything to get the money. The payment will be made to you automatically. You’ll get the money the same way you get Social Security–either through direct deposit or a check in the mail. As for veterans that don’t get Social Security or Supplemental Security Income will get their $250 payment automatically from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

There’s a lot happening in the world.  Through it all, Marketplace is here for you. 

You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible. 

Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.