GET ANSWERS: Federal 'Recovery Payments'

4:50 PM, Apr 26, 2010   |    comments
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Ronnie wrote to us saying, "I would like to know if you can find out if President Obama is going to give the people on Social Security the $250 stimulus that he said he was going to in 2009."

In 2009, the White House announced more than $13 billion would make its way into the hands of more than 50 million Americans.

Last year, a news release from the White House said that money came as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 in the form of a one-time $250 payment to Americans who qualified.

In May 2009, the funds went to some retirees, disabled people, and some who received Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits from Social Security Administration.

The money also went to disabled veterans who received money from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and Railroad Retirement beneficiaries.

According to the White House, people included in those groups only got the $250 once, even if they qualified in more than one category.

The Social Security Administration's website says you may not have received the money if you lived outside the US and its territories, didn't live in the county legally, have benefits suspended for false or misleading statements, or you are a social security beneficiary who is a minor

You also could have missed out if you were a prisoner, fugitive felon, or probation or parole violator.

The site says the law requires the Department of Treasury to take out money from delinquent child support and debts owed to the state and federal governments.

If you cannot remember if you received a payment, or have a question about the qualifications you can call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213, or the Department of Veterans Affairs at 800-827-1000.