WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY 21) announced today that the government will start sending out $250 economic recovery payments to Social Security recipients starting tomorrow, May 7th.  The payments, which were provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, should be completely distributed by the end of the month.

In addition, payments to recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will go out by mid-May.

“These payments are important because they go to older and disabled Americans, many of whom have been hit hard by our economic crisis,” said Rep. Tonko. “This money is going to those people who really need it the most, and will help them meet some of their basic needs as well as stimulate the local economy.”

Many of the Social Security recipients receiving these payments are widowed, divorced, or single and among the seniors with the lowest average incomes.

In the 21st Congressional District, the payments will total more than $32 million.

This $250 payment will be sent separately from the monthly Social Security check. The Social Security Administration will deliver the payment by check to those who get their regular benefit by check and by direct deposit to those who receive their benefit by direct deposit.

In addition to the recovery payments being made to Social Security and SSI recipients, the Recovery Act also provides these payments to disabled veterans and Railroad Retirement recipients. Payments to Railroad Retirement recipients are scheduled to go out in late May, while payments to disabled veterans will go out in June. In total, more than 50 million Americans will get this one-time payment.

Those who receive benefits from two or more of these programs will receive just one $250 payment.

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