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Overview of the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act)
The
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) was signed
into law by President Obama on February 17th, 2009. It is an unprecedented
effort to jumpstart our economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down
payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the
21st century. The Act is an extraordinary response to a crisis unlike any since
the Great Depression, and includes measures to modernize our nation's
infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities,
preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect
those in greatest need.
Implementing
the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act)
One-time payment to railroad retirement beneficiaries.
- Under the new
legislation, a one-time economic recovery payment of $250 will be paid to most
adults (including disabled adult children) who receive railroad retirement
benefits.
- No action is required on your part to receive this payment.
- Only individuals who were eligible for railroad retirement benefits in
November 2008, December 2008, or January 2009 will receive the special
payment.
- All railroad retirement beneficiaries residing in the United States and
U.S. territories, except children and Medicare-only beneficiaries, will
receive this one-time payment. Payees receiving RRB payments based on a legal
partition and/or garnishment are not eligible to receive this payment.
- You will only receive one $250 payment even if you are also receiving
social security and/or veterans benefits.
- The one-time payment will be issued separately and will not be included in
your regular monthly benefit payment. It will be delivered in the same way you
currently receive your benefit payment (check or direct deposit).
- Payments are expected to be issued in May 2009.
Extended unemployment benefits. - The Act also provides an appropriation of $20
million to be used for payment of additional extended unemployment benefits
under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act. The new law provides the
temporary extended benefits to employees receiving normal unemployment benefits
for days between July 1, 2008, and June 30, 2009.
- Railroad workers who previously were not eligible for extended
unemployment benefits because they did not have 10 years of service may be
eligible for benefits of up to 65 days within an extended period consisting of
7 consecutive 2-week registration periods.
- Railroad workers who previously were eligible for extended unemployment
benefits of up to 65 days may now be eligible for benefits of up to 130 days
within an extended period consisting of 13 consecutive 2-week registration
periods.
- The latest date that an extended benefit period under these special
provisions may begin is December 31, 2009, with payments stopping when the $20
million has been expended.
The RRB will notify eligible individuals of their new rights to extended
benefits and provide additional information about those benefits as soon as
possible.
Plans and Reports
We will report weekly on the status of Recovery Act
implementation by program, including major actions taken to date and major
actions planned for the future.
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