News
April 14, 2009
recovery act funding will aid retirees, people with disablites; harkin announces
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Iowans receiving Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will receive a $250 one-time payment under the Economic Recovery Package, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) announced today. Notification of the payments will begin this week and all payments will be made by the end of May. These funds were made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the Economic Recovery Package.
“These benefits will provide vital assistance and they come at a critical time for Iowans and our communities,” said Harkin. “As recovery dollars continue to flow into the state, communities and families alike are reaping the benefits of this effective recovery package.”
It also includes one-time payments to recipients of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits. Along with these benefits, last month Iowa’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund was positioned to receive $71 million from the U.S. Department of Labor to provide for more unemployed Iowans to claim benefits in the quarter they first become unemployed, helping to stimulate the economy by getting benefits out more quickly to Iowans. It also provides for an additional 26 weeks of benefits for workers who enroll in high-demand or high-tech training programs.
Social Security and SSI recipients do not need to do anything to receive their payment and should only contact the SSA if they do not receive a payment by June 4, 2009. Individuals also should not provide their personal information to anyone who contacts them requesting the information to process their payment.
For more information on these one-time payments please visit www.socialsecurity.gov, for additional information on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act please visit www.recovery.gov.
