More than 79,000 residents of Virginia’s 11th Congressional District who receive Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits or Veterans Administration benefits will receive $250 economic recovery payments in May, Congressman Gerry Connolly said.

Vice President Joe Biden and Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, announced Thursday that the federal government will send out $250 economic recovery payments to people who receive Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits beginning in early May 2009 and continuing throughout the month.  Veterans who receive VA benefits will also get the payment.  No action is required to get the payment, which will be sent separately from the person’s regular monthly payment.

“These payments will go out to more than 50 million of our most vulnerable Americans and directly inject more than $13 billion in to the economy,” Congressman Connolly said.  “How we treat our seniors and veterans says a lot about who we are as a society and I feel strongly that they get the support and recognition they deserve.”

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides for a one-time payment of $250 to adult Social Security beneficiaries, and to SSI recipients, except those receiving Medicaid in care facilities.  To receive the payment the individual must be eligible for Social Security or SSI during the months of November 2008, December 2008 or January 2009. 

The legislation also provides for a one-time payment to Veterans Affairs (VA) and Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) beneficiaries.  The VA and RRB will be responsible for paying individuals under their respective programs.  However, if someone receives Social Security and SSI, VA or RRB benefits, he or she will receive only one $250 payment.  People getting Social Security or SSI should not contact the agency unless a payment is not received by June 4, 2009.

"These are checks that will make a big difference in the lives of older Americans and people with disabilities, many of whom have been hit especially hard by the economic crisis, Connolly said."

For more detailed information about the $250 one-time economic recovery payments, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/payment.