President Obama recently signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This act provides for the one-time payment of $250 to individuals who get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security benefits. We expect everyone who is entitled to a payment to receive it by late May 2009. No action is required on your part. We are currently working on the details regarding how we will issue nearly 55 million one-time payments to our beneficiaries. When more information becomes available, we will promptly post it. Please bookmark this site and check back regularly.

Who will receive a one-time economic stimulus payment from Social Security?

Nearly 55 million Social Security and SSI beneficiaries will receive a one-time payment of $250 each. To receive a payment, the beneficiary s address of record must be in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or the Northern Mariana Islands.

When can I expect to receive my one-time economic stimulus payment?

We plan to pay all eligible Social Security and SSI beneficiaries by late May 2009, so you should expect to receive your payment no later than the first week of June 2009. The one-time payment will be a separate payment, which will not be included in your regular monthly benefit payment.

How will I receive my one-time economic stimulus payment?

We will deliver your payment in the same way we currently deliver your Social Security or SSI benefit. If we deliver your monthly benefit by check, we Will deliver your one-time payment by check. If you receive a monthly direct deposit or Direct Express. debit card payment, that is how you will receive your one-time payment.

Are individuals entitled to more than one one-time economic stimulus payment?

No, individuals may receive only one $250 payment regardless of how many types of benefits they receive. An individual receiving Social Security and SSI or an individual receiving Social Security and Veterans or Railroad Retirement benefits, will be entitled to only one payment.

Are beneficiaries from other federal programs eligible for this one-time economic stimulus payment?

Yes, individuals receiving benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or Railroad Retirement Board may be eligible for these one-time payments.

Warning: Scam Artists Are Contacting Taxpayers about the Stimulus Payments!

Social Security has received reports of scam artists attempting to use the recently passed Stimulus bill to fraudulently obtain personal financial information. As we have seen in similar scams over the years, the caller poses as an employee of a federal agency, typically SSA or IRS, and claims to need more information before the stimulus payment can be issued. The scammer then tries to obtain the consumer's Social Security Number, bank account data or credit card information. If successful, the financial damage can be lightning quick and significant.

The IRS website has alerted the public to similar scams:

Warning — Scam Artists Are Contacting Taxpayers about the Stimulus Payments

The IRS is not e-mailing or calling taxpayers about their stimulus payment. So if someone claiming to be from the IRS calls or e-mails you about the payments and asks you for a Social Security, bank account or credit card number or similar information, it's a scam. The scammers are trying to get your personal and financial information so they can empty your bank account, run up charges on your credit card and more.

Other reported scams have referred the consumer to an unrelated phone number offering sales pitches for online gambling, Internet phone service, and a host of services having nothing to do with Social Security or the stimulus.

If contacted by a member of the public about these kinds of contacts, keep in mind messages that we've shared with you in the past:

• Never provide your Social Security Number or other personal information over the Internet or by telephone unless you are extremely confident of the source to whom you are providing the information.
• If there is any doubt at all about someone who claims to be a Social Security representative, contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 to verify the legitimacy of the call.
• Social Security will not send you an email asking for personal information.
• Social Security does not charge for its services.
• Treat your Social Security Number as confidential information and do not give it out except when absolutely required.

By keeping these messages in mind, we can help our customers avoid becoming victims of financial scams. The real information that the public needs to know about the Stimulus Payments is found on Social Security's website. That page also includes a link to over 20 frequently asked questions.

If you have any questions about this message, please contact the Regional Public Affairs Office at (510)970-8430 Leslie S. Walker - Regional Communications Director