Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Man Tries to Order Priciest Starbucks Drink Ever Total cost: $23.60 »

Obama's Stealth Stimulus: $250 Checks to Seniors

With social security stagnant, Obama proposes payment to elderly

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 15, 2009 8:12 AM CDT

(Newser) – Seniors won’t be getting a boost in their Social Security benefits this January, but President Obama tried to head off that announcement yesterday by encouraging Congress to give them all a one-time $250 check. The administration sees these payments, which would cost the government about $13 billion, as another way to pump money into the economy without exposing itself to the criticism that would accompany a second major stimulus bill.

The White House is looking into a number of such measures, hoping especially to help those who haven’t yet felt the recovery. Several legislators were already working on proposals to compensate Social Security recipients, who, because inflation has been non-existent, aren’t getting a cost-of-living increase for the first time in 30 years. Bills proposed last month in the House and Senate call for extra Social Security payroll taxes on wealthy Americans who make between $250,000 and $359,000 to cover the payments.

Trays of printed social security checks wait to be mailed from the US Treasury's Financial Management services facility in Philadelphia.
Trays of printed social security checks wait to be mailed from the US Treasury's Financial Management services facility in Philadelphia.   (AP Photo/Bradley C Bower, File)
President Barack Obama delivers remarks at an event celebrating the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the US Senate in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009.
President Barack Obama delivers remarks at an event celebrating the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the US Senate in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 26 comments
luluzz
Oct 16, 2009 2:58 AM CDT
donnz didn't you get your $250 check back in Feb/March? It was so small maybe you missed it or forgot because all it did was help pay the monthly bill. I agree with you that C/S should take the same for their cost of living increase.
Snowleopard
Oct 15, 2009 9:58 AM CDT
I don't know why I bother reading these comments anymore. it just sounds like people cheering for their favorite football team and bashing the opposition.
LogicAppeal
Oct 15, 2009 7:30 AM CDT
Sorry. Accidentally thumbed your comment down.

More Newser Stories

Obama Plan Preview: $3T Savings, $1.5T Tax Boost

Obama Scrambles for Jobs Plan

Second Stimulus, Additional Debt Release Coming

Obama to GOP: 'Stop Drawing Lines in the Sand'

Recession Worse Than Thought; GDP Growth Weak


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne