The economic stimulus legislation enacted in February 2009 provides a one-time payment of $250.00 to nearly all Social Security and SSI beneficiaries who were eligible for a benefit payment in any one of the following months:  November 2008, December 2008, or January 2009.  SSA made these payments in May 2009. I previously blogged about the stimulus payment here and here.

What happens if the individual is found eligible for benefits after May 2009? For example, an individual receives a favorable ALJ decision in September 2009, retroactive to an application filed in January 2008.  Based on the language in the legislation, this individual is eligible for the one-time $250.00 payment, since the legislation allows one-time payments to be made until December 31, 2010.

SSA has issued POMS instructions coverings these individuals.  POMS GN 02820.100.  According to the POMS, SSA will perform regular “catch-up” runs throughout 2009 and 2010 to pay newly eligible beneficiaries and will send a “catch-up” notice about the payments to these individuals.  With these runs, SSA will capture individuals who are newly eligible, e.g., a favorable appeal decision and individuals previously excluded.

The catch-up runs will occur as follows: (1) Each month, starting in June 2009; and (2) Bi-monthly in 2010 and ending December 31, 2010.

A new POMS section also has been issued to cover beneficiaries who refuse the one-time payment.  POMS GN 02820.080.  Instructions are provided if the beneficiary wants to “gift” the funds to the U.S. Government, but must be cashed and a new check or money order used to make the payment.

Source: National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives