Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that would provide a one-time, $250 payment to recipients of Social Security and other Federal benefits, in the event that no cost-of-living adjustment is available in 2011.

Highlights:

• Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to disburse a $250 payment to each individual entitled to Federal benefits if no cost-of-living increase takes effect by the end of December, 2010 (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that eligibility for the $250 payment is limited to those individuals who were entitled to any of the following in October, November, or December of 2010 (Sec. 2):
• Social Security;
• Railroad Retirement benefits;
• Veterans benefits; or
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

• Authorizes payment only to those individuals who reside in the following locations (Sec. 2):
• 1 of the 50 states;
• The District of Columbia;
• Puerto Rico;
• Guam;
• The United States Virgin Islands;
• American Samoa;
• Northern Mariana Islands; and
• Locations with a foreign or domestic Army Post Office, Fleet Post Office or Diplomatic Post Office address.

• Specifies that each individual shall receive only a single $250 payment, regardless of whether the individual is eligible for more than 1 benefit or cash payment under any Federal program (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Commissioner of Social Security, the Railroad Retirement Board, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to identify individuals who are eligible for the $250 payment, and to provide the information needed to disburse the payments to the Secretary of the Treasury (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits the Internal Revenue Service from regarding the $250 payment as gross income (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits the $250 payment from being included as income, or as a resource, when determining eligibility for benefits under any Federal, State, or local program financed by Federal funds (Sec. 2).

• Exempts from eligibility any individual whose date of death occurs prior to the date the payment is received or direct-deposited into the individual's account (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to begin disbursing payments at the earliest possible date in 2011, but before April 1, 2011 (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits the disbursement of the $250 payments after December 31, 2011 (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text