Bonus Social Security Payments, Like Flowers, to Sprout in May

March 26, 2009, 6:27 a.m. EDT

While some worry stimulus funding won't reach them before it's too late, one group of beneficiaries is actually getting its payments early.

People who receive Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits will be getting a separate $250 check in May, some six weeks earlier than the legislation requires, Vice President Joe Biden announced today at a meeting with the Cabinet and assorted other officials.

So, for those of you keeping track at home, add 50 million people to your list of those helped by the stimulus and about $13 billion to your expenditures column.

But if you are expecting a check, don't start waiting by the door for your federal May Basket. People getting Social Security or SSI should not contact the agency unless a payment is not received by June 4, 2009, the official release says. While you wait, you can check out the Social Security agency's FAQ on the payment.

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