Stimulus payments for social security recipients underway

Thursday marked the first disbursement of federal stimulus payments to Georgians and others who receive Social Security benefits, the U.S. Treasury Department said.

The state will receive a total of $345.8 million — in the form of one-time, $250 payments — for recipients of Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, railroad retirement and Veteran Affairs benefits, the Treasury office said.

About 54 million of these payments will be issued nationwide during May and June, with about 24 million Social Security recipients receiving payments starting May 7. Payments to other recipients will follow.

“These payments represent our continued commitment to stimulating the economy by putting money directly back in people’s pockets,” Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner has said.

Recipients are not required to take any action to receive these payments.