ECONOMIC RECOVERY PAYMENTS
The Railroad Retirement Board has 53 local offices around the country.
To contact or obtain the address for the nearest office, call
1-877-772-5772.
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2008: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2009: In fiscal year 2009, nearly 540,000 Railroad Retirement beneficiaries will receive the one-time economic recovery payment. Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available
Uses and Use Restrictions
A one-time payment of $250 will be paid to eligible recipients of benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act.
There are no restrictions on the use of the payment.
If an individual has a representative payee acting in a fiduciary capacity, that payee is required to use the payment for the benefit of that individual.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act also authorized such payments for certain recipients of Social Security and Veterans benefits, but an individual may not receive more than one $250 payment.
The amount of the payment may be offset by the Department of the Treasury to collect delinquent child support and debts owed to State and Federal agencies.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Specialized group (e.g.
health professionals, students, veterans): Income Security/Social Service/Welfare; Transportation
Beneficiary Eligibility
Individual/Family; Specialized group (e.g. health professionals, students, veterans); Senior Citizen (60+); Pension Recipient
Credentials/Documentation
In order to receive the one-time payment, an individual must have been entitled to the underlying Railroad Retirement benefit during November 2008, December 2008, or January 2009. Proof of age must be provided for retirement benefits. For spouse and survivor benefits, proof of marriage and familial relationship is required. Medical evidence is necessary for disability benefits. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
Environmental impact information is not required for this program.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. No application is necessary for the one-time payment. The Railroad Retirement Board will certify the individuals entitled to the one-time payment and provide the Department of the Treasury with the information needed for disbursement. Application for the underlying Railroad Retirement benefits can be made at any office of the Railroad Retirement Board. Individuals can call 1-877-772-5772 for the location of the nearest office.
Award Procedures
The Department of the Treasury will make the payments to individuals certified as eligible by the Railroad Retirement Board.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Authorization
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Public Law 111-5; Railroad Retirement Act of 1974, as amended, Public Law 93-445, 45 U.S.C. 231 et seq.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
From 90 to 120 days. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act requires the Department of the Treasury to make the payments within 120 days of enactment, or by June 17, 2009.
Appeals
Individuals who are eligible for a one-time payment but have not received it by June 8, 2009, should contact the Railroad Retirement Board at 1-877-772-5772. In terms of eligibility determinations for the underlying Railroad Retirement benefits, initial appeals are made to the agency s Reconsideration Section, with subsequent appeals to the Bureau of Hearings and Appeals, the Board and the U.S. Court of Appeals.
Renewals
Not Applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.Matching requirements are not applicable to this program. MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Not applicable. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: lump sum.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Audits
Not Applicable.
Records
Not applicable.
Financial Information
Account Identification
60-0115-0-1-601.
Obigations
(Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use) FY 08 $0; FY 09 est $135,000,000; FY 10 est $0
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Eligible Railroad Retirement beneficiaries will each receive a one-time payment of $250.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
The Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 200 through 295, covers benefits paid under the Railroad Retirement Act. Information on Railroad Retirement benefits and the one-time payment is also available in press releases, similar documents and various publications. They can be obtained free of charge at any Railroad Retirement Board office and on the agency web site (www.rrb.gov). Information on the one-time payment is also available at the Recovery Act web site (www.recovery.gov).
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Regional Agency Offices. The Railroad Retirement Board has 53 local offices around the country. To contact or obtain the address for the nearest office, call
1-877-772-5772.
Headquarters Office
Railroad Retirement Board 844 North Rush Street, Chicago 60611-2092 Email: opa@rrb.gov Phone: (312) 751-4777
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not Applicable.
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