Social Security News.

ECONOMIC RECOVERY PAYMENTS - The federal government will send out $250 economic recovery payments to people who receive Social Security & Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits beginning in early May 2009 & continuing throughout the month. No action is required to get the payment, which will be sent separately from the person's regular monthly payment. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides for a one-time payment of $250 to adult Social Security beneficiaries, and to SSI recipients, except those receiving Medicaid in care facilities. To receive the payment the individual must be eligible for Social Security or SSI during the months of November 2008, December 2008 or January 2009. More info is at: www.socialsecurity.gov/payment.

GOING TO WORK GUIDE, UPDATED - The Going to Work: A Guide to Social Security Benefits & Employment for Young People with Disabilities has been updated. It provides basic information about Social Security disability & health benefit programs, explains what happens to these benefits when a young person goes to work, & explains how to maximize a young person's options when starting work. It is available at http://www.communityinclusion.org/article.php?article_id=211.

COMPASSIONATE ALLOWANCES INITIATIVE - The Social Security Administration has compiled a list of 50 illnesses, which qualify for the Compassionate Allowances initiative, which expedites the approval process for applicants with the most significant disabilities & illnesses who file for disability benefits. The list currently includes 25 rare diseases and 25 cancers and can be reviewed at the SSA's web site at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances/