Governor Doyle Announces $267 Million for Wisconsin Retirees and Disabled Veterans

MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today announced that Wisconsin retirees, disabled veterans, and other Social Security and SSI recipients will benefit from an estimated $267 million in one-time Economic Recovery Payments as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The $250 payments are expected to be issued by late May 2009.

“Citizens on fixed incomes have been hit especially hard by the economic turmoil,” Governor Doyle said. “The Economic Recovery Payments will provide some financial relief this spring for the retirees, disabled veterans and others who have given so much to our state.”

Recipients of Social Security and Security Supplemental Income (SSI) will receive the recovery payments without any action on their part. A payment will be provided the same way a person currently receives Social Security benefits, either via check, direct deposit or direct debit card. The payment will be issued separately from regular monthly payments.

Nearly 1.1 million Wisconsin residents will receive a payment. The provision does not impact a taxpayer’s Wisconsin income tax liability.

The one-time Economic Recovery Payment is part of a total $5.2 billion in tax savings for Wisconsin families and businesses over the next three years included in the federal recovery plan.

For more information, please visit the Social Security Administration website at: www.ssa.gov/payment.