Economic Recovery Payments (57.005)

Program

57.005 Economic Recovery Payments

Federal Agency

Agency: Railroad Retirement Board

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.

Program Number

57.005

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To make one-time payments to eligible beneficiaries of Railroad Retirement benefits, most of whom subsist on a fixed income, in order to assist with living expenses and contribute to the nation�s economic recovery.

Types of Assistance

Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use

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

None

Beneficiary Eligibility

None

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.

Application 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 Procedure

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 Procedure

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.

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.

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

Financial Information

Account Identification

60-0115-0-1-601.

Obligations

(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).

Related Programs

57.001 Social Insurance for Railroad Workers

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, Illinois 60611-2092 Email: opa@rrb.gov Phone: (312) 751-4777

Web Site Address

http://www.rrb.gov

Examples of Funded Projects

Not Applicable.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Not Applicable.