Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:43:13 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: [Disabilities Network of NYC] SIGN ON: Letter to exempt $250 stimulus payment from state benefits

As you know, the federal stimulus package includes a $250 payment to
everyone receiving Social Security benefits (SSI, SSDI, retirement), and
veterans' disability benefits/pensions. The stimulus package
specifically says that this $250 can't be counted when calculating
eligibility for any benefits that use federal funds. However, this does
not apply to benefit funded entirely by state or local govts.

Attached is a letter asking the New York State leaders to enact
legislation that will exempt the $250 Social Security/SSI/VA stimulus
payment from state-only funded benefits and state income taxes. The
federal law exempts it from all federally-funded benefits, but there are
state benefits, some of which are listed in the letter, that some
individuals might lose based on this payment. This will cost the state
nothing. It won't expand eligibility for any benefit, it will just
allow people who were already eligible for a benefit to continue
receiving it. Otherwise, people whose income is right at the upper
limit of the particular program, like SCRIE, DRIE, or EPIC, could lose
it. This would ensure that no New Yorkers will forfeit any benefit or
part of this $250.

The payments will be sent out in May, so there's just time to get
legislation going and get word out so people won't panic, and government
offices that process these benefits can be advised of the exemption.

Also, the letter asks that the payment be exempt from state income
taxes, as it is from federal taxes.

PLEASE E-MAIL SUSAN DOOHA at sdooha@cidny.org <mailto:sdooha@cidny.org>
if your organization will sign on, giving the full name of the
organization.

Thank you.

Linda Ostreicher, Director of Public Policy
Center for Independence of the Disabled of New York
841 Broadway, Room 301, New York, NY 10003
646-442-4153