Washington, Oct 15 (THAINDIAN NEWS) President Barack Obama, in a benevolent gesture has asked the Congress to approve a $250 payment this year to more than 50 million seniors to make up for the absence of a hike in Social Security next year.



The Social Security Administration is slated to announce today, that there will be no cost of living increase in 2010, officials said. This is because the Increases in Social Security are tied to inflation, which has been down this year.


This $250 payment to seniors would cost of around $13 billion, White House officials said.
“Even as we seek to bring about recovery, we must act on behalf of those hardest hit by this recession,” Obama said. 



“Social Security is doing its job helping Americans maintain their standard of living,” said Social Security Commissioner Michael J. Astrue.

But, he added, “In light of the human need, we need to support President Obama’s call for us to make another $250 recovery payment for 57 million Americans.”

Sens. Bernard Sanders, I-Vt., and Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., welcomed the president’s support for the payments, which enhances its potential for passage in Congress.
“I very much appreciate the president’s understanding that in the midst of this terrible recession, we cannot turn our backs on senior citizens and disabled veterans,” Sanders said.

Nearly 70 percent of beneficiaries depend on Social Security for at least half of their income, and Social Security is the sole source of income for 15 percent of recipients, Sanders said.