WASHINGTON, D.C. – A robust outreach campaign targeting 5.6 million Social Security beneficiaries and veterans is needed to ensure that the economic stimulus payments reach all eligible populations. This is one of the findings from a joint hearing held today by the Ways and Means Subcommittees on Oversight and Social Security.
“Congress acted quickly to deliver relief to Americans by passing a stimulus package designed to jumpstart the economy and help families struggling under the weight of higher gas and food prices,” said Oversight Chairman John Lewis (D-GA). “With unemployment rates on the rise and the U.S. economy continuing to struggle, we must ensure that millions of Americans eligible for stimulus checks receive them.”
As of June 13, the Department of the Treasury had distributed nearly $64 billion of stimulus payments to 76 million individuals. Moreover, about 14 million of the estimated 20.5 million Social Security and Veterans Administration beneficiaries who may be eligible for a stimulus payment have applied. Social Security and Veterans Administration beneficiaries, who do not normally file an income tax return, must file a return by October 15, 2008, in order to receive a stimulus check this year.
The hearing also highlighted how the economic stimulus program has strained the operations and assistance programs of the IRS. The Subcommittees found that only 1 in 10 taxpayers who telephone the IRS for assistance will be able to speak with someone and that the average wait time for a live assistor has increased to 13 minutes.
Congress appropriated nearly $300 million for costs associated with distributing the payments — including staffing, mailing costs, and outreach to eligible taxpayers and Social Security beneficiaries. The Subcommittees found that little money remains from amounts allocated to these agencies to administer the stimulus program. The Subcommittees told the Administration to let the Congress know what additional funds are needed.
“I am impressed by the hard work and dedication of the agencies in their effort to make the stimulus payment program as efficient and effective as possible,” said Social Security Chairman Michael R. McNulty (D-NY). “The employees and leadership of the IRS and SSA should be commended for tackling this monumental task as successfully as they have. There are still some pockets of individuals who need to be reached before October 15, 2008, and I look forward to working with my colleagues and the agencies to do this without unduly impacting the other important work that the agencies are doing on behalf of taxpayers, seniors, veterans and low-income workers.”
To learn more about this hearing, click here.
