Seniors receiving their Social Security stipend checks at the Rudolph Schulterbrandt Agriculture Fair Ground on St. Croix on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022. By. GOV'T HOUSE
On Monday the Office of Management and Budget resumed its Social Security Benefit stipend check distribution at the Rudolph Schulterbrandt Agriculture Fair Ground on St. Croix, with officials reporting an improvement over last week's chaotic, failed attempt.
During Monday's distribution, OMB used a staggered alphabetical process for check distribution to avoid issues encountered by large crowds of recipients last week. In doing so, OMB was able to streamline the process and the distribution of those checks is moving along, though there were traffic delays in the area.
The distribution of the Social Security Benefit Stipend in St. Croix will continue through 4 p.m. Monday, November 14, will resume at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, November 15, and continue through Friday, November 18, according to Gov't House.
Check distribution in the St. Thomas District continued Monday as normal in the parking lot at the Roy L. Schneider Regional Medical Center and at the St. John Administrator's Office in Cruz Bay.
The $500 payment will be issued to about 22,000 Social Security recipients in the Territory who are seniors or disabled adults.
Residents on St. Croix should note that there is no need to park up or line up before the 9 a.m. opening each day, as no checks will be given out before the 9 a.m. start time.
While it is understandable that individuals want to get through as early as possible, when residents start lining up hours before the 9 a.m. opening, it creates a traffic bottleneck.
According to the release, all residents who qualify will receive their payments. The distribution operation begins at 9 a.m. and continues through 4 p.m. daily, so residents who have some flexibility in their schedules are encouraged to take their time to arrive at the distribution site.
On St. Croix, residents can receive their checks according to alphabetical breakdown by last name as follows:
- A-F: Monday, November 14
- G-L: Tuesday, November 15
- M-R: Wednesday, November 16
- S-Z: Thursday, November 17
Residents who are unable to pick up their checks on the day assigned to them alphabetically will be able to pick them up from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, November 18 at the Agriculture fairgrounds.
If necessary, manual distribution of checks will continue past November 18.
OMB also is encouraging residents in both districts to use the option to receive their Social Security Stipends by mail.
To receive their stipends by mail, recipients can send an email to [email protected] with “SSA Stipend” in the subject line and provide the following information:
- Name
- Last four digits of their Social Security number
- Phone number
- Correct address
These funds are being made available from the American Rescue Plan Act State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, which allows for helping households respond to the negative economic impacts of the pandemic.
