Seniors struggling all across American will not see an automatic increase in Social Security and SSI benefits in 2011. This is because the official measure of the cost of living has gone down and not up, the Social Security Administration announced on Friday. The last time seniors received an automatic increase was in 2009, when benefits increased by 5.8 percent, the largest increase since 1982, on account of rising cost.
The year 2011 marks the second year in a row that seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities will see no automatic increase in their SSI benefits, having not received one in 2010. However, under the Recovery Act, some 56 million people benefited from the first Economic Recovery Payment in the amount of $250.
Yesterday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the House will vote to provide seniors with a one-time payment of $250 after the November 2, elections.
“I have asked the Ways and Means Committee to bring this legislation to the floor during the lame duck session”, Pelosi said. “All Members of Congress should join us in supporting this legislation which will be fiscally responsible and upholds our bedrock promise of economic security for our nation’s seniors.”
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs echoed Pelosi, urging “members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to support seniors, veterans and others”, who depend on these benefits.
Many political pundits suggest that even if Pelosi is able to pass the legislation in the House, the measure could face stiff opposition when it gets to the Senate.
