President Donald Trump said he plans to send $90 checks to more than 20 million seniors in the coming days.
The one-time payments will reach Medicare B enrollees across all 50 states at some point early this month, the White House announced on Oct. 2.
The most populated states were expected to receive the most checks. In Arizona, officials estimated that 492,000 seniors enrolled in Medicare will receive the check.
The announcement comes as affordability and the cost of living remain top concerns for voters ahead of the November midterm elections. Trump has increasingly turned to direct payments to Americans, including $500 refund checks tied to health care costs, as control of Congress hangs in the balance.
Here's everything you need to know about
the $90 checks for seniors enrolled in Medicare.
Who's getting $90 Medicare checks?
The $90 payments are headed to more than 20 million Medicare B enrollees spanning all 50 states, with the most populated states receiving the most checks, according to a White House breakdown of the payments reviewed by USA TODAY.
Individuals whose health care premiums are already paid by Medicaid or who pay an income-related monthly adjustment amount do not qualify for the $90, the White House said.
Seniors who want to check on their eligibility for the rebate can call 1-800-633-4227.
When will Medicare enrollees get $90 checks?
The majority of eligible seniors will receive their payment via direct deposit from the Social Security Administration on or around Oct. 8, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Those without direct deposit will receive a paper check at the address they have registered with Medicare later in October. The check will be from the U.S. Department of the Treasury and labeled "Medicare Improvement Fund Payment; $90 Payment to Offset October Premium," per CMS.
To check on payment status, eligible beneficiaries can call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.
How are $90 checks being funded?
To fund the payments, the Trump administration is diverting money from the $2 billion Medicare Improvement Fund, which Congress created in 2008 to improve Medicare services.
Trump called the fund a "pointless 'Slush Fund'" in a Truth Social post announcing the checks. The White House said the improvement fund has never been utilized.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Why Social Security recipients in Arizona are getting $90 checks
