Payments proposed in lieu of benefit raise

WASHINGTON -- A House bill introduced Friday by Rep. Dina Titus of Nevada and nine other Democrats would provide a $250 payment to Social Security recipients if they do not qualify for an automatic cost-of-living raise this year.

The Social Security Administration is expected in the fall to announce there will be no cost-of-living adjustment in 2011, the second consecutive year of no increase in the benefit.

The Democratic bill would provide a one-time $250 payment to cushion seniors, said Titus, up for re-election. Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., the main sponsor, said 57 million people would get checks.

"The overall cost of living may not have increased, but costs that disproportionately affect seniors, such as health care, have continued to rise," Titus said.