Mainers could lose federal benefits if government goes into default
PORTLAND (WGME) – The U.S. is now a week away from hitting the deadline for possible default, putting the economy, and especially millions of people on things like Social Security, on edge.
Roughly $25 billion worth of Social Security payments are set to be sent out on June 2, according to CNN.
If the U.S. defaults on its debt, the Department of the Treasury could likely choose to delay those payments for the roughly 66 million beneficiaries.
In Maine, that's roughly 360,000 people, according to recent data from AARP.
In a tweet, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree says her office phones are ringing off the hook with Mainers worried about missing their veteran benefits and Social Security checks.
Her office says they have received more than 1,000 emails concerned about the debt ceiling.
For 40 percent of recipients, the payments make up at least 90 percent of their income, according to the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.
The average benefit for retired workers is $1,800 a month.
Pingree is urging House Republicans to pay America's debts, saying, "Hard-earned Social Security and veterans benefits of millions are at risk."
It's not just Social Security recipients, but also food stamp recipients.
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services says more than 100,000 Maine households currently receive SNAP benefits.
This is one of the many programs that could be delayed by the default.
