Over a million signatures have been gathered by The Senior Citizens League (TSCL), a nonpartisan advocacy group for senior citizens, to get support and attention for an emergency $1,400 stimulus check to cope with an unprecedented situation.
“I (and/or my spouse) want Social Security recipients to receive a $1,400.00 emergency stimulus check to cope during this unprecedented inflationary year. Social Security benefits are one of the few types of income in retirement adjusted for inflation,” The petition states.
With the 5% inflation surge within the past 13 months, this petition argues that COLA increases are not suitable for seniors living on fixed incomes.
“In 2021 Social Security benefits increased by just 1.3% raising the average benefit by only about $20 a month. But about 86% of Social Security recipients surveyed say their expenses increased by much more than that amount,” The petition continued.
It is the meat industry that has seen the largest increase in prices. Overall inflation has been around 5%, but prices for chickens are up 7.2%, pork is up 9%, and ground beef is nearly 13% higher than it was last year.
Read More: Seniors: You’ll Still Get Social Security Benefits Next Year
On their already tight fixed incomes, senior citizens may be able to afford groceries with a $1,400 check. SNAP research shows that approximately 25% of low-income seniors experience food insecurity.
As much as 6% COLA is expected to be passed along to Social Security beneficiaries, one of the largest increases in history, but rising health care costs and inflation could wipe out much of that benefit. There is still a possibility for the prospect of recovery for basic grocery items to be hurt by a fourth stimulus check to help struggling seniors cope with a year of surging prices and inadequate supply chains.