Here's why you might be getting a $90 check from Social Security
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More than 20 million Americans enrolled in Medicare may have noticed an extra $90 from the Social Security Administration in their bank accounts this month.
Why it matters: Any extra cash is going to excite Americans, many of whom are upset with the country's rising costs for groceries, gas and other bills.
- The payments arrive less than a month before the midterm elections, as President Trump faces some of the worst economic polling of any president in the last decade.
Driving the news: Roughly 20 million Medicare recipients are scheduled to receive $90 from the SSA this month.
- The extra money is thanks to a rebate that was announced on Oct. 2 by the White House, with the "premium rebates" intended to assist Medicare "enrollees pay for their Medicare Part B premiums."
- Most enrollees should expect a $90 direct deposit this week. Some recipients will receive paper checks later this month.
Context: The rebate comes courtesy of the Medicare Improvement Fund, which Congress created in 2008 to improve Medicare Parts A and B.
- $90 is roughly half the cost of a standard monthly Medicare Part B premium, which costs about $202 a month in 2026.
- This follows Trump's promise of $100 checks to seniors enrolled in Medicare earlier in October.
Who qualifies for $90 rebate checks
How it works: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services says 20.8 million Americans qualify for the rebates.
- Beneficiaries must live in the United States and not receive any premium assistance from Medicaid.
- Enrollees can't be high-income earners who pay more on top of the standard premium.
- Medicare Advantage enrollees are not eligible.
Worthy of your time: To find out if you're eligible, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
$500 ACA rebate checks
Zoom out: The Trump administration is making many moves that aim to put cash back in American pocketbooks as financial woes upset much of the country.
- One way is through $500 rebate checks to those the administration says were overcharged for Obamacare coverage.
- The White House says it sent the one-time payments to about 1 million Affordable Care Act enrollees.
- Checks started going out on Sept. 30.
Trump's $5,000 checks
Yes, but: Trump has also promised Americans $5,000 checks if Republicans retain both chambers of Congress in the midterm election, dangling a financial incentive that could help many Americans with their bills and rising costs.
