I wish to clarify a few things because some are chanting "Obama stopped COLA payments," which is false.
In 2009/2010 SS recipients did not get a cost of living increase due to how the COLA has been calculated since the 1980's.
... After *1983, COLAs have been based on increases in the CPI-W from the third quarter of the prior year to the corresponding quarter of the current year in which the COLA became effective." http://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/colaseries.ht... Given the fact that Seniors have had no cost of living increase over the past couple of years, President Obama has called for emergency payments of $250, to help offset their hardship.
"Even as we seek to bring about recovery, we must act on behalf of those hardest hit by this recession," Obama said in a statement Wednesday. "That is why I am announcing my support for an additional $250 in emergency recovery assistance to seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities to help them make it through these difficult times."Obama's 2012 budget also called for a $250 payment to Senior Citizens.
"Obama Budget Raises Taxes On Rich And Big Estates, Sends $250 Checks To Seniors" ~ Forbes Feb. 2011President Obama's 2012 budget proposal failed to pass.
I wanted to set the record straight. Obama is not responsible for the lack of COLA increases to SS recipients. However, he is responsible for making sure that they received some relief.
Sources:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte... http://blogs.forbes.com/janetnovack/2011/0... /
http://retirementrevised.com/money/250-soc... http://money.cnn.com/2009/10/14/news/econo... http://www.moneysmartsblog.com/250-stimulu... 
