Saturday, May 10, 2008

Stores offer stimulus perks

Evelyn Cronce El Defensor Chieftain

ECRONCE In Socorro, Smith's Food & Drug and Wal-Mart are participating in corporate programs encouraging customers to spend their economic stimulus payments at their stores.

Smith's is offering their gift cards with a bonus, an additional 10 percent added to the card. Wal-Mart is offering a Visa-backed debit card and free stimulus check cashing but no bonus.

Cards must be purchased at any Smith's location in $300 increments, either in exchange for a government stimulus check or other cash payment.

Scott Jameson, Smith's manager, said customers do not have to bring in a stimulus check to take advantage of the offer. Anyone with a Smith's rewards card can purchase the gift cards between now and July 31 and receive the bonus amount.

For every $300, an additional $30 will be added to the card. For example, a $300 card will be worth $330, a $600 card will be worth $660 and a $1,200 card will be worth $1,320. The cards are good at any Smith's grocery store, but are not redeemable for cash.

Jameson said the corporation is holding the promotion to build their customer base and increase customer loyalty.

"We know times are tough. This is what we can do to help," he said.

Jameson said the cards are really a double value. He said customers get reward points when they purchase the card and when they use the card. If a customer buys a $300 card, he or she gets 300 reward points on the Smith's reward card. When the card is used, the customer gets 330 points for the purchases.

Jameson said a man came in and bought a $1,200 card for his daughter, who is a Tech student.

"Everybody's got to eat," Jameson said.

Wal-Mart will waive their normal fee to people who are cashing their economic stimulus checks. The dollar amount can then be placed free of charge onto a Wal-Mart Visa-backed money card. The money card functions as a debit card and can be used wherever a Visa card is accepted. Normal fees will apply if the card is used at an Automated Teller Machine.

According to the Internal Revenue Service, economic stimulus payments are being issued according to the last two-digits of the main filer's social security number. For joint filers, the payments will go out based on the person listed first on the return. Payments will be made by either direct deposit or paper check, consistent with how people filed their 2007 tax return.

People who use direct deposit also will be among the first to receive the payments. Direct deposits are scheduled throughout May. Social security numbers ending in 00 through 20 were scheduled to arrive no later than May 2. Numbers ending in 21 through 75 were scheduled for no later than May 9. Numbers ending in 76 through 99 are scheduled to be no later than May 16.

Paper checks will also go out based on Social Security number. For Social Security numbers ending in 00 through 09, the paper checks were mailed starting May 9 and continue through May 16. Numbers ending in 10 through 18 are scheduled to be mailed by May 23. Numbers ending in 19 through 25 are scheduled to be mailed by May 30. Numbers ending in 26 through 38 are scheduled to be mailed by June 6. Numbers ending in 39 through 51 are scheduled to be mailed by June 13. Numbers ending in 52 through 63 are scheduled to be mailed by June 20. Numbers ending in 64 through 75 are scheduled to be mailed by June 27. Numbers ending in 76 through 87 are scheduled to be mailed by July 4. The last group of checks, those going to people with social security numbers 88 through 99 are scheduled to be mailed by July 11.

People who file a 2007 federal tax return after April 15 will receive their economic stimulus payment, but probably later than the schedule shows. For questions about the stimulus payments, call toll-free 800-829-1040.

ecronce@dchieftain.com

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