More than 52 million Social Security beneficiaries will today begin receiving an extra $250 payment, as part of the effort to reinvigorate the American economy and boost consumer spending. The additional bonus check, which also will be sent to older veterans and railroad retirees, is part of the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act—the so-called stimulus package—passed by Congress and signed by President Obama on Feb. 17.

You won’t have to file any forms to get the money. Payments will show up through May as an extra check or an automatic bank deposit, depending on how you receive your benefits. Couples who are eligible will receive a total of $500.

A spokesman for Social Security says those who usually get their benefit checks during the first week of the month will be the first to receive their additional payment, which could be as early as today.

No one knows yet what recipients will really do with their $250, but that hasn’t stopped the Social Security Administration from asking. On April 9, the SSA posed the question on its website. So far, more than 4,000 people have responded. Their answers suggest that recipients are likely to go out and spend their windfall—exactly what the plan’s architects hoped for.

A few examples:

“I am going to buy some supplies I need for my lawn mower and a Chicago Cubs baseball cap.”

“I will take my wife to dinner and a play in New York City.”

“Buy a new digital TV or a nice bed.”

“My wife and I are going to put it right back into the economy!! We need plants and shrubs for our backyard. I will be painting my home and will be buying up to 10 gallons of paint.”

“My sister and I are going to rent a car and drive to Ohio to see our half-sister, as she is turning 92 years old in June. We haven’t seen her in 53 years. Thank you, President Obama.”

“I hope to get an eye exam and contact lenses. My eyesight is pretty bad and we don’t have any extra money, this will greatly help me!”

“When I get the one-time payment I am going to hand out $5 dollar bills to the first 50 children ages 5-15 who come downtown in my small village of Waldron, Mich.”

Carol Simons is an excutive editor at the AARP Bulletin.