US President Donald Trump has announced one-time $90 payments for more than 20 million Medicare Part B enrollees, while renewing his proposal for a much larger $5,000 payment to adult US citizens if Republicans retain control of Congress in the November 2026 midterm elections.
According to the White House, the Medicare payments will come from the Medicare Improvement Fund, which received $2 billion from Congress for improvements to the Medicare fee-for-service programme. Most eligible recipients are expected to receive the money through direct deposit in early October, while others will receive mailed checks.
The administration says most Medicare Part B enrollees qualify, although people whose premiums are already paid by Medicaid and those paying an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount are excluded.
Trump has also reiterated his proposed $5,000 “Trump Dividend”. The White House said the proposed payment would go to every adult US citizen if Republicans win both chambers of Congress in the midterms. The proposal remains a campaign pledge rather than an existing payment programme.
The announcements come as the administration faces concerns over living costs and its economic performance. An AP-NORC poll conducted in late September found that 65% of Americans attributed higher-than-usual prices to Trump’s policies, while 69% said his handling of the cost of living had been worse than expected.
The $90 Medicare payments and proposed $5,000 dividend are separate initiatives, with different eligibility requirements and funding mechanisms.
