Pentagon Gouge - Mass Transit Subsidy RAISE!

For those of you who use mass transit to commute to work in the DC area, GOOD NEWS!

They've RAISED the Mass Transit Subsidy to $230 per month. It used to be $115.

THE AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT OF 2009:

Starting March 2nd, 2009 the MTBP maximum allowance amount has been raised to $230 per month. IT IS REQUIRED that all participants fill out a short recertification form, which can be found on this MTBP website, CLICK here. A fax number is provided for you on the form and in addition to faxing in your form, please also make sure to bring your short recertification form with you when you come the distribution table. Recertification forms will be made availible at the various distribution locations, but please note that the forms must be completed prior to receiving benefits.

Those who are new enrollees, after March 2nd, will receive up to $230 from their initial date of pick up on forward. Those current participants who have already picked up for this current quarter will be able to pick up any additional benefits, for which they are eligible, at one of the make-up distributions in March.

MAKE-UP/SUPPLEMENTAL DISTRIBUTION SCHEDULE IS LISTED here.

PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU ARE A CURRENT PARTICIPANT AND HAVE ALREADY PICKED UP BENEFITS FOR THE CURRENT QUARTER, YOU MAY NOT PICK UP ANY ADDITIONAL BENEFITS BEFORE THE MAKE-UP/SUPPLEMENTAL DISTRIBUTIONS AT THE END OF THE MONTH.

Wahoooooo!

Riding on the Loudoun County commuter bus costs me $7 per trip x 2 times per day x 5 days per week = $70 per week.

$70 per week x 4 weeks = $280 per month.

So the new $230 per month rate will pay for most of my commuting cost. As it is, I end up having to drive to work for one reason or another once every two weeks or so, so it should all work out nicely for me.