AUSTIN, TEXAS -- More than 200 Texas state inmates were sent federal economic stimulus checks even though most were ineligible to receive them.
Most were intercepted by prison officials, but nine inmates were allowed to keep money because they were eligible for the payments.
The federal stimulus included $250 checks for anyone who received Social Security, Veterans Affairs or Railroad Retirement Board benefits between November 2008 and January 2009.
Incarcerated convicts generally are ineligible to receive federal benefits checks, officials said. Those who weren't in prison between November 2008 and January 2009 could legally accept them, Social Security Administration officials said.
