Citing rising healthcare and prescription drug costs, the senior advocacy organization AARP is calling on Congress to introduce legislation to provide a $250 emergency relief grant to seniors who are struggling in today’s economic climate.

In a letter to House and Senate leaders, AARP CEO Barry Rand stated:

“On behalf of our 40 million members nationwide, AARP would like to express our strong support for providing America’s seniors with $250 in emergency relief as the appropriate legislative response to the projected lack of a Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2010.”

Rand’s letter to Democrats House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Republican Minority Leaders Congressmember John Boehner and Senator Mitch McConnell, noted seniors spend a disproportionate share of their income on health costs, including prescription drugs.

Besides that, Rand said, many seniors have lost a significant portion of their retirement savings because of the economic downturn and will not have much chance of recouping the losses because of their age. In addition, the value of their homes has decreased and seniors will be in distress if they have to tap the equity in their homes in order to fund their retirement.

Meanwhile, Rand said, the Social Security Administration is poised to announce that for the first time since COLAs were provided in 1975, a COLA will not be provided in 2010 due to unusually poor conditions in the U.S. economy over the past 12 months.

The COLA is based on the cost of living index, which in most years goes up. To compensate seniors for the increases in their daily living costs, the SS benefit for the following year is increased slightly. But because there was no increase in the cost of living this year, there will be no COLA in 2010.

Rand concluded his appeal to the congressional leaders: “We urge you to pass legislation as soon as possible to provide relief to millions of Americans who will not receive a COLA next year. Many of these individuals have suffered significant economic harm over the past year and a half and are depending on Congress to address this important matter.

“We look forward to working with you to enact this needed relief as soon as possible.”

AARP has 40 million members 50 years of age and over and advocates for them without endorsing candidates or making contributions to political campaigns.