Commissioner Statement on Economic Impact Payments
Reading Time: 3 MinutesLast Updated: March 25, 2021
I want to provide an important update about the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) processing of Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act.
At each turn over the last 12 months, immediate delivery of EIPs has been, and remains, a top priority for this agency. SSA’s public service mission is squarely focused on many of those who are most economically-vulnerable in our society and we owe it to our beneficiaries to ensure they receive their EIPs right away. In fact, it was the substantial efforts of SSA that successfully overcame the fact that the IRS did not have a mechanism to automatically identify Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients, some of the most financially insecure people in America. It was SSA that pushed the prior Administration and Congress to allow us to send to IRS a file of those individuals, who do not receive forms SSA-1099, so that IRS could automatically issue EIPs to them.
Since the time that discussions began regarding issuance of EIPs in the ARP Act, weeks before passage, we have worked tirelessly with our counterparts at IRS to provide to them the information they need to issue payments to our beneficiaries. Despite the fact that Congress did not directly provide SSA funding to support our work on EIPs, we have provided countless hours of assistance to IRS consistent with the laws that establish how we may use the Trust Funds that every American counts on us to protect.
SSA discussed with Treasury and IRS, both before passage and after enactment of the ARP Act, that the Social Security Act does not allow the agency to use our administrative appropriation to conduct work on any non-mission provision or program. Accordingly, we were not authorized to substantively engage Treasury or IRS prior to the ARP’s passage. Instead, upon passage, we were required to pursue a reimbursable agreement with IRS because we received no direct appropriation through the ARP Act. From the outset of discussions, we kept congressional staff apprised of the hurdles this approach would create for SSA, and we have continued to update them on our progress with IRS as we completed the required interagency agreements.
Once we were free to move forward, we aggressively worked with Treasury and IRS to issue payments. As a result of our efforts, we successfully signed the reimbursable agreement and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) less than one week after passage, on March 17. That process often takes weeks or months to complete, but we got the job done in a matter of days. A few days later, on Monday, March 22, SSA sent initial test files to IRS. IRS confirmed testing success on Wednesday, March 24. Production files were delivered to IRS before 9 AM on Thursday, March 25 – more than a week sooner than we were able to provide a similar file to IRS during the first round of EIPs.
While we were working through the agreements with IRS that would fund our efforts to support issuance of EIPs, we were also protecting the integrity of the EIP program by updating the files that IRS will use to issue payments to our beneficiaries. Those updates to our files ensure that payments go to correct bank accounts and addresses, and, that those who are deceased are removed from the files. In short, Social Security employees have literally worked day and night with IRS staff to ensure that the electronic files of Social Security and SSI recipients are complete, accurate, and ready to be used to issue payments. There is no one more committed to serving the public than the employees of this agency, and there should be no doubt whatsoever that they are striving each day to serve the vulnerable populations to whom they have committed their careers. I find any insinuation to the contrary to be unacceptable.
I assure you that we will continue to do all we can to support implementation of the ARP Act.
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Tags: American Rescue Plan, Commissioner, Economic Impact Payments, social security, SSI
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Andrew Saul, Commissioner, Social Security Administration
Commissioner of Social Security Administration (June 17, 2019 - July 9, 2021)
Comments
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Craig
Some just have no idea what life is like being disabled now single and defending for yourself add what saintly I may have left .One thing is while I sure appreciate the help I can’t for the life of me figure out why our countries biggest sources make it so complicated cause this round I did not expect to be in worse shape being a NON Filer and direct deposit for year’s The system just made it more fierce costing me several fees at the bank as of 3-25 nothing .but hey my fault for counting on help.
Peggie A.
So when will I get my SSDI AND SSI Direct deposit EIP payment?
Michael T.
Does this mean who will be deposited to direct express acct.? I live outside the U.S . In the Philippines. Will my dip be thru direct express? My first who paid by check, took 7 months to reach me by mail! I have no idea if the status of the 2nd eip.
Jaimelle R.
Jaimelle Rethaniel Jones just wondering what is the hold up. I was not able to confirm any payment thru get my payment portal IRS. I SEE OUR COMMISSIONER insured us our eligibility and communication to IRS for supplemental income receiver’s that IRS is notifyed of our economic impact payments but dates still are not provided. What s shame 😟😟😟
Carol F.
Neither my husband nor I have received the stimulus money. We both have direct deposit and are on Social Security. Under the Trump administration we both received our payments immediately. Under the Biden Administration, nothing. We are Republicans and maybe that is why we have no payment.
Jennifer J.
I’m a semi-Liberal Democrat and haven’t received my payment, either!
John S.
It’s not Biden’s fault, it’s the fact that Trump appointee Andrew Saul wants to make SSA look incompetent and blame it on the Biden administration. Trump appointed Saul because Saul wants to dismantle SSA, he doesn’t care about a single one of you, Republican or Democrat.
Jeff B.
What were they able to get the other checks out (the second check was sent in a matter of days)but not on this one. And why did it take so long for the IRS To say that is the hold up both are to blame
Racheal B.
I still have not received my 1400$ stimulus check
Donnatella M.
Mr. Saul, I have no doubt many SSA employees have been “tirelessly” working to get the latest stimulus monies to your clients, the disabled and Senior citizens of this country, but it seems you, sir, have intentionally drug your feet since Biden took office. If not for a highly publicized letter yesterday to you by Rep. Neal of Massachusetts, you would never have posted this update about SSI/SSDI stimulus monies on this blog. The delay of these monies, Mr. Saul, is a clear example of political partisanship at the sacrifice of your agency’s clientele, American’s who were already financially struggling before the pandemic. The postponement of their fair share of stimulus dollars is on your watch and your TOTAL responsibility, Mr. Saul. That you can take full credit for. I hope it wakes you up in the middle of the night realizing you have done nothing for SSI/SSDI recipients since the bill was signed 14 days ago. Shameful, just shameful, Mr. Saul.
Jennifer W.
Thank you for your hard work. I got my third pandemic economic hardship check within hours. Then again, I appreciate your dedication and efforts.
Beverly K.
I just want to say Thank You to each and everyone of you that has worked so hard to make sure that the people that are on SSA , SSI, or on SSDI are not left out l myself really do appreciate all that you have done spending long hours to make sure that we were not left out on the third stimulus check for us every little bit helps again Thank You and God Bless
Jeff B.
It’s our government, that is disorganized quick to point the finger at someone else.no one takes responsibility for anything. And 51% of American workers make less than 30k a year..And our elected officials make an average of 150k a year, they don’t know what it is like to live paycheck to paycheck.
Michael S.
Blow it out your ass Beverly.