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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Michael
WHERE THE FUCK IS OUR MONEY?!!! 3-27 AND STILL NOTHING
YOU PRICKS ARE WAITING FOR THE DAY YOU SEND OUT OUR APRIL CHECKS AREN’T YOU? YOU LAZY FUCKS!
Donna W.
The anger and anxiety you have caused is reprehensible. We (SSI,SSDI, RR and VA) are struggling EVERY DAY. Not just thru pandemic, but every day of the world. We have to survive on very little income, so little, in fact, that we dont have to file taxes. Which means we are just steps away from eating dog food…you would think we would be a priority over people buying the next biggest tv, or the druggies buying their dope. You would think, if you bothered…
MARY L.
SHAME ON YOU FOR THE NEGLIGENT ACTIONS OF NOT KEEPING INFORMATION CURRENT FOR STIMULUS PAYMENTS TO IRS. IT’S NOT LIKE THIS WAS THE FIRST PAYMENT!!!
DOESN’T OFFER A BRIGHT OUTLOOK FOR SS RECIPIENTS ON POSITIVE CHANGES IN THE FUTURE!!!.
ANOTHER GOVERNMENT BLUNDER!!!
Rob D.
This “explanation” from the Trump appointed Saul is not credible. He used Social Security beneficiaries as a political football in an attempt to create political damage to a Democratic president he despises. This is same man who attempted to put in a rule to harm Social Security disability recipients. Biden had to recind it. Contact your senator to say you agree with Sen. Sherrod Brown’s call for Saul to resign or be fired. Contact your representative to say you agree with Rep. Pascale’s call that Saul be fired.
Brina
I still have not received my 3re stimulus what’s the hold up now?this is crazy we Shud of been FIRST!! it’s just sad it really is there were still waiting ugh
James E.
When will we get are stimulus what day
Denise Z.
I am still waiting for my 600. And 1400. I don’t know what the problem is I received my first with no problems. Help
Chris B.
I this people on SSI and SSDI and so forth should have got there checks first . We are the fools that live day by day on a fixed income.
I know other people need the money just as bad especially those with 6 kids and mom and pop both lost their job as well.
I looked back and the last two stimulus checks I received within 9:days of the president I am working on two weeks this time around
Flynn M.
Amen!!!
K f.
Sadly can’t just give us a date
rob
i havent got my check
we need that cash to pay our bills and social security and ect talk about in the next weeks to come
what dont you people understand
now mean today not nect month
next week now means today
get off ur asses and grt it done
now
MARY L.
I AGREE!!!!
Freaking A.
I agree. This is inexcusable in every way. President Joe Biden needs to pull a Trump and tell Andrew Saul, “YOU’RE FIRED!”
I will sit back and laugh, and laugh and laugh…