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.
Did you find this Information helpful?
Tags: American Rescue Plan, Commissioner, Economic Impact Payments, social security, SSI
See CommentsAbout the Author
Andrew Saul, Commissioner, Social Security Administration
Commissioner of Social Security Administration (June 17, 2019 - July 9, 2021)
Comments
Comments are closed.
albert l.
how does that happen I got the first check back in i think early or late june or early july and the second check with in days now your saying that the irs and treasury dept did not have the information to send these checks a lot quicker to us this does not make sense to me but what ever I am not complaining from what i have read in the last two days my ssdi paydate that is when the third stimulus is suppose to come also so thank you for your hard work and THANK YOU
Norma
Thank you commissioner for you’re dedication, and service..
Suzanne E.
Sounds a bit confusing guess the bottom line is when will I get my check
Marvinia
Thank you Social Security employees and your commitment is very much appreciated! 👍
Timothy R.
It should have worked in reverse for all 3 rounds of the EIPs. SSA should’ve compiled a list or roster of all legal recipients came with a whole dollar amnt that the IRS should’ve then been able to send via wire transfer to be distributed by the SSA to beneficiaries accts. Any overruns would then be returned to the Treasury after an audit was performed. But the simple common sense way is never feasable for gov’t beuracracy. Seeing as how I can’t even deposit money on my DE card how can the IRS? But I’m sure there’s a beauratic red tape that says it’s just not done like that. Why? Like Mom said”Because I said so..” Peace
Sherry G.
So when will our impact payment for social security get processed?
Diarmuid O.
Thank you so much for this latest communication and thank you to all Government / Public Sector employees for your commitment to providing outstanding service to the public. I appreciate you all.
Alfredo S.
I appreciate very much what SSA is doing for the benefit of the retired community. It’s very assuring every update we get about the EIP and gives us hope for this times of need. Thank you very much commissioner Saul!
Jerry O.
I received my first payment on time, however I’m still waiting for the second. I’m a Veteran, retired and was on SSDI until I turned that golden age. Now just straight Soc. Sec. and that is keeping above water. My house is paid off as are the vehicles… doesn’t mean I don’t need money. I meet all…ALL… requirements.. please advise.
susan e.
yo soy beneficiaria del SSA. soy ciudadana americana. soy desabilitada.. ciega de un ojo y parcialmente del otro… vivo en Mexico..mis beneficios los depositan a una cuenta bancaria mexicana… usaran esa cuenta para depositar mi EIP… o como recibire el tercer apoyo..y que hay del primero de 1.200 dls.. que nunca recibi.. tengo que hacer taxes para recuperarlo?….yo.no estoy obligada a hacerlas pues recibo 350. dolares al mes…
…muchas gracias agradezco mas informacion…