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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Starving
So what does that tell me??? You still didn’t give a date to expect any stimulus. You’re just trying to justify what has happened and put the blame on someone else.
Dean M.
And because of his Lateness of sending this info We will not be paid for several more weeks, Thanks Saul,Not.
Michelle P.
As of 3/27/21 I have yet to receive my stimulus check of $1,400. My only income is SSDI.
I need that help. I received the $600. Almost immediately. What I the problem!! Fix it!
Tammy E.
so do we get the 3rd stimulus people on ssi social secretary and beneficiarie we got the 1200 and 600 were is the 1400 hundred
Robin G.
I have been trying to find out about my $1400 now for about a week I just got out of the hospital I had half my stomach take Lock I said I got the 1st 2 with no problem none of my information has changed in the last day years I cannot progress what the problem means so please get it straight now God-bless you
Stephanie B.
Michelle:
Hello, I am reaching out to you because I want you to know that my situation is EXACTLY the same as yours. My only income is SSDI. As of today, March 28, 2021, I have yet to receive my third stimulus ($1400). I have no new dependents and my direct deposit and address has not changed. I, too, received my 2nd stimulus direct payment ($600) deposited into my bank account immediately. As a matter of fact, it was so quick that I didn’t even realize the payments were issued yet. I found out while watching the morning news that day. I heard them say, many people will be waking up with their stimulus check in their accounts. After I heard that, I checked my phone and sure enough, I had a text alerting me from my bank that showed the direct deposit of $600. I received it the first day. So, as you said, what is the problem? I am now worried that we are going to have a problem receiving ours very late bc while I was reading this article above, it said that the SSA issued the IRS the info they needed so Social Security recepients that don’t receive an SSA-1099 will be able to receive their stimulus payments without an issue. This got me thinking bc SSDI recipients receive an SSA-1099, meaning that the IRS has our info already. We received our 2nd stimulus checks at the end of December, 2020 so why are we not receiving our stimulus direct deposits just as quickly. It is only 3 months later. I am becoming very irritable, inpatient, especially bc every article I read, they still have no idea when we are receiving our 3rd stimulus.
Kenneth k.
This is Bidens fault
The Boston prisoners got paid got my last 2 stimulus money fast under Trump
John s.
If you think this is bidens fault your trumps little bitch
PO'd S.
Why is Mr. Saul still employed? He is a Trumper and cares nothing for the 30 million people still waiting for their stimulus payments. I hope he will need to live on $10,000.00 per year someday!!!
Kevin
You got your first two checks on time and trump was president way the bitch about saul being a trumper if you dumbass bidinets were so full of yourself you would see your on party has thrown a monkey wrench into the
System.
Ashley
I want my fukin 1400 dude i need that money like y havent we gotten it yet!!!!
Mr A.
Well, at you got your money. I mean the whole statement by Saul is:
“waaaah waaaahh we didn’t get any money from the rescue plan. If we don’t get money, we won’t help our people get their money.” And then further on down in the article: “we’re very proud of ourselves for bullying the IRS into giving us some of their money” GTFO, you’re hot trash!
Rob
saul stalled the process to give lawyers and debt collectors time to file seizures and garnishments for these payments to feather his and cronies pockets. someone should check his personal financial interest in doing so !
Shirlyn J.
That’s penning the tail right on the ass there statement. This waiting, an waiting is bullshit.
Laura D.
I have a question, I am on ssid and have 2 dependents but I am not required to file a tax return. So, how is the irs supposed to know how much to send me??? It should be $1400 for each one of us but did the SSA send the correct information to the irs?
Is this why your people have been working day and night? To provide the irs with the CORRECT NUMBER OF DEPENDENTS I HAVE SO MY CHECK IS COMPLETE WHEN I GET IT????
Joyce A.
You not required to file if just yourself, but with dependants you can file.
Kristin P.
I spent money I didn’t have getting my car fixed thinking that I was going to get a covid-19 check… Now I don’t have enough for my mortgage… Cuz you guys have been waffling and you told us since last year that we were going to get it… I owe everybody money and everybody is mad at me and I am depressed and can’t see hope
Kristen
Im so sorry. I feel ypur pain. Hang in there. Were gonna get it soon.
School
Saul must be removed. And also they delete my comments that laid saul whole plan out
Pastor A.
I sued Saul two years ago for $150 million for misappropriation of my grandson funds for survivor benefits, suit is still going, they want to dismiss it, I want justice.
Saul needs to be removed ASAP.
Concerned
Saul needs to be fired trump’s right hand man purposely witheld files and flat till talks of riots we’re brought to congress was forced to by law. Our senate. And still is dickin us all to make biden look bad. He needs to resign or legally removed
René W.
We got our EIP under Trump without any delay.. What is wrong with you? Are you 12? Retarded? Alzheimer’s like your idol? Typical Bidenphiles. Zero common sense.
Miss E.
they had the files before the 17th. Although they share the blame… how do I know? because IRS HAD MY BANK INFO THE DAY BEFORE THE 17th. then it disappeared, then the 23rd said something ELSE Now its says it wont mail til the 3rd or after. THEY HAD MY BANK INFO! twice it was listed in gmp. i aM DEEPLY SADDENED AND VERY ANXIOUS ABOUT IT.
Gary C.
Agreed
Cook u.
Fuck you inside troll trump licker
C.M. D.
Since Production files were delivered to IRS on Wednesday, March 25th, what does that mean in terms of those on Social Security?
When will we receive our EIP Payments?
Will the EIP payments be deposited along with our regular SS payments?
Rose h.
Saul and irs are doing this on purpose and Saul needs to be shown the exit. Immigrants and people on welfare got their stimulus before our veterans did and people that once paid taxes before becoming disabled did. The people should be allowed to put a lawsuit against Saul.
Aubreyanna w.
We need our money NOWWWWWWWW…. QUIT PLAYING WITH OUR MONEY
Mel A.
Obscene, disgusting language.
Makes no contribution to discussion.
Should be removed
Mel A.
Cook comment obscene should be removed according to your rules.
Comments like this hinder progress.
Cook u.
Fuck u trumptsrd
Jackie
You need mental health care