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
See CommentsAbout the Author
Andrew Saul, Commissioner, Social Security Administration
Commissioner of Social Security Administration (June 17, 2019 - July 9, 2021)
Comments
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anono
where is my fucking stimulus check!!!!!!! im on ssi and i havent receive my stimulus check yet
Bandar M.
Bandar MPO Want to say, Thankyou!
James H.
I agree with Pam Barnett
JANET T.
All lies
Janet M.
I want my stimulus money from the second and third stimulus package. I also want my pension funds that I was awarded from my divorce in 2016
Until the present. And the “12,000 stolen by the senior management in council bluffs Iowa. I want my money and I am not being discriminated against because of my color or that I’m poor white disabled elderly woman who is 61 and I want my money now. Its mine and not social security or the IRS. Please send it in one lump sum. $764 a month will not get me a home its been 6-7 years now I am tired of the government agencies excuses
Its already been awarded to me stop wasting my time with your stupid excuses and send me all every penny that is owed to me. The government agencies are a crock and crooked stip saying you care about the American people when you could care less about them HOMELESS and the government is all about the rich and corrupt corporate who are fraudulent and the prisoners who steal identity theft from others and get better health benefits 3 meals day and have a roof over there head first to get shots. You are all a bunch of hypocrites passing the buck to another government agency. Liars and the government agencies don’t care about the American people. I want my money now second stimulus third stimulus and my pension funds from 2016 to the present and my rights to my pension funds also considered as a property settlement in Iowa by a judge who ordered it. A judge ordered it you are to respect the judge ordered don’t matter what judge and where at. Do not forget to send me every penny with interest and it’s my rights and my money not the government agencies. I’m a victim of crime identity theft is the worst thing ever no money for that either
The government agencies are fraudulent and I should have received my request for my pension funds and social security benefits and stimulus money already I refused to go paperless because I want a paper check for my pension funds to have proof of my money my life my civil rights and my money now
J. L.
I received IRS Letter stating I would be receiving a EIP2 deposit. My question is, was I to have already received an EIP1?
warren i.
I’m on supplement social security and still no third stimulus check deposited in my account
Ann T.
Social Security Recipients have not received the 1400. you state due to IRS not having info. However there was no problem with the first two payments, so this excuse makes no sense at all. When will we who contributed for over 45 years receive our much needed stimulus?
Ann B.
Because Andrew Saul never released our information to the IRS! That’s why! He had to be forced by the democrats!
Catherine L.
I agree, why now??
Marti R.
As there wasn’t anything at all inappropriate in my comment, why didn’t it post?
James L.
To whom it may concern
I just want to put it out there as of this week I still haven’t received my 3rd stimulus payment as I’m on SSI an I’ve been checking not only the IRS an also my direct express card where I’ve gotten my both my stimulus checks. I would like it just like others to find out when we will be getting this 3rd check seeing how all of us are in desperate need of these checks seeing how it’s getting close for us to be paying our monthly bills. So can we please try an find out at least a time line or something so we know when we will be finally receiving this payment we are all are eligible to be receiving seeing how we are the most venerable to have this even though most of dont work that collect help . Thanks for hearing me out
Stephanie B.
SSA:
I am an SSDI recipient and, as of today, I have yet to receive my 3rd stimulus check direct deposited into my account. Nothing has changed. I received my second stimulus direct deposited into my bank account immediately. Why is there now a problem? We still have no dates letting us know when we will be receiving our third stimulus. Also, when you sent the IRS the information they needed in order for Social Security recepients to receive their direct deposit for the third stimulus check, did you also send the IRS the SSA-1099 for the people who collect SSDI? This makes no sense bc they had my same info when I was issued the first and second stimulus, why is there a problem with the third stimulus check?
Ronnie L.
Same here and my sentiments exactly! Spot on Stephanie!
Mary T.
Nothing makes sense , all we can do is be patient an sooner then later we will get it. There are many that didn’t get either in a timely manor but we did on the 1st an 2nd… so be thankful for that before you know it it will be here. We should be thankful we get something an not be upset cause the third one isn’t here yet. Patients is virtu !
Leo K.
I now you biden would help
Debbie B.
I’m on ssi got both my stimulus on my direct express card ..but nothing for the 3rd stimulus. On my card I would like to know when it will be on there..live in iowa
Maggie m.
I have not got any of my stumlus check I have not got stumlus 1-3 none of them
May W.
Sir:
I have the same situation that I do not receive the third time EIP? I have already received the first and second time stimulate payment, but why cannot receive the third time EIP? Who pay the EIP – IRS or SSA?
SSA should have my information that my bank account’s checking and posting account numbers on my every year’s tax refund 1040 forms, why cannot deposit the EIP into my checking account directly?
Would you tell me what information you want to know before send me the EIP? And when can I receive the EIP?
Thank you !
Laura H.
Exactly. It makes no sense at all. I got the second stimulus check immediately and the first one a week later,so what is the real problem?
Annie
Im the exact same as you and I got nothing yet it is so fustrating it was good last 2 times what happened?? It’s bull. I’m getting sick of this country and The lying stealing people that run it
Sandy w.
I have see the 3rd stimulus check i believe it when i see it and my parents are the same way they believe it when they see it in there account also by wednesday or before wednesday
Thomas P.
What is going on ? I’m a retired vetren who is handicapped. No 3rd stimulus check. I guess felons are more important to these idiot liberals than a GI’s.
LTDE
I’m in the same situation. Today is Monday, March 29th and STILL NO Direct Deposit. I am beyond frustrated.
I reached out to my Congressman’s office in Connecticut.
They actually called me back!
I was shocked!
They told me to sign up for a live town hall telephone session for more information to be discussed regarding SSDI Beneficiaries still not receiving their stimulus checks.
Congressman John Larson said, “We [SSDI Beneficiaries] “should” get stimulus $1,400 checks in a few days, now that SSA has sent the details of Social Security Beneficiaries’ information over to the IRS electronically. BUT, still no date on when the money will go out.”
He said that in a live town hall meeting on Friday afternoon, March 26th.
I checked my mail and my bank account just now, and Still Nothing!!!!
I’m going to call the Congressman’s office again now.
Yada C.
I am also on SSDI, as of today 3/29/01 the “get my payment” tool has NOTHING FOR ME. I get my benefits through direct deposit into the same account that I have for YEARS, the first 2 stimulus payments came through without a problem. We ALL KNOW that living on SSDI well qualifies us for the payment automatically, hell we cannot afford to live in a NORMAL economy, much less in a price gauged shop online world! Why doesn’t the SSA have an advocate to help US OUT?