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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Amanda W.
I was wanting an idea when I should receive third stimulus to my direct express card. I am really in need.
David L.
Where’s is my third stimulus at ? I received 1st and 2nd no problem same bank account same everything nothing changed so why is it so complicated ? Somebody needs to get off there behind and push whatever button and get that $$$ to people that need it . Thanks have a great day ……
Willodean B.
I also havent received any updates when I get mine impact payment on my direct express account I’m a retired person can you tell me where I get a reward letter for my disabled son I’m his payee do I write the main office
V.V.
Hi Willodean, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to get a benefit verification letter for your son, if you are your son’s representative payee. This letter is sometimes called a budget letter, a benefits letter, a proof of income letter or a proof of award letter. Visit or Representative Payee Portal web page for more details.
If you are unable to conduct the business online, call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Leo K.
I now you biden would help
Laura H.
I think this is totally ridiculous answer. You sent us first and second stimulus checks with no problems. It was the end of December when I got the second stimulus check. Count how many months up into this month,3!
So what changed in less then 3 months that all of a sudden there is a problem for all of us on federal funding who are the poorest? It makes no sense at all. Lame excuses.
Ann B.
“On Wednesday, March 24, House Democrats Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-NJ), Richard Neal (D-MA), John Larson (D-CT), and Danny Davis (D-IL), members of the Ways and Means Committee, sent a letter to Social Security Administration commissioner Andrew Saul, complete with an ultimatum. According to the letter, nearly 30 million Social Security and Supplemental Security Income recipients, some of the country’s poorest and neediest people, were being prevented from receiving their $1,400 stimulus checks from the American Rescue Plan, because Saul was refusing to send the necessary payment files to the IRS.”
REAL NICE!!
It’s YOUR fault Andrew Saul! Don’t try to act like you don’t have anything to do with the hold on our money! It has EVERYTHING to do with You!
WHY?
Gina
Sir, as a beneficiary I can assure you what you have done to the poorest most vulnerable people in this country is Unexceptable. You failed to care for us, and thought nothing of it. Ironically had no problem under the last administration to do your job. Your fully responsible and now your going to make us wait even longer as punishment? I couldn’t get lifesaving meds for months, when I finally started the usps was 22 days late I hold DEJOY responsible for messing up pa mail that still is messed up. Therefore Sir, you should step down and be held accountable
Thelma Y.
The second payment came quickly, however, the first payment I believe I must have been one of the final payments sent out, as it might be the same case with this third time.
I do believe though, that the it is not done intentionally, it is just that there a few million payments to be issued, I have faith, it will come.
nono
where are ssi/ and ssd receipiants stimulus checks ???????????
Grand M.
In EVERY Political and / or Political Game you and Trump continue to play, we many of us HAVE received Benefits before you and Trump take them. Office, How Dare You Play American Life, Besides Getting Fired, You Need To Punch You In The Face At Random.
Bandar MPO