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.
Maggie m.
I have not got any of my stumlus check I have not got stumlus 1-3 none of them
John w.
I got evicted cause I was depending on that stimulus of 1400.00 now I’m homeless and I’m on disability and received my 600 no problem in my bank account so you havey info. I don’t understand what the deal is with SSDI SSI AND VETS RAILROAD GETTING THEIR MONEY. Can anyone from IRS riddle me this. I know people on SSDI AND SSI THAT GIT THEIRS THE 17TH SO WHO IS LYING BOUT IRS OR SSA BOUT PROBLEM HAVING OUR INFO. YOU HAD MY FRIENDS SSI INFO CAUSE THEY GOT THEIRS THE 17TH. I GUESS ITS NICE LIVING IN YOUR BIG HOUSES WHILE PEOPLE ON DISABILITY SUFFER CAUSE GOVERNMENT DONT GIVE US SHIT AS IS TO LIVE ON. REMEMBER YOU BIG WIGS THAT RUN SHIT YOU GET PUT IN OFFICE BY US AND YOU CAN BE VOTED OUT.
Tom E.
So I am a senior, on social security, living with my cat in the projects. I am also still waiting for my stimulus check. I am so broke and hungary that my cat is looking really good right now. Please send the money. I’m tired of eating canned lettuce.
Renee J.
Nobody had any issues first two
Checks. Not once had to file anything both where Direct deposited just like my monthly Social Security check is. Now all of a sudden a third stimulus and here we are the poorest of the community being left out. As usual the left-hand blamed the right hand. Doesn’t matter at this point can we just get the checks mailed out give the American people on Social Security and SSID a date already. And somebody needs to clear this up one can read an article and it says no matter if you had direct deposit it with the first two you will need to file taxes and it will go on a card. Then another article says no you don’t have to do anything. Which is it are the checks going to be deposited just like the first tour or Do people on Social Security disability and Social Security need to file a tax form. Or apply for this EIP whatever card. Because if these statements are correct. Then they will be more Americans do not receive a check. It’s just ridiculous it truly is ridiculous but here it is going into April and how long has it been since President Biden signed it and said give her one a check. Come on guys let’s get the ball rolling many of us we’re just like everybody else we have bills to pay and even though you probably consider us the nonworking people. Who normally don’t see extra funds. Which is true but it would be nice to catch up on some existing bills and have a little leftover two of what we already missed spring break with their grandchildren.. If we’re lucky well have a nice Easter would be really nice we did not. But knowing you guys are probably thinking on the lines of well they’re already going to get a check the first and the third of the month. Geez come on guys let’s get this going and stop blaming each side both have failed because their not sent out yet.!
Michel s.
Hello hello we all here waiting on our stimulus check we on benefits didn’t have no problem with the other 2 check before so why this one??? it doesn’t make no sense we gotta go threw this stuggle I got direct deposit with ssi n social security gave irs the missing files so what’s the hold up???? Come on now we need it asap just like the other people got it with no problem it’s not fair cuz we have bills n responsibilitys too smh am upset I shouldn’t be here stressed out waiting on no 1400$ check please read our comments we in need ssi took a over payment from me in March they saying I owe them which I don’t I did a waiver a month ago still nothing in March they sent. Me a 10.00$ check for a whole month this had me so depress mind u am diagnosed with bi Polar / exciety really bad n depression so why do this to me??? Am struggling god n 🙏🙏 helped me focus see y’all need to get these workers to step up on they came cuz they slacking sorry to say
God bless please help us we need this
STIMULUS CHECK ASAP 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯
Joan N.
It’s March 28th & I’ve not received my third stimulus check even though I received the first two by direct deposit as I receive my monthly SS check. I have no idea why there is a delay. It seems from all that I’ve read, I should have received it by now. We’re advised not to call IRS. Who can we notify
That we haven’t received our payment yet?
Hey
When stimulus check coming 1400
Debbie B.
I got both my other stimlus on my direct express but nothing for 3rd one why haven’t we got it yet and no date to when I live in iowa
Gertrudes G.
03/28/2021
My only source of income is my Social Security retirement benefit and non filer of income tax returns. Up to this date I haven’t received my 3rd stimulus payment. Did get the 1st and 2nd ones in no time. Is there anything I should do to expedite receipt of the stimulus?
Yada R.
They will not let us do a thing… You cannot call anyone, they will not provide an advocate (because they screwed up), the IRS phone will not let calls through. NO ONE WILL HELP
Harry E.
My wife and I are in our 70’s and live on our SS checks (ONLY) so when will we get our 3rd stimulus money?????????????