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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Pam
So really what’s going on tried of all this bullshit and not finding anything out are we r are we not getting a stimulus check I’m on ssdi tired of this crap were just like anybody else who gets one there no better then we are neither are u want a answer
Cathy
When will we receive the extra $200 per month that President Biden promisesd us?
Puck H.
Andrew Saul, The TRUMP APPOINTED FASCIST Commissioner of the
Social Security Administration makes AMERICA GREATER WHEN HE’S INCARCERATED FOR TREASON WITH THE REST OF THE FASCIST G.O.P. IN D.C. YOU’RE GOING TO BE LEFT DESTITUTE AND ON THE STREETS BEGGING FOR CHANGE FROM DISABLED PEOPLE WHEN WE “CANCEL” YOUR ENTIRE EXISTENCE AND IMPRISON YOU FOR TREASON. ENJOY EMPLOYMENT AND YOUR FREEDOM WHILE YOU STILL HAVE IT ANDREW SAUL, YOU DISABLED HATING FASCIST SCUMBAG. YOU WON’T HAVE THEM FOR LONG.
Joe
Lol Trump got our money to us no problem with this guy, Twice! The only thing that changed was Binden and his new team of idiots.
Theresa
I feel this was done on purpose and the ones who need the most was their target and it was a way to get interest for the banks to fund their pockets. Biden should gave them 24 hours to fund our accounts . you would think our accounts would of been funded no later than today. All should be fired there are to many people who are qualifed to do the job so move the dead weight out and hire the ones who want to work and care.
Diana O.
I wish a lawyer would take up our cause a from what I know you can sue people for discrimination and that’s what’s happening, also I know ifv4 people that are brothers ,cousins , boyfriend that are inmates and or prisoners who have already , first out stimulus. These people 2 of witch never worked a day in their lives . But elders and vets worked ,payed into the pockets of government entities to be treated like shit. I bet congress and all others in these agency’s will be first at the line and totally agree alone a pay raise every dang year . With swift actions for their extra money and you can bet all them already got their stimulus money before anybody . I’d bet !!! I want law suits filed . I wish we all could sue this Saul and everybody and take their bank accounts..
Roy S.
The question is simple When will we get our stmulus check?
BOUDREAUX, R.
WHERE’S MY $1400??????? A LONG WAY OF SAYING WE MESSED UP WITHOUT SAYING IT!
WHERE’S MY $1400???????
Mary C.
What dates can SSA beneficiaries expect to receive EIP3? There was no problem receiving the first 2 payments and nothing has changed. Why are seniors being left out?
Stephen D.
When can I expect the third round of stimulus payments? Please email me info.
Laurie S.
You need to get off your asses and give us our money.