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)
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Fahmi N.
Interfacing with IRS to facilitate EIP direct deposits for Social Security recepients is a welcome step. I understand it is not as easy to do as some people may think. I receive benefits from Social Security, my 1st and 2nd EIP were sent by mail in window envelopes, kind of risky to say the least. Per IRS get my payment tool, I am told that my 3rd payment will be deposited on the 24th of March into an account I did not recognize. I assume it has to do with Soc. Sec. As of today I have not received my payment into the account where I receive soc. sec. monthly payments.
V.V.
Hi Fahmi, thanks for using our blog. The IRS announced on March 30 that it will begin to issue economic impact payments (EIP) this weekend to Social Security and SSI recipients who do not normally file a tax return. The majority of EIPs will be paid through direct deposit and to existing Direct Express cards, and should be received on April 7. We are waiting for information from the IRS about timing for people who will receive their EIP by mail. Check out our Social Security and Coronavirus web page for more details. We hope this helps.
Maxwell B.
Hello, I have been checking the getmypayment.com and still there is no information available? My question has to do with Andrew Sauls blog. I”m on Social Security. I retired from my job. I did get the last stimulas check, direct deposit. I did not have to file taxes. Am I quallified for stimulas check due to the fact I did not file 10-99 form this time around? In one voice the blog by Mr.Saul states how hard SSA have been working to get the forms 10-99 to the IRS for people getting SSI! Further down the page it seems to include Social Security recipents? Because I have not receive no check as of to date, my concern is am I suppoed to file 10-99 myself or is SSA including Social Security recipients along with SSI recipients files to be sent to IRS?
Thank you
V.V.
Hi Maxwell, thanks for using our blog. The IRS announced on March 30 that it will begin to issue economic impact payments (EIP) this weekend to Social Security and SSI recipients who do not normally file a tax return. The majority of EIPs will be paid through direct deposit and to existing Direct Express cards, and should be received on April 7. We are waiting for information from the IRS about timing for people who will receive their EIP by mail. Check out our Social Security and Coronavirus web page for more details. We hope this helps.
Megan S.
I’m the Representative Payee for a family members SSDI benefits, and well from the sound of things I’m going to have to say that my family member must be one of the lucky ones. They received the 1st stimulus pymt during the 1st wk of May direct deposited into their bank account, second on was received New Year’s weekend also direct deposited and this 3rd one on March 17th also direct deposited. They’re a non tax filer and did nothing to receive their funds. Since its been indicated that SSA recipients of all programs would receive these payments the same as they do their monthly benefits I find it difficult to understand why so many people are complaining about the way they receive their funds as well as the length of time it takes to receive it. SSA is not overseeing the distribution of the stimulus payments, the IRS is. And with each stimulus payment SSA has to weed out those no longer receiving benefits, deceased recipients, verify and update any necessary information and do a final review BEFORE the IRS can be provided the information for those receiving payments. There’s a very strict policy in place which is there to help protect the recipients. If the guidelines are not being followed and monies are sent somewhere or to someone else in error everyone will start complaining about that. So now that SSA and IRS are complying with the policy in place which again is there to help protect the recipients everyone’s complaining about that and the time it takes to get the job done and done right. These SSA and IRS employees are not robots who just spit out whatever whenever, they’re human beings just following procedures. Geez, if what people are claiming is true about being treated rudely by an employee, I can truly see as to why. This is an extra payment you WOULD NOT normally be receiving and yes it’s nice to get the extra help so by God people why not show some gratitude instead of disrespect. Appreciate what extra you get and when you get it. Everyone just sounds greedy. What on Earth would you be doing if we weren’t getting these extra funds? You’ve survived up until now, I’m sure you’d continue on surviving. Rudeness and disrespect won’t get you these payments any faster. Just be grateful!
God Bless
Fahmi N.
Interfaci g with IRS to facilitate EIP direct deposits for Social Security recepients is a welcome step. I understand it is not as easy to do as some people may think. I receive benefits from Social Security, my 1st and 2nd EIP were sent by mail in window envelopes, kind of risky to say the least. Per IRS get my payment tool, I am told that my 3rd payment will be deposited on the 24th of March into an account I did not recognize. I assume it has to do with Soc. Sec. As of today I have not received my payment into the account where I receive soc. sec. monthly payments.
Jose C.
Should we elect to place the Stimulus Payment in a CD form and it equals more than 3G’s, would it be counted against us as a resource? CD’S come in 12-18-24 months increments.
V.V.
Hi Jose, thanks for using our blog. If you receive Supplemental Security Income, your economic impact payment does not count as income. And we will not count the payment as a resource for 12 months. If you’re receiving Social Security benefits, your income and assets do not affect the benefits.
Laura
Well that was just an article of a bunch of excuses so are “we” the people who are on ssi ssid veterans retirees etc. Going to get a stimulus payment if so i want to know when and none of this b.s. about the end of the year i mean the government has been sending payments to prison inmates who definately in my opinion dont qualify for a stimulus so why is that we are the ones suffering THE ONLY ONES !!??!!
Ellie H.
Ellie h. ,have yet to receive any stimulus checks Am on social security for 30 years
Jose F.
Excelente trabajo. Keep up the good work.
Shenita H.
I have been trying to understand the concept of the stimulus plan. Do I still get my regular benefits and the stimulus?
V.V.
Hi Shenita, thanks for using our blog. You can find the latest information available from the IRS at https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus-tax-relief-and-economic-impact-payments. If you don’t see the answer to your question, you can call the IRS’ payment hotline at 1-800-919-9835.
The IRS, not Social Security, sends all economic impact payments. Unfortunately, our telephone representatives and social media team cannot answer your specific situation about payments.
Lisa
Yes.. you will get both.
David
You’ll be lucky to get any thing from these idiot’s.
Saul t.
Saul needs to resign probly won’t be any check shullda been here 3wweks ago y son of a bitch now there saying of we even get one itl be at end of year shame on joe to for not replacing saul it started wanting his release. In Jan earlier.i had no idea he was put in by. Trump to not only screw us on eip but ultimately shut down ssa all I hear is horse shit talk about bout saul being fired and trump being in court and its ironic but saul and trump left in trump’s jet to kissisme florida for I heard there into human torture and smelling ladies farts and eating there tampons. I guess a vid coming out soon will show this. It’s already torture on B’s check and by way it’s not there fukkin money it’s ours
LeeAnna C.
Nasty.