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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Reason
Guys they don’t care about us and won’t help. We got left out because the SSA screwed up and the IRS doesn’t even want us to get money. They’re greedy selfish government entities. No one will answer us no one will fix the mistake of millions being left out of the April 7th payment. We’re on our own they want us to die.
Edith W.
Is stimulus payment subject to back child care payments?
V.V.
Hi Edith, thanks for using our blog. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), not Social Security, issues the Economic Income Payments. Social Security cannot answer EIP questions about your specific situation. 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.
Alfredo S.
HI, I was expecting my EIP on the 7th and no DD to my account. Just wondering when will I receive it. I received my first and second EIP in acceptable timing and now I am worried that something might have happened to my information with IRS/Treasury. Still hopeful!
Tara K.
I have Direct Express and still no stimulus payment and no information on the IRS Get my Payment site.
Makeecha p.
I still have no direct deposit to my direct express card an it passed the 7 th of April an on my get payment with irs said I would get my direct payment on March 17th an I waited an I have called them an direct express an no one can answer it will hang you up never get thru so how am I going to let any one know I have not got my payment like they said 17 an on 7 an have no payment an can’t get no update on irs because they haven’t updated my get payment every day like they say they do so what do I do
Anarky
Here we are the date promised and nothing. No DD, status not available on the IRS tool. Called my bank was told they have no pending transactions for me for 2 weeks into the future so not getting mine for whatever reason. Nothing has changed I’ve been at the same address my entire life, same bank account as I’ve only ever had one. Get my regular SSI payments no problem. Received the first two stimulus payments to my bank account without issue so what gives? Can’t call the IRS they have an automated message that says they aren’t taking calls. Call their EIP number and just get left waiting for hours with no answer. This is a literal war against the poor. While we lose our housing and starve the government officials get fat and laugh watching is die.
Jason C.
I had my first check direct deposited. I changed Banks so will my check be mailed now or what do I need to do.
V.V.
Hi Jason, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to sign up or change direct deposit. We hope this helps!
Paul A.
Another scam by the government trying to control us, and knowing the people need this money just to pay for one month of bills while the other 12 months still need to be addressed, I need the money, nothing changed ! And this is not working for Americans hopefully we will learn from this and maybe use Cancel culture to cancel out this administration, I’m wondering how people feel voting this way and this is what they get.
Aida R.
I recieved first two stimulus checks on my Direct Express Card. Am I going to recieve the third check on Direct Express Card? Thank you so much for this site. It is very informative and helpful. Thank you to all Social Security Administration Employees.
V.V.
Hi Aida, thanks for using our blog. The IRS announced on March 30 that it will begin to issue economic impact payments (EIP) 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.
Diana
We always file our taxes every year. Already received federal and state refund. Why have we Not received our EIP payment???
jose m.
I would like to know why I received the first two stimulus checks but upon using the get my payment site it is saying my information doesn’t match the IRS information. Nothing has changed in my information and had no problem getting the first two checks
James B.
That happened to me too Jose. Just like what you said. My bank told me to check my account on Wednesday April 7th to see if I get my stimulus payment. Maybe they know something.
Diana
I checked my account today the 7th. NOTHING!!!
We got our first 2 quickly, nothing as of yet, NO answers I inquired to where about of this payment?
Anarky
Same here bank said nothing pending either and get this IF we were to receive paper checks in the mail most banks are refusing to cash them the teller told me.
Denise G.
I would like to no what’s going on with my stimulus check? The administration said you turn everything in . I am on Sadi and didn’t receive my check on April 7. The system isn’t being updated like you said you did.
John R.
John I am on social security and I check my account on 4 – 7 and I did not get my 3rd stimulus check and I got the frist too on time I check the irs tool and still no information on my stimulus deposit
V.V.
Hi Jose, thanks for using our blog. The IRS announced on March 30 that it will begin to issue economic impact payments (EIP) 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.
Robbie S.
I want to know if anyone else thinks that these are delay tactics by Trump appointees at IRS and SSA? Does anyone else think that this is an Attempt to make the Biden administration look bad? Does Anyone else think that they are continuing the Trump destruction and dismantling of these agencies? Does anyone else think this is strange, delaying the Stimulus checks of the groups of recipients with a whole lot of Votes?
James W.
Yes the commissioner of Ssa is at fault wouldn’t send information to the IRS for people on ss he should be fine & fire
Mary R.
Thank you James, I agree he should be fired and fined. Unfortunately, don’t think that will happen.
Mary R.
Get over your self Robbie, trying to throw in some outlandish foolish statements. There is so much confusion in the system, which has nothing to do with the previous administration. The social security system is a confused mess. Have you ever tried to call the SSA office or the IRS? If you are able to reach a live person, many times they are not very polite. If you have received the first two EIP checks via mail or direct deposit, you will get the 3rd EIP check. The first EIP check should have been $1,200, second EIP check should have been $600, this was with the previous administration. Even the delay then was due to the idiots in congress fighting over what they want. We will get the third EIP check when they get what they want. It is called (money greed) by the ones who we have to pay to get our money which are the ones who make and try to change the rules constantly! Hope this helps you to understand how it works.
Milagros E.
I am a disabled individual that suffers from auto immune system illness. I get disability; however I never received the second stimulus neither the last. I have being diagnosed with schizophrenia and mild dimentia. I need to pay for medical bills. Please help.
V.V.
Hi Milagros, 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.