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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Danny
Still waiting for IRS to communicate with SS so that I can receive the first portion and second portion of my stimulus check. All forms were submitted on time or before deadline date.
MICHAEL J.
CBS News and others are reporting that, despite being asked weeks ago to do so, SSA has not provided to IRS the necessary bank account information for SSA and SSI recipients.
I am wondering why this is, and what you are doing about it. Boiler plate about how much you care about SSA account holders falls flat in the face of such incompetence.
Katherine F.
I truly appreciate this update, as I have been completely in the dark as to why I have not received this latest EIP payment nor why it has been delayed nor when to expect it. The IRS “Get My Payment” tool not only provides no information to date, it also creates unnecessary anxiety, since one of the messages states, “you may not be eligible…” Since my previous payments seemed to be “direct deposited” into my bank account very quickly, I have been quite concerned about the unexplained delay and the misleading explanation.
While the information provided by you may explain why I have not yet received my EIP payment, it does not address when I can expect to receive it. This blog seems to be geared towards SSI recipients, not necessarily towards those people, who receive SSA retirement or disability income. I hope to see my payment within the next few days, but I would appreciate more information about the timing of delivery of all SSA information to the IRS.
FELIX V.
I have been staying in Panama City, Panama for the past 6 years. I have never received my EIP in spite the fact that I have my SS benefits to my Account at Banco General in Panama City, Panama. I would appreciate everything the agency could do in order that all US citizens living overseas receive EIPs by Direct Deposit to my bank account especially.
James M.
The last one came fast as heck. I need this one and don’t see any sign of it. Not even on your site Where’s My Payment. Need it now.
Hattie B.
The stimulus for us Seniors are desperately needed…
DARLEEN B.
So when our delivery date
Keith T.
Hi on March 24th I know of a few people that received there stimulus check on there direct express card. And then myself and a few other people I know received nothing on our direct Express card. Why? And all us that did not receive it did get the first two stimulus checks on our direct express card
Patricia j.
Well I’m o. SSI and I need my money asap!! My friends and family members got theres on the 12thand the 17th. My direct expres card says it will be several more weeks. Why wasnt this fixedbefore the idiot president signed the bill??? So as of today no money yet!!! when?????
AlexisA M.
I appreciate the job that SSA does! It is no mean feat to manage the millions of people who depend upon federal government benefits.I also understand that if IRS didn’t provide funding for the stimulus underpinnings that SSA needed, I can see why recipients have not received the $1400 they expected. I, too, have awaited the stimulus package,and am glad ADA spoke about the delay!
LeeAnna C.
I agree.I know they work hard also.I don’t understand people who aren’t grateful or who feel entitled!