COVID-19, General

New Guidance about COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments

April 10, 2020 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: February 21, 2023

“The Treasury Department launched a new web tool allowing quick registration for Economic Impact Payments for eligible individuals who do not normally file a tax return, and also announced that it would begin making automatic payments.  However, for some people receiving benefits from the Social Security Administration—specifically those who have dependent children under the age of 17—it is to their advantage to go to this portal to ensure they also get the $500 per dependent Economic Impact Payment.  I encourage them to do this as soon as possible, and want to provide the following details:

People who receive Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability insurance benefits and who did not file a tax return for 2018 or 2019 and who have qualifying children under age 17 should now go to the IRS’s webpage to enter their information instead of waiting for their automatic $1,200 Economic Impact Payment.  By taking proactive steps to enter information on the IRS website about them and their qualifying children, they will also receive the $500 per dependent child payment in addition to their $1,200 individual payment.  If Social Security beneficiaries in this group do not provide their information to the IRS soon, they will have to wait to receive their $500 per qualifying child.

The same new guidance also applies to SSI recipients, especially those who have qualifying children under age 17.  To receive the full amount of the Economic Impact Payments you and your family are eligible for, go to the IRS’s Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info page and provide information about yourself and your qualifying children.

Additionally, any new beneficiaries since January 1, 2020, of either Social Security or SSI benefits, who did not file a tax return for 2018 or 2019, will also need to go to the IRS’s Non-Filers website to enter their information.

Lastly, for Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability beneficiaries who do not have qualifying children under age 17, you do not need to take any action with the IRS.  You will automatically receive your $1,200 economic impact payment directly from the IRS as long as you received an SSA-1099 for 2019.

For SSI recipients who do not have qualifying children under age 17, we continue to work closely with Treasury in our efforts to make these payments automatically.  Please note that we will not consider Economic Impact Payments as income for SSI recipients.

The eligibility requirements and other information about the Economic Impact Payments can be found at the IRS’s Coronavirus Tax Relief and Economic Impact Payments page.  In addition, please continue to visit the IRS for the latest information.”

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About the Author

Andrew Saul, Commissioner, Social Security Administration

Commissioner of Social Security Administration (June 17, 2019 - July 9, 2021)

Comments

  1. Janet M.

    My husband and I both receive Social Security payments because we are over 65. I received the stimulus money on April 28 but my husband did not. We both have our checks direct deposited to the same checking account so I don’t really understand why his wasn’t deposited with mine.

  2. Joseph

    Same thing here. SSI recipient with direct deposit into my bank account. I received my monthly SSI check on the 1st but no stimulus yet. When I use the IRS’s “track my payment” tool, I get the “payment status not available” message. WTF is the problem?

  3. Sandra K.

    My sister is in a nursing home and only receives 30 dollars a month, direct deposit. She is on SSI and the nursing home gets everything else. will she get an incentive check?

    • V.V.

      Hi Sandra, thank you for your question. Please visit the IRS Economic Impact Payments Information Center to answer your questions about eligibility, payment amounts, what to expect, when to expect it and more. Hope this helps!

  4. DENIECE O.

    Hello I have a question I am a payee for someone on social security and I receive there monthly payments on the direct Express card.The card is under my name and social security number so the relief fund money that suppose to be put on the card through direct deposit who would it belong to me or the person I’m a payee for

    • V.V.

      Hi Deniece, thanks for using our blog to ask your questions. The Economic Impact Payment (EIP) belongs to the Social Security or SSI beneficiary. It is not a Social Security or SSI benefit. A representative payee should discuss the EIP with the beneficiary. If the beneficiary wants to use the EIP independently, the representative payee should provide the EIP to the beneficiary. If the beneficiary asks the representative payee for assistance in using the EIP in a specific manner or saving it, the representative payee can provide that assistance outside the role of a representative payee. We hope this helps.

  5. Edith K.

    My husband receives SS payments. We both received 1200.00 payment. We did not receive payment for our 2 grandchildren that we have full legal guardianship of, who are 5 and 6 years old, and have always claimed them on our taxes. We have never not filed. How do you go about getting information about receiving the 500.00 for each child. Thank you for your time…I know how busy things are for you right now. Thank you again.

  6. Susan J.

    im on social security disability with no dependants with direct deposit and I have not seen my check either

    • Mack

      Same here

  7. Katherine T.

    I get SSDI and have tried all the tricks and advice the SSA and other readers have offered. I receive my benefits via Direct express debt card and STILL haven’t received mine. So what gives IRS SSA and direct express between the 3 agencies you’d think someone would have an answer

  8. Cheri J.

    My son receives ss disibility, and his checks go direct deposit. He still has not received his stimulas payment. Tried the its web page get my payment, to no avail… keeps saying status not available, I check everyday. My son is 27, and is not claimed on anyone’s taxes. I don’t know what to do. Can someone help me? Thank you

  9. Peter

    Its the i r s who messed up. The i r s and post office are alike over paid and cant do there jobs , its about what they make and not how they cant even do there jobs correctly, and they know it.. Simply stupid no common sense , all have lack of caring, of what they do.. Union protects stupid people.,

    • Susan J.

      I am on social security disability. with direct deposit and no children and still have not recieved my check

      • Cathy

        Me either , let me know if you find something out

        • Darlene

          Same here

          • Mack R.

            Me either and it’s getting frustrating. The IRS get May payment just keeps telling me status not available.

  10. Melissa

    My boyfriend receive SSA disability benefits our children also receive the benefits every month but I am the payee for the children and I receive the payment every month on a different card so who would get the 500 per child benefits would it go on his card or my card?

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