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.”

Did you find this Information helpful?

Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!

Tags: ,

See Comments

About the Author

Andrew Saul, Commissioner, Social Security Administration

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

Comments

  1. Phyllis B.

    are seniors getting an extra ss check in dec 2020 i already received my check dec 3rd but am getting another on dec 31 it said,, is that one for a jan payment?

  2. Martha B.

    My nephew was sentenced to state prison at the age of 18. At age 7 his Grandmother was given custody. Both his parents have died. Grandmother states lost his birth certificate and doesn’t know his know or can’t find any social security card for him. How or am I able to help him get his number?

    Prison counselor says she doesn’t have it and offers no help. He wanted to file for stimulus so hoping to do it next year. Thank you

    • Vonda

      Hi Martha, thanks for using our blog. Your nephew would need to call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or he can contact his local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.

  3. Joetta P.

    I receive ssi disability may I also file for unemployment and collect both at same time with back pay as well? Or is that illegal to do. I would report it to ssi.

    • Vonda

      Hi Joetta, thank you for your question. Thanks for the question. Unemployment benefits do not affect or reduce Social Security retirement and disability benefits. State unemployment compensation payments are not wages because they are paid due to unemployment rather than employment. However, income from Social Security may reduce your unemployment compensation. Contact your state unemployment office for information on how your state applies the reduction.

      If you’re receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), unemployment insurance benefits are considered unearned income. If you, your spouse, or a child living in your household have any income other than your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment, including unemployment insurance benefits, you must tell us.

      To learn more about SSI and how income affects your payment, read What You Need to Know When You Get Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

  4. Patti

    Started receiving Ssdiin February of 2020, Married. However, We met the income guidelines. We filed our 2019 tax return, Married filing Jointly. My husband received $1200 in his account. I have yet to receive the $1200 that=the $2400. We as a married couple qualify for that amount total.
    I saw on the Social Security site that if you started receiving benefits on or after Jan 2020. You would receive either electronic deposit on Nov 4th or by check come shortly after the 6th.
    I need assistance, Who can I call? Or a website to file a claim, Anything? I tried using the non filers tool cause they extended it’s use until the 21st of November. I tried 4-5 times & kept being rejected, Couldn’t even make it to enter the info on the tool/site.
    Look forward to some feedback!
    All is greatly appreciated.😃

  5. Bianca S.

    Is we getting a nuther stimulus payment

  6. Rodney O.

    I recently received a live “stimulus” check for myself, deposited it into our account, and after five days the bank released the funds. Since then, I have received two letters from “The White House” notifying me that a check is in route to me. Now I am concerned that the most recent check is fraudulent. The first check I received last year was direct deposited into our USAA account. This one was a live check mailed directly to me rather than direct deposited. Should I be concerned?

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Rodney, 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. If you are unable to find the answer, call the IRS hotline at 1-800-919-9835. Thanks!

  7. Lori A.

    Too whom it may concern I’m reaching out too you regarding my stimulus check!?

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Lori, 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. If you are unable to find the answer, call the IRS hotline at 1-800-919-9835. Thanks!

  8. Dan

    I retrieved a Disability Update report in the mail, is it a scam? It has my personal info

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Dan, thanks for using our blog. You may want to check with Social Security by calling us at 1-800-772-1213 or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.

  9. Maria R.

    Hi., my name is Maria Rae Golden.. I have Cerebral Palsy and I live in a group home in LongIsland. I don’t work but I get SSI check in my bank but I’m still waiting for my stimulus check am I getting my stimulus check soon… please e-mail me
    flower11961@yahoo.com
    Thank you
    Maria Rae Golden

  10. Tahani W.

    I like to apply for EIPs

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Tahani, 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. If you are unable to find the answer, call the IRS hotline at 1-800-919-9835. Thanks!

    • Auatin

      Can i file earlyier than january for 2020

Comments are closed.