COVID-19, General

SSI Recipients: Act by May 5 to Get $500 Economic Impact Payment Now for Your Child

May 5, 2020 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: March 17, 2021

Treasury Check

Millions of Americans have already received their Economic Impact Payments. Many more will get theirs as the IRS continues to send payments. People who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation and pension benefits will receive up to $1,200 automatically. However, some people in this group, those who did not file a tax return and who have a child under 17, must act by May 5th to receive a $500 payment for each qualifying child now. If you miss the deadline, you will receive your $1,200 payment, but you will need to wait until next year to file a tax return to get money for your qualifying child.

Deadline is May 5

You need to act by today to get it. If you receive SSI or VA benefits, did not file a tax return, and have qualifying children under age 17, you must provide each child’s information to the IRS using their Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here online tool by May 5.

A qualifying child is someone who:

  • Is your child, stepchild, eligible foster child, sibling, half sibling, stepsibling or descendant, including your grandchild, niece or nephew.
  • Can be claimed as a dependent on your tax return. For those who don’t usually file a tax return, include the child’s information in the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here tool by May 5.
  • Was younger than 17 at the end of the 2019 tax year.
  • Is a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. resident alien.
  • Has a valid Social Security number or an adoption taxpayer identification number.

Some people have older dependents. This may include your parent or a college student. Here are a couple things to know about dependents 17 or older:

  • You won’t get money for those dependents.
  • If they’re claimed as a dependent, they aren’t eligible for their own $1,200 Economic Impact Payment.

If you’re married, you must also provide additional information using the Non-Filer tool to claim the full $2,400 payment as long as your spouse didn’t receive Social Security (disability or SSI) benefits, Railroad Retirement Board benefits, or VA benefits in 2019. Also, your spouse did not have to file a tax return in the last two years. Payments of $1,200 are automatic for people who don’t normally file a tax return even if they receive:

  • Social Security (Retirement, Survivors, Disability).
  • Supplemental Security Income.
  • Railroad Retirement benefits.

Important Message for Direct Express Card Holders: If you use the Non-Filer Tool to enter dependent information, you will not receive your automatic $1,200 payment on your Direct Express card. You will receive both your $1,200 payment and each child’s $500 payment on a non-Direct Express bank account you can provide, or by mail if you leave bank information empty, and only if the IRS has not already processed your $1,200 payment. If you do not use the Non-Filer Tool, you will receive your automatic $1,200 payment on your Direct Express card, and you will need to file a tax return next year to get a $500 payment per eligible child.

For more information, please visit the IRS Economic Impact Payments website.

Did you find this Information helpful?

Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!

Tags:

See Comments

About the Author

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

Related Articles

Social Security’s Gift to Children is Security

Social Security Honors the Nation’s Heroes on Memorial Day

Social Security Programs Are As Diverse As Those We Serve

Social Security Supports Teachers Online

Comments

  1. amanda k.

    I got my 1200 but not my 1000 for my two kids I filed in the beginning of April and did everything I was supposed to do I get ssi so I don’t know what the problem is.is anyone else having this same problem??

  2. Sally R.

    Im on ssi no depenants n have Direct deposite why haven’t i recieve it yet my husband is also on ssi n has Direct express n he hasn’t recieved his yet when will we recieve our checks

    • V.V.

      Hi Sally, thank you for using our blog. The Internal Revenue Service, which is part of the Department of Treasury, will be making Economic Income Payments to eligible people. Therefore, we do not have a schedule of these payments. You may find the IRS Get My Payment Frequently Asked Questions web page helpful.

  3. Betty M.

    I get ssi am asking why I haven’t got my payment

    • V.V.

      Hi Betty, thank you for using our blog. The Internal Revenue Service, which is part of the Department of Treasury, will be making Economic Income Payments to eligible people. Therefore, we do not have a schedule of these payments. You may find the IRS Get My Payment Frequently Asked Questions web page helpful.

  4. dawn

    I acted April 13th I did not receive the 500.00 dependent money 1000s of people didn’t get it now is says 2021 taxes is when you’ll get it we don’t file taxes so how are we goi b g to it it it was supposed to be with the 1200.00 not separate

  5. Eric

    Why are you telling everyone on SSA to fil out the non filers in order to receive the $500 dependent funds then not give it to them? I submitted the non filers on April 11th and had a direct deposit date of April 29th I only received $2,400 for my wife and I. I did not receive my $500 for either of my children. I am not the only one this happened to. Stop telling us to do something and stop lying to us that you will give us the dependent credit if we use the non filers because nobody who receives SSA is receiving these said funds.

  6. Youman F.

    Simultaneous check

  7. Amanda T.

    I used the non filers portal the first day it was made available to the public and 3 weeks later I got money for myself but not my 2 children. It seems this is a huge issue that is causing a lot if distress. If they could please fix this and send out money to the millions of us that didn’t get what was promised it would be much appreciated.

    • V.V.

      Hi Amanda, thank you for your question. The Internal Revenue Service, which is part of the Department of Treasury, will be making Economic Income Payments to eligible people. To help you quickly and easily determine whether you need to take any action to receive your Economic Impact Payment, or a payment for any qualifying children, check out the step-by-step instructions on the Social Security and Coronavirus web page.

  8. Tanya

    I filed April 15th for my qualifying child, I rece6my 1200 on the 29th but not the 500. I receive ssi. What happened to the 500? I did exactly what was asked in the proper time frame so I’d expect to receive the money in the time frame promised, next year is not realistic. I don’t think we should be penalized for a glitch in the irs system.

    • V.V.

      Hi Tanya, thank you for your question. The Internal Revenue Service, which is part of the Department of Treasury, will be making Economic Income Payments to eligible people. To help you quickly and easily determine whether you need to take any action to receive your Economic Impact Payment, or a payment for any qualifying children, check out the step-by-step instructions on the Social Security and Coronavirus web page.

    • char g.

      same with me I’m still waiting and I did exactly what you did and only got 1200

  9. Maribel R.

    I’m a recipient of SSI and I don’t received yet my deposit of the stimulus check vto my direct express card. What’s day it’s supposed received?

  10. Jo A.

    What do I do if I did not receive my social security check for April

Comments are closed.