COVID-19, General

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

May 5, 2020 • By

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Last Updated: March 17, 2021

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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.

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About the Author

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

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Comments

  1. Salome S.

    My kids get benefits as auxiliary child benefits and I filed using the non/filer tool as instructed a month ago. I got only $1200! I did not get any money for my kids.

  2. Miguel

    Dear Social Security,
    I’m a SSDI Recipient and I still haven’t received my stimulus payment via direct deposit. I have no dependents and SSDI is my only income. What I can do to address this issue?

    • Sara

      Same here

  3. Stressed

    SSDI recepient, and it’s May 14. Still no stimulus payment, still no information available via the IRS website.

    • Sara

      Same here. I could really use the money and I don’t understand why I have not received it.

  4. Cathy W.

    If I have a 17 year old that is receiving survival benefits for one deceased parent and the and the 17-year old is a full-time High School child. Will this child still qualify for the $500 in fact check cannot find the answer anywhere can someone help us with this answer.

    • Becca

      He’s is over 16, which was the cutoff. Whether you claimed him as a dependent or not does not matter. He will not receive any money.

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Cathy, 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!

  5. John Q.

    I receive survivor benefits from my late wife. I still have not received any kind of check

  6. Hang N.

    Hi. I’m a single mom with 4 children but they just give money with 3 children. How to files complain?

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Hang, 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!

  7. Melanie h.

    I have no stimulis check. Why are disabled & vetrans last . the needy get nothing. I have a direct express card recieve my tax payer for by me money only card monthly. I have not filed. Taxes and didnot need to in2018 or 2019.

  8. Stacie

    I read the SSA COVID update for eip for people with payees and it said people on SSI with payees would receive payment by the 27th, does that also mean that SSDI recipients with payees?

  9. Le

    Dear ssa.I
    I think is my problem the reason I can’t get my direct payment thought my netspend card yes is because I fill out the Non-Filers: Enter Payment, but I don’t have to do that ,but I did …that why I can’t get my 1200 payment thought my direct deposit that right or no ??I Do I’m right? Or why all my friend my cousin got that payment already but only me still get nothing??

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Le, 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!

      • Diane

        Hello
        I received the $1200 on my direct express card with my SSDI
        I filled out the non filers for my Son for the $500.
        But haven’t received it yet. The emailed from IRS said it was accepted
        Are they sending me a separate check?

  10. Maureen

    I truely think its discrimanation to not release stimulus check to ssi people who have payee its ssa who makes them have one they dont elect it now do your jobs and get them there money

Comments are closed.