I get Social Security or SSI. How will I receive my stimulus payment?
Social Security benefits are paid by the Social Security Administration (“SSA”). These include Social Security Disability, widows’ and widowers’ benefits, Disabled Adult Child benefits, and retirement benefits. SSI benefits are paid by SSA to individuals who are at least 65 years old, blind, or disabled and who meet financial rules.
Under the CARES Act, eligible individuals will receive $1,200. Eligible married couples will receive $2,400. An additional $500 will be paid for each child who qualifies. For example, a family of 4 will receive $3,400. You will get the full payment if you filed a tax return for 2018 or 2019. If you are someone else’s dependent, you will not get a payment.
If you get Social Security, did not file a 2018 or 2019 tax return, and received the SSA-1099 form in January 2020, you will get the individual payment of $1,200 around the end of April. You will receive your payments the same way you normally receive your Social Security payments, whether by direct deposit, Direct Express debit card, or by paper check.
If you are a married couple or the parent(s) of a child, you will not get the full payment based only on the SSA-1099. If you are married and you don’t think the IRS has your spouse’s information, you can file a tax return to get these benefits. You should include your direct deposit information as electronic payments will be processed much faster than paper checks. If your spouse will not be filing a tax return, your spouse can file their information on the IRS’s website to receive a payment.
If you do not have a bank account, consider opening one for this payment. If you need the SSA-1099 form, you can check your account online at mySocialSecurity.
If you have children and only received the SSA-1099 form, you can file your children’s information on the IRS’s website so that you will receive additional money for your children.
If you get SSI then you will get an automatic individual payment of $1,200 by early May. You will receive your payments the same way you normally receive your SSI payments, whether by direct deposit, Direct Express debit card, or by paper check.
If you have children under 17 years old, you will need to enter their information on the IRS’s website to receive the additional payments for children. You should include your direct deposit information in order to get your payment faster.
If you are married and you don’t think the IRS has your spouse’s information, you can file a tax return to get these benefits. You should include your direct deposit information as electronic payments will be processed much faster than paper checks. If your spouse will not be filing a tax return, your spouse can file their information on the IRS’s website to receive a payment.
If you filed a tax return in 2018 or 2019 but the IRS does not have your direct deposit information, the IRS’s website allows you to submit your bank account information. If you are unsure as to how your payments will be received, the IRS’s website allows you to check and change how you will be paid. Again, electronic payments will be processed much faster than paper checks, so you should provide your bank information as soon as possible.
Even if you filed tax returns in 2018 or 2019, you should still verify on the IRS’s website that the IRS has your correct direct deposit information.
It is very important to note that no payments will be sent after December 31, 2020. You should provide the Treasury Department with your information as soon as possible.
