SSDI recipients received stimulus payments in past relief packages, but there is no current stimulus program

If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you were included in the three rounds of stimulus payments Congress passed during the COVID-19 pandemic: $1,200 in 2020, $600 in December 2020, and $1,400 in 2021. You did not have to take any action to receive these payments—the Social Security Administration sent them automatically to your bank account or mailed a check based on your existing SSDI record.

There is no active stimulus program now. Congress has not passed new stimulus legislation since 2021, and there are no pending bills that would create another round of payments. If you see advertisements or websites claiming you can receive a stimulus check today, they are either outdated or misleading.

What sometimes confuses people is the difference between stimulus checks (one-time payments Congress passes during emergencies) and your regular SSDI benefit, which you receive every month. Your monthly SSDI payment is separate and continues whether or not a stimulus program exists.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI recipients received three stimulus payments between 2020 and 2021 totaling $3,200, sent automatically with no action required.
  • No stimulus program is currently active, and Congress has not passed new stimulus legislation since 2021.
  • Your regular monthly SSDI benefit is not a stimulus payment and continues regardless of whether Congress passes emergency relief.
  • If you did not receive a stimulus payment you believe you were owed, you can check your payment status through the IRS or Social Security.

How the three stimulus rounds worked for SSDI recipients

The first stimulus payment in March 2020 sent $1,200 to most SSDI recipients automatically. The Social Security Administration used your existing direct deposit information or mailed a paper check if you were not set up for electronic payment. You did not need to file a tax return or contact anyone—the payment was based on your SSDI record alone.

The second payment in December 2020 was $600 per person and followed the same process. The third payment in March 2021 was $1,400 and again required no action on your part. All three payments were one-time only and were not taxable income.

If you were receiving SSDI throughout 2020 and 2021, you should have received all three payments. If you started receiving SSDI after the payments ended, you were not included in those rounds.

What to do if you think you missed a stimulus payment

If you received SSDI during 2020 or 2021 but did not receive a stimulus payment, you have two ways to check what happened. The first is to use the IRS's Get My Payment tool on IRS.gov, which shows the status and payment method for each of the three stimulus payments. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and mailing address.

The second is to contact Social Security directly at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask whether they have a record of sending your payment. Have your Social Security number ready. If Social Security sent the payment but you never received it, they can help you file a claim for a replacement check, though this process can take several months.

If the IRS shows the payment was sent but you still have not received it after checking your bank account and waiting 30 days, you can file Form 3911 (Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund) with the IRS to report the missing payment. This form is available on IRS.gov.

Why stimulus checks are different from your monthly SSDI benefit

A stimulus payment is a one-time transfer Congress passes during a declared emergency, usually a recession or pandemic. It is not part of your regular benefit structure. Your monthly SSDI payment, by contrast, is a permanent benefit you receive as long as you meet the program's requirements—you are disabled, you have worked enough to earn credits, and you have not reached full retirement age (at which point your benefit converts to retirement benefits).

Stimulus checks do not affect your SSDI benefit amount. Receiving a stimulus payment in 2020 or 2021 did not reduce your monthly check then or now. They were separate from your benefit calculation entirely.

How to stay informed about future stimulus programs

If Congress passes a new stimulus bill in the future, the Social Security Administration will announce it on its official website (ssa.gov) and through its social media accounts. You can also sign up for email updates from Social Security by visiting ssa.gov and selecting "Subscribe to Updates."

Be cautious of unsolicited emails, texts, or phone calls claiming to offer stimulus payments. Social Security and the IRS do not contact people first to tell them about stimulus checks—you will see the payment in your account or receive a mailed check. If someone contacts you claiming you can receive a stimulus payment for a fee, that is a scam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will there be another stimulus check in 2024 or 2025?

Congress has not passed any stimulus legislation since 2021, and there are no current bills proposing new stimulus payments. Whether another stimulus occurs depends on future economic conditions and Congressional action, which cannot be predicted.

Do I have to pay taxes on the stimulus checks I received?

No. The three stimulus payments from 2020 and 2021 were not taxable income. You do not report them on your tax return, and they do not affect your tax liability.

If I was in prison during 2020 or 2021, did I still get a stimulus check?

No. People incarcerated in federal or state prison were not sent stimulus payments, even if they were receiving SSDI before incarceration. If you were released and believe you were owed a payment, contact the IRS using the Get My Payment tool or call 1-800-829-1040.

Can I claim a stimulus payment I never received on my taxes?

If you did not receive a stimulus payment you were owed, you can claim it as a Recovery Rebate Credit on your tax return. You will need to file a return (even if you normally do not) and use Form 1040 or 1040-SR. A tax professional or free tax preparation service can help you file this claim.

What if I received a stimulus check but I was not supposed to?

You do not have to return it. The IRS has not pursued repayment of stimulus checks sent in error to SSDI recipients. If you received a payment you believe was a mistake, you can contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to report it, but repayment is not required.