SSDI recipients received stimulus checks during the pandemic, but there are no current stimulus payments

The federal government sent three rounds of stimulus payments during the COVID-19 pandemic: in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Most people on SSDI received these automatically. There are no stimulus checks being sent now, and no announced plans for future rounds. If you missed a stimulus payment you were may have access to to, you may be able to claim it on your tax return, but the important date has passed for most people.

This article explains what happened with past stimulus payments, who received them, and what to do if you think you missed one.

Key Takeaways

  • The three stimulus payments were sent in 2020, 2021, and 2022 — there are no current stimulus checks for SSDI recipients.
  • Most people on SSDI received stimulus payments automatically without having to take any action.
  • The amounts were $1,200, $600, and $1,400 per person in each round, with additional payments for children in some cases.
  • If you did not receive a payment you were may have access to to, the IRS allowed claims through your tax return, but most important date have closed.
  • Stimulus payments did not affect your SSDI benefits or count as income for SSI purposes.

How the three stimulus rounds worked for SSDI

The Social Security Administration automatically sent stimulus payments to people receiving SSDI without requiring them to file taxes or take any other action. SSA used the same payment method you normally receive your benefits — direct deposit or a check in the mail.

The first payment arrived in spring 2020 and was $1,200 per person. The second round, sent in early 2021, was $600 per person. The third round, distributed starting in March 2022, was $1,400 per person. Payments for children were handled separately through the tax system and went to the parent or guardian who claimed them.

You did not have to do anything to receive these payments if you were already on SSDI. SSA identified who was receiving benefits and sent the money automatically.

What happened if you did not receive a stimulus payment

Some people on SSDI did not receive their stimulus payments for various reasons — a change in address, a payment method that failed, or a processing error. If this happened to you, the IRS created a way to claim the missing payment through your tax return using a form called the Recovery Rebate Credit.

The important date to claim the first stimulus payment (2020) on your tax return was April 15, 2021. The important date for the second payment (2021) was April 15, 2022. The important date for the third payment (2022) was April 15, 2023. These important date have now passed, and the IRS generally does not extend them. If you missed these important date, you would need to speak with a tax professional or the IRS directly about whether any exception applies to your situation.

If you did receive a stimulus payment but it was incorrect — for example, the amount was wrong — you should contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to report it.

Stimulus payments and your SSDI benefits

Stimulus payments did not reduce your SSDI benefit amount. Social Security treated them as one-time payments that did not count as "income" under the rules that determine your monthly benefit.

If you receive SSI (Supplemental Security Income) instead of or in addition to SSDI, the rules were slightly different. The first two stimulus payments ($1,200 and $600) did not count as income or resources for SSI purposes. The third payment ($1,400) also did not count as income, but SSI has a resource limit, and if you had other savings, the stimulus payment could have pushed you over that limit. Most people were not affected by this, but if you were on SSI and concerned about your resource limit, you could have contacted your local SSA office.

Why there are no current stimulus payments

Stimulus payments were a temporary response to the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Congress authorized each round separately, and no new stimulus payments have been authorized since 2022. There is no current plan to send additional stimulus checks to SSDI recipients or the general public.

If Congress were to authorize another round of stimulus payments in the future, SSDI recipients would likely receive them the same way as before — automatically through their normal payment method. Any announcement would come from the Social Security Administration and major news outlets, not from unsolicited emails or calls.

Avoiding scams about stimulus payments

Because stimulus payments were widely publicized, scammers created fake websites, emails, and phone calls claiming to help people "recover" missing payments or "speed up" payments. These are not legitimate. The IRS and Social Security do not contact people by email or unsolicited phone call to offer help with stimulus payments.

If you received a call, email, or text claiming to help you get a stimulus payment, do not click any links or provide personal information. Hang up or delete the message. You can report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still claim a stimulus payment I missed on my 2024 tax return?

No. The important date to claim any of the three stimulus payments through the Recovery Rebate Credit has passed. The IRS does not typically extend this important date. If you believe you have an unusual circumstance, contact a tax professional or call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

Did stimulus payments count as income for Medicaid or other benefits?

Stimulus payments did not count as income for Medicaid purposes. However, rules vary by state and program. If you receive other means-tested benefits and were concerned about how a stimulus payment might affect them, you could have contacted your state's benefits office before spending it.

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

This was rare for SSDI recipients, since SSA was careful about who it sent payments to. If you received a payment you believe was an error, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Do not spend the money until you have confirmed with the IRS whether you need to return it.

Will there be another stimulus payment in the future?

There is no current plan for another stimulus payment. Any future stimulus would require Congress to pass new legislation. If that happens, SSDI recipients would receive payments automatically, just as they did in 2020, 2021, and 2022.