There was no fourth federal stimulus check in 2021 or later

The federal government issued three rounds of stimulus payments during the COVID-19 pandemic: in March 2020, December 2020, and March 2021. SSDI recipients were included in all three. There was no fourth stimulus check authorized by Congress, and no fourth payment was sent to any group of Americans, including people receiving Social Security Disability Insurance.

After March 2021, Congress did not pass legislation creating another round of direct payments. Some states experimented with their own relief programs using federal pandemic funds, but these were temporary, state-specific, and have largely ended. If you received a payment after mid-2021 that you thought was a stimulus check, it was likely a tax refund, a state benefit, or a scam.

Key Takeaways

  • Congress authorized exactly three stimulus payments: March 2020 ($1,200), December 2020 ($600), and March 2021 ($1,400).
  • SSDI recipients were included in all three rounds without having to take any action.
  • No fourth federal stimulus check was ever authorized or sent after March 2021.
  • Scams claiming to help you "get" a fourth check are common; the government does not ask you to verify information or pay fees to receive stimulus money.

How the three stimulus checks worked for SSDI recipients

SSDI recipients did not have to file a tax return or take any special action to receive the stimulus payments. The IRS and Social Security Administration coordinated to send payments automatically to anyone receiving SSDI, SSI, or Veterans benefits. If you had a bank account on file with Social Security, the payment went there. If not, the IRS mailed a check.

The three payments were: $1,200 per adult in the first round (March 2020), $600 per adult in the second round (December 2020), and $1,400 per adult in the third round (March 2021). may be able to access dependents also received payments in each round. Because SSDI recipients were treated as automatically may be able to access, there was no process process, no important date to claim the money, and no way to "miss" the payment if you were receiving benefits when it was issued.

If you did not receive one of the three payments you believe you were owed, the IRS allowed you to claim it as a tax credit on your 2020 or 2021 tax return. This required filing a return even if you normally did not have to file. That window has now closed for most people, though some may still have options through amended returns.

Why people search for a fourth stimulus check

Misinformation about a fourth payment has circulated widely on social media and in email scams since 2021. Some posts claim that Congress secretly passed a fourth round, or that a fourth check is "coming soon," or that you have to "claim" it by a certain date. None of these claims are true.

The confusion is understandable: the first three checks came in quick succession during an economic crisis, and many people faced ongoing hardship after March 2021. It is natural to hope for another payment. However, Congress did not authorize one, and no fourth check exists. If you see an ad, email, or social media post promising to help you get a fourth stimulus check, it is either misinformation or a scam designed to steal your personal information or money.

Scams claiming to offer a fourth stimulus check

Scammers have created fake websites, sent phishing emails, and posted on social media claiming they can help you "unlock" or "claim" a fourth stimulus check. These scams typically ask you to enter your Social Security number, bank account details, or other sensitive information. Some ask you to pay a fee upfront. None of this is legitimate.

The real government does not ask you to verify your identity, pay money, or enter personal information to receive a stimulus check. If you receive an unsolicited message claiming to be from the IRS, Social Security, or the Treasury Department and asking for information, it is a scam. Do not click links in emails or texts about stimulus checks. Do not call phone numbers provided in unsolicited messages. If you want to verify whether you received all three stimulus payments you were owed, go directly to irs.gov and use the Get My Payment tool, or call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

What to do if you think you missed a stimulus payment

If you believe you should have received one of the three stimulus checks but did not, your first step is to check your records. Look for deposits to your bank account or checks mailed to your address during March 2020, December 2020, or March 2021. If you moved during that time, the check may have gone to an old address.

If you still cannot find evidence of the payment, you can file a tax return claiming the stimulus as a credit. For the 2020 payments (first and second checks), you would claim them on your 2020 tax return. For the 2021 payment (third check), you would claim it on your 2021 return. You can file an amended return if you already filed but did not claim the credit. However, the IRS has largely stopped processing amended returns for these credits, so contact a tax professional or the IRS directly to understand your options.

Other pandemic relief programs that may still be available

Although the federal stimulus checks ended, some other pandemic relief programs continued longer or are still operating. These vary by state and by program. For example, some states extended unemployment benefits, some created rental information funds, and some offered utility bill help. These programs are not stimulus checks, but they may provide financial support if you meet the requirements.

To find out what programs are currently available in your state, contact your state's social services office or call 211 (a free helpline that connects you to local resources). You can also visit benefits.gov to search for programs by state. Be cautious of any organization that charges a fee to help you find or explore for benefits; legitimate government programs do not require payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the government planning another stimulus check for SSDI recipients?

There is no current plan for another federal stimulus check. Congress would have to pass new legislation to authorize one, and no such bill is pending. If Congress does pass stimulus legislation in the future, SSDI recipients would likely be included automatically, just as they were in the three previous rounds.

What if I received a payment after March 2021 that I thought was a stimulus check?

It was probably not a stimulus check. It may have been a tax refund, a state-level benefit, a payment from a creditor, or a scam. If you are unsure, check your bank statement or the envelope the check came in for details about who sent it. Do not assume any unsolicited payment is legitimate.

Can I still claim the stimulus checks on my taxes if I did not receive them?

You can file or amend a tax return to claim the credits, but the IRS has largely stopped processing amended returns for stimulus credits. Contact a tax professional or the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to find out whether you can still claim them and what your options are.

How do I report a scam claiming to offer a fourth stimulus check?

Report phishing emails to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov. Report scam websites or social media posts to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. If you gave a scammer your personal information, place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) and monitor your credit report.