There has not been a fourth stimulus payment for SSDI recipients

As of now, there is no fourth stimulus check. The federal government issued three rounds of Economic Impact Payments during the COVID-19 pandemic: one in 2020, one in early 2021, and one in mid-2021. No fourth payment has been authorized or distributed to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients or the general public.

If you receive SSDI, you were included in the first three rounds if you met the income limits at the time. The third payment ended in 2021, and Congress has not passed legislation creating a fourth stimulus payment since then.

You may see claims online or in social media posts about a coming fourth stimulus check. These are not accurate. Scammers sometimes use the promise of a fourth payment to trick people into sharing personal information or paying fees. The Social Security Administration and the U.S. Treasury do not charge fees for stimulus payments, and they do not ask for payment information through email, text, or unsolicited phone calls.

Key Takeaways

  • Three stimulus payments were issued between 2020 and 2021; no fourth payment has been created.
  • SSDI recipients who met income requirements received the first three payments automatically, with no action needed.
  • Posts or messages claiming a fourth stimulus is coming are not from the government and should not be trusted.
  • The Social Security Administration and U.S. Treasury never ask for fees or personal banking details to send stimulus money.
  • If you did not receive one of the first three payments and believe you should have, you can still file a claim with the IRS.

How the three stimulus payments worked for SSDI recipients

If you received SSDI in 2020 or 2021, you likely received all three stimulus payments without having to do anything. The payments were sent automatically to the bank account or address on file with Social Security. Most SSDI recipients received $1,200 in the first round, $1,400 in the second round, and $1,400 in the third round, though the exact amount depended on income and filing status.

The payments were based on your 2019 or 2020 tax return, or on Social Security records if you had not filed taxes. Because SSDI recipients typically have income below the threshold that would disqualify them, most people on SSDI received the full amount each time.

If you were homeless or did not have a bank account, the payment was sent by check or prepaid debit card to your last known address. Some people never received their payment because the address was outdated or the check was lost.

What to do if you did not receive a stimulus payment you were owed

If you believe you should have received one or more of the three stimulus payments but did not, you can still file a claim. The IRS allows people to claim missing stimulus payments when they file their tax return, even if they do not normally file taxes.

To claim a missing payment, you will need to file a tax return for the year the payment should have been sent. You can file for free using IRS Free File if your income is below a certain threshold. When you file, you claim the missing payment as a Recovery Rebate Credit. The IRS will then send you the money you are owed.

You can also contact the IRS directly to ask about a missing payment. Call 1-800-829-1040 to speak with an IRS representative. Have your Social Security number and the year of the payment you are asking about ready when you call.

How to spot and avoid stimulus payment scams

Scammers have used the promise of stimulus payments to steal money and personal information from people on SSDI and Social Security. Here are the signs of a scam:

  • A text, email, or call asking you to click a link or call a number to "claim" or "verify" your stimulus payment.
  • A message saying you need to pay a fee to receive your payment.
  • Someone asking for your bank account number, PIN, or password.
  • A post on social media claiming the government is sending a fourth stimulus check and asking you to share personal details.
  • A caller claiming to be from Social Security or the IRS and threatening legal action if you do not act when ready.

The real Social Security Administration and IRS do not contact people first about stimulus payments. They do not ask for fees. They do not ask for passwords or PINs. If you receive a message like this, do not respond. You can report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Other payments SSDI recipients may receive

While there is no fourth stimulus check, SSDI recipients may be receiving other payments from the government. Some states have sent additional pandemic relief payments to people on disability. These are separate from the federal stimulus checks and vary by state.

You may also be may be able to access for other benefits depending on your situation. Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is different from SSDI, may be available if your income and resources are very low. Some people receive both SSDI and SSI. You can contact your local Social Security office to ask whether you might be may be able to access for other programs.

If you are struggling financially, you may also look into food information (SNAP), utility information programs, or housing programs in your area. You can search for local resources through 211.org or by calling 2-1-1.

Why Congress has not passed a fourth stimulus payment

After the third stimulus payment in 2021, Congress did not pass legislation for a fourth round. Some lawmakers proposed additional payments, but these proposals did not become law. The debate centered on whether more stimulus was needed and how much it would cost.

Economic conditions, inflation, and disagreement between political parties all played a role in the decision not to send a fourth payment. As of now, there are no active proposals in Congress for a new round of stimulus checks to the general public or to SSDI recipients specifically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the government planning to send a fourth stimulus check in the future?

There is no current plan or proposal for a fourth stimulus payment. Congress would need to pass new legislation to authorize and fund such a payment, and that has not happened. If circumstances change, news about a new payment would come from official government sources like the IRS or Social Security Administration, not from social media or unsolicited messages.

What should I do if I see a post claiming a fourth stimulus is coming?

Do not click links or share personal information. These posts are typically scams designed to steal money or data. You can report the post to the social media platform where you saw it. If you are unsure whether something is real, contact the IRS or Social Security directly using the phone numbers on their official websites.

Can I get money back if I fell for a stimulus payment scam?

Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to your bank or payment service right away. If money was transferred, your bank may be able to reverse it if you act quickly. You can also file a report with your state's attorney general's office.

Do I need to do anything to receive stimulus payments if they are sent in the future?

No. If Congress passes a fourth stimulus payment, it would be sent automatically to people who meet the requirements, just like the first three payments were. You would not need to explore or contact anyone. Be wary of anyone claiming you need to take action or pay a fee to receive a payment.

Where can I check the status of the three payments I already received?

You can use the IRS's "Get My Payment" tool at irs.gov to check the status of your stimulus payments. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and mailing address. If you still believe you are owed a payment, you can file a tax return and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit.