There was no fourth stimulus payment for SSDI recipients

The federal government issued three rounds of Economic Impact Payments (stimulus checks) during the COVID-19 pandemic: in 2020, 2021, and 2021. SSDI recipients who met income thresholds received payments in each round. There has been no fourth stimulus payment, and no legislation currently pending in Congress would create one.

This distinction matters because many websites and social media posts have circulated claims about a "fourth stimulus" or "fourth round" of payments. These claims are not accurate. If you received three stimulus payments and are wondering whether a fourth is coming, the answer is no—but understanding what actually happened with the first three can help you spot misinformation and know what to do if you believe you were missed.

Key Takeaways

  • Three stimulus payments were issued to SSDI recipients between March 2020 and January 2022; no fourth payment has been authorized or distributed.
  • SSDI recipients with income below the phase-out threshold ($75,000 for single filers, $150,000 for joint filers) received the full payment amount in each round.
  • If you did not receive a stimulus payment you believe you were owed, you can file a claim using IRS Form 1040-X or contact the IRS directly.
  • No pending legislation in Congress proposes a fourth stimulus payment, though individual lawmakers periodically introduce bills that do not advance.

The three stimulus payments that were actually issued

The first Economic Impact Payment went out in March and April 2020 as part of the CARES Act. SSDI recipients received $1,200 per adult and $500 per child under 17. The second payment arrived in December 2020 and January 2021 under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, with the same amounts. The third payment was distributed between March and April 2021 under the American Rescue Plan, with amounts of $1,400 per adult and $1,400 per child.

SSDI recipients did not have to take any action to receive these payments. The Social Security Administration provided the IRS with SSDI beneficiary information, and the IRS deposited payments directly into the bank account on file with Social Security, or mailed a check if no account was on file. If you received SSI (Supplemental Security Income) instead of SSDI, you also received payments in all three rounds under the same terms.

Income limits applied to all three rounds. If your modified adjusted gross income was above $75,000 (single) or $150,000 (married filing jointly), your payment was reduced or eliminated. SSDI income counts toward this threshold, but many SSDI recipients fall below it and received the full amount.

Why claims about a fourth stimulus keep circulating

Several factors have kept "fourth stimulus" rumors alive. Individual members of Congress have introduced bills proposing additional stimulus payments—most notably in 2021 and 2022—but none of these bills have passed both chambers or been signed into law. When a bill is introduced, news outlets and social media sometimes report on it as though it were already law, which creates confusion.

Additionally, some websites deliberately publish false or misleading headlines about stimulus payments to drive traffic. These sites may claim a fourth payment is "coming soon" or that SSDI recipients should "check their status" for a payment that does not exist. The IRS and Social Security Administration do not announce stimulus payments through third-party websites; they announce them through official channels and their own websites.

What to do if you believe you missed a stimulus payment

If you did not receive one or more of the three stimulus payments and believe you were owed them, you have options. The simplest first step is to check the IRS website using the "Get My Payment" tool, which shows the status and deposit date of each payment you received. You can access this tool at irs.gov.

If the tool shows you did not receive a payment you were owed, you can claim it on your federal tax return. Use IRS Form 1040-X (Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return) to file an amended return for the year in which the payment should have been issued. You will need to report the missing payment as a Recovery Rebate Credit. The IRS processes amended returns, but the timeline varies—typically four to six months, though it can take longer.

Alternatively, you can contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 (TTY 1-800-829-4059 for deaf and hard of hearing callers). Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the year(s) in question ready. The IRS can research whether a payment was issued and, if not, help you file a claim.

How to spot misinformation about stimulus payments

Legitimate announcements about federal payments come from official sources: the IRS (irs.gov), the Social Security Administration (ssa.gov), or direct statements from Congress. If you see a claim about a stimulus payment on social media, a third-party website, or in an email, check the official sources first.

Red flags include: promises that you must "act now" or the payment will expire; claims that you need to pay a fee or provide personal information to receive a payment; links to websites that are not irs.gov or ssa.gov; and vague language like "you may be owed money" without specific details about which payment or why you would may have access to.

SSDI recipients are frequently targeted by scams because they receive regular government payments and may be less familiar with online security. If you receive an unexpected email, text, or call about a stimulus payment, do not click links or provide information. Instead, go directly to irs.gov or call the IRS using the phone number listed on your tax return or Social Security statement.

Proposed legislation and why it has not passed

Several bills have been introduced in Congress proposing additional stimulus payments since 2021. The most notable was the "Stimulus Check 4" proposal, which would have sent another $1,400 payment to may be able to access individuals. However, this bill and similar proposals have not advanced past the committee stage and have not been voted on by the full House or Senate.

Congress has not authorized a fourth stimulus payment because the economic conditions that prompted the first three payments have changed. The first three payments were emergency measures tied to the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and its when ready economic impact. As the pandemic receded and the economy recovered, the political consensus for additional broad-based stimulus payments diminished.

If Congress were to authorize another stimulus payment in the future, it would be announced through official government channels and reported by major news outlets. You would not need to search for information or take action to receive it; like the first three payments, it would be issued automatically to may be able to access individuals based on Social Security Administration records.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there any chance a fourth stimulus payment will be issued later?

Congress has not authorized a fourth stimulus payment, and no legislation currently pending would create one. While individual lawmakers periodically introduce bills proposing additional payments, these do not advance to a vote. If Congress were to authorize another payment, it would be announced through official government sources like irs.gov and ssa.gov.

Do I need to do anything to receive a stimulus payment if one is issued?

No. SSDI recipients receive stimulus payments automatically based on Social Security Administration records. You do not need to register, call anyone, or visit a website. If a payment is issued, it will be deposited into your bank account or mailed to your address on file with Social Security.

What if I received a stimulus payment but I think it was the wrong amount?

Check the IRS "Get My Payment" tool at irs.gov to see the amount you received. If it was less than you expected, your income may have exceeded the phase-out threshold. If you believe an error occurred, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or file an amended return using Form 1040-X to claim the difference as a Recovery Rebate Credit.

Can I get a fourth stimulus payment if I missed the first three?

You can claim any of the first three stimulus payments you did not receive by filing an amended tax return or contacting the IRS. However, there is no fourth payment to claim. If you missed earlier payments, the IRS can help you file a claim for those specific amounts.

Are there other federal payments available to SSDI recipients besides stimulus checks?

Yes. SSDI recipients may be may be able to access for other programs including Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP (food information), and utility information programs. These are separate from stimulus payments and have their own rules and process processes. Contact your local Social Security office or visit ssa.gov to learn more.