SSDI recipients did not receive a fourth stimulus check

The federal government issued three rounds of stimulus payments during the COVID-19 pandemic: in 2020, 2021, and early 2022. There was no fourth round. SSDI recipients who met the income requirements received the first three payments automatically, but no additional stimulus checks have been issued since the third round ended in 2022.

If you received the first three stimulus payments, you have already gotten all the stimulus money the government distributed. No new stimulus checks are currently being sent, and there are no announced plans for additional rounds.

Key Takeaways

  • Three stimulus checks were issued between 2020 and 2022; no fourth check was ever sent.
  • SSDI recipients automatically received stimulus payments if their income fell below the threshold, without needing to file a separate form.
  • If you did not receive all three payments, you may have been able to claim them on your tax return for the years they were issued.
  • No new stimulus payments are currently being distributed by the federal government.

When the three stimulus checks were sent

The first stimulus check arrived in spring 2020 as part of the CARES Act. Most SSDI recipients received $1,200 per adult and $500 per child without taking any action.

The second check came in early 2021 under the COVID Relief Act. SSDI recipients again received payments automatically based on their Social Security records, with amounts of $600 per adult and $600 per child.

The third check was distributed starting in March 2022 through the American Rescue Plan. This payment was $1,400 per adult and $1,400 per child. Like the first two, it went to SSDI recipients automatically if they met income limits.

Why SSDI recipients got stimulus checks automatically

Social Security keeps records of who receives SSDI benefits and their income level. The government used these existing records to identify who may have access to for each stimulus payment, rather than requiring people to file a separate form or request.

Because SSDI recipients typically have low incomes, most may have access to for the full payment amount. The income threshold for receiving the full stimulus was high enough that the vast majority of people on SSDI fell below it. This meant you did not have to do anything to receive the money—it was deposited directly into your bank account or sent by check automatically.

What to do if you did not receive all three payments

If you were on SSDI during 2020, 2021, or 2022 but did not receive one or more stimulus checks, you had the option to claim the missing amounts on your federal tax return for that year. This was done through a form called the Recovery Rebate Credit.

The important date to claim stimulus payments on your tax return has now passed. If you missed the important date and did not receive a payment you believe you were owed, you can contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 to ask about your specific situation. Have your Social Security number and tax return information ready when you call.

How stimulus checks were different from SSDI benefits

Stimulus checks were one-time payments sent to millions of Americans, not just people on SSDI. They were separate from your regular SSDI benefit amount and did not affect your monthly payments going forward.

Unlike SSDI, which is a monthly benefit you receive as long as you meet the program's requirements, stimulus checks were temporary relief measures created in response to the pandemic. Your SSDI payments continued at the same level before, during, and after the stimulus checks were sent. The stimulus money was in addition to what you normally received each month.

Current payment programs for SSDI recipients

If you are looking for additional financial support beyond your regular SSDI benefit, there are other programs that may help. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a separate program that provides additional monthly payments to people with disabilities who have very low income and resources. Some people receive both SSDI and SSI at the same time.

Your state may also offer additional information programs for people with disabilities, including food support, housing help, and utility information. Contact your local Social Security office or your state's disability services agency to learn what programs are available where you live. Many states have programs specifically designed to help people with disabilities cover costs that SSDI alone does not cover.

Why Congress has not authorized a fourth stimulus check

After the third stimulus payment in 2022, Congress did not pass legislation to create additional rounds. The decision to end stimulus payments reflected changing economic conditions and shifts in policy priorities among lawmakers.

For a fourth stimulus check to be sent, Congress would need to pass new legislation specifically authorizing it and appropriating the funds. No such bill has been introduced, and there are no current plans to create another round of stimulus payments. If economic circumstances change significantly in the future, Congress could theoretically consider new stimulus legislation, but this would require a new vote and presidential signature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Could a fourth stimulus check be sent in the future?

Congress would need to pass new legislation to authorize additional stimulus payments. There are no current plans for a fourth round, and no bill has been introduced in Congress to create one. If circumstances change, any new stimulus would likely follow a similar process to the first three checks.

Do I have to pay back the stimulus checks I received?

No. Stimulus checks were not loans and do not need to be repaid. They were one-time payments from the federal government and had no effect on your SSDI benefits or your tax liability.

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

If you received a payment in error, the IRS may contact you about it. If you have already spent the money, you can work out a payment plan with the IRS. Contact them at 1-800-829-1040 to discuss your situation.

Are stimulus checks counted as income for SSDI purposes?

No. The stimulus checks were specifically excluded from being counted as income that would reduce your SSDI benefit. Receiving a stimulus payment did not lower your monthly SSDI amount.