SSDI and the 2023 Stimulus Checks

No new stimulus checks were sent to SSDI recipients in 2023. The federal government issued three rounds of stimulus payments during the COVID-19 pandemic—in 2020 and 2021—but did not distribute additional stimulus funds in 2023 or afterward. If you received SSDI payments, you were included in the earlier rounds if you met the income and filing requirements at that time.

The stimulus payments that did go out were one-time payments tied to specific legislation: the CARES Act (March 2020), the CRRSA Act (December 2020), and the American Rescue Plan (March 2021). Each round had different income thresholds and payment amounts. Once those programs ended, no further stimulus checks were authorized by Congress.

Key Takeaways

  • Three rounds of stimulus checks were distributed in 2020 and 2021, but no stimulus payments were issued in 2023.
  • SSDI recipients who met income limits in 2020 and 2021 received payments automatically or could claim them on their tax return.
  • If you did not receive a stimulus check you believed you were owed, the IRS allowed claims through the Recovery Rebate Credit on tax returns through April 2022.
  • No current federal stimulus program is in place, and there is no pending legislation that would send additional stimulus checks to SSDI recipients.

Who Received Stimulus Checks During the Pandemic

SSDI recipients were treated the same as other Americans for stimulus purposes. You received a payment if your income fell below the threshold set for that round and you had a valid Social Security number. The income limits were high enough that most SSDI recipients may have access to, since SSDI monthly payments are typically modest.

The Social Security Administration did not send stimulus checks directly. Instead, the U.S. Treasury and the IRS handled the payments. If you received SSDI and had filed a tax return in 2019 or 2020, the IRS had your banking information on file and deposited the money automatically. If you had not filed a return, you could claim the payment as a Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2020 or 2021 tax return.

Some SSDI recipients who did not file taxes and had no bank account on file with the IRS received a check by mail. The timeline for mailing varied by round, but most checks arrived within weeks of the announcement.

The Three Rounds of Stimulus Payments

The first stimulus round, authorized by the CARES Act in March 2020, sent $1,200 to most adults and $500 per child under 17. The second round, under the CRRSA Act in December 2020, sent $600 per adult and $600 per child. The third round, under the American Rescue Plan in March 2021, sent $1,400 per adult and $1,400 per child.

Each round used slightly different rules for who was included. The first round required a Social Security number and a filing requirement (either filing a 2019 return or receiving certain federal benefits). The second and third rounds were broader and included more people who had not filed recent tax returns. If you received SSI (Supplemental Security Income) or SSDI, you were automatically included in all three rounds without having to take any action.

What to Do If You Believe You Missed a Payment

If you think you should have received a stimulus check but did not, the window to claim it has closed for most people. The IRS allowed claims through the Recovery Rebate Credit, but the important date to file a 2020 tax return claiming the first two rounds was April 18, 2022. The important date to claim the third round on a 2021 return was April 18, 2023.

If you are past the important date, you cannot file a late claim for a stimulus check you did not receive. However, if you filed a return and claimed the credit but the IRS has not processed it, you can contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 to check the status. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the year in question ready when you call.

If you received a stimulus check but it was lost, stolen, or never cashed, you cannot request a replacement. The IRS considers the payment issued once it was sent or deposited. If a check was mailed to an old address, it may have been returned to the Treasury, and you would have needed to claim it on your tax return to recover the funds.

Why No Stimulus Checks in 2023

Congress did not pass any new stimulus legislation in 2023. The three rounds of payments were emergency measures tied to the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. By 2023, the federal government had shifted focus to other economic priorities, and there was no legislative consensus to authorize additional stimulus payments.

Some advocacy groups and lawmakers have proposed new stimulus or direct payment programs, but these have not become law. Any future stimulus would require a new act of Congress, which would need to pass both the House and Senate and be signed by the President. As of now, no such bill has advanced to that stage.

Current Support for SSDI Recipients

While stimulus checks are not available, SSDI recipients may be able to access other forms of support. These include food information through SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition information Program), utility information programs run by states and nonprofits, and housing support through local housing authorities. may be able to access for these programs depends on your income and state of residence.

If you are struggling financially, contact your local Area Agency on Aging or your state's benefits office to learn what programs may be available to you. You can also call 211 (a free helpline) to be connected to local resources in your area. These services are free and can help you find information you may not have known existed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still claim a stimulus check I didn't receive?

The important date to claim stimulus payments on your tax return has passed. If you filed a 2020 return by April 18, 2022, or a 2021 return by April 18, 2023, and claimed the Recovery Rebate Credit, the IRS may still be processing your claim. Call 1-800-829-1040 to check. If you missed the important date, you cannot file a late claim.

Did SSDI recipients get stimulus checks automatically?

Yes, in most cases. If you received SSDI and the IRS had your banking information on file, the payment was deposited automatically. If not, you received a check by mail or had to claim it on your tax return. You did not have to take any action to be included in the stimulus rounds.

What if I received a stimulus check but I wasn't supposed to?

The IRS is not actively pursuing repayment of stimulus checks from SSDI recipients. If you received a payment you believe was an error, you can contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to report it, but you are not required to return it. The government has prioritized other collection efforts.

Will there be more stimulus checks in the future?

There is no current legislation authorizing new stimulus payments. Any future stimulus would require Congress to pass a new law. While some lawmakers have proposed additional payments, none have advanced to a vote as of now.

Where can I find help if I need money now?

Call 211 or visit 211.org to find local information programs for food, utilities, housing, and other needs. You can also contact your state's benefits office or local Area Agency on Aging. Many programs do not require you to have received stimulus checks and are based on current income and need.