No fourth stimulus check has been issued to SSDI recipients

The federal government has not authorized a fourth round of stimulus payments. Three rounds were issued: the first in spring 2020 ($1,200 per person), the second in December 2020 ($600 per person), and the third in March 2021 ($1,400 per person). SSDI recipients who met the income and filing requirements received those payments automatically—the Social Security Administration sent them to the same account or address where beneficiaries receive their regular monthly benefits.

Since March 2021, no additional stimulus payments have been approved by Congress. Proposals for further rounds have been introduced but not passed into law. If a fourth round were authorized in the future, SSDI recipients would likely be included using the same mechanism as before: automatic payment through Social Security's existing payment systems.

Key Takeaways

  • Three stimulus rounds were issued between 2020 and 2021; no fourth round has been authorized or paid.
  • SSDI recipients received prior stimulus payments automatically if they filed a tax return or were already in the Social Security system.
  • Future stimulus payments, if Congress approves them, would follow the same automatic distribution method.
  • Scams claiming to help you "claim" a fourth stimulus check are common; the government does not charge fees for stimulus money.

How the three stimulus rounds reached SSDI recipients

Each of the three stimulus payments was distributed by the IRS and Social Security Administration working together. SSDI recipients did not need to take any action to receive the money—it was deposited directly into their bank account or mailed as a check, depending on how they normally receive their benefits.

The first round (Economic Impact Payment, March 2020) and second round (December 2020) required either a filed tax return from 2019 or 2018, or enrollment in Social Security or Veterans Affairs. SSDI recipients automatically may have access to because they were already in the Social Security system. The third round (March 2021) used the same approach but also accepted 2020 tax returns.

People who did not receive a payment they believed they were owed could file a form with their tax return the following year. The IRS called this the Recovery Rebate Credit. This option is no longer available for the 2020 and 2021 payments.

Why scams targeting stimulus checks remain common

Fraudsters continue to contact people claiming they can help retrieve a "missing" fourth stimulus check or that they need to "verify" information to release payment. These are scams. The government does not call, text, or email people asking for personal information, bank details, or fees in order to send stimulus money.

Common red flags include requests for your Social Security number, bank account information, or payment upfront. Legitimate government payments never require you to pay money to receive them. If you receive such a contact, do not respond and report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

What would happen if Congress authorized a fourth stimulus payment

If lawmakers passed legislation creating a fourth round of stimulus payments, the distribution method would almost certainly mirror the first three rounds. SSDI recipients would receive payment automatically without filing anything or contacting anyone. The Social Security Administration would coordinate with the IRS to identify who qualifies based on income thresholds and filing status, then deposit or mail the payment.

Any future stimulus would be announced through official government channels: the IRS website (irs.gov), the Social Security Administration website (ssa.gov), and official news releases. You would not need to "claim" it or take action. If you see a website or advertisement urging you to act now to find a stimulus payment, it is not legitimate.

Distinguishing stimulus checks from other SSDI-related payments

SSDI recipients sometimes receive other one-time payments that are not stimulus checks. These include cost-of-living adjustments (COLA), which are annual increases to the monthly benefit amount, and retroactive benefit payments when a claim is approved. Neither of these is a stimulus check, and neither requires you to do anything to receive it.

If you receive an unexpected payment from Social Security and are unsure what it is, contact the Social Security Administration directly at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local Social Security office. Do not rely on phone numbers or websites from search results or advertisements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Could a fourth stimulus check be coming soon?

Congress has not passed legislation authorizing a fourth round. Proposals are introduced regularly but have not advanced to law. There is no announced timeline or confirmed plan for additional stimulus payments.

If I missed one of the first three stimulus checks, can I still get it?

The Recovery Rebate Credit, which allowed people to claim missed stimulus payments on their tax return, expired. You can no longer file for the 2020 or 2021 payments. If you believe you were owed a payment and did not receive it, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or visit irs.gov.

Do I have to do anything to receive a stimulus check if one is issued?

No. If Congress authorizes another round, the Social Security Administration and IRS will distribute it automatically to people who meet the criteria. You will not need to explore, call, or provide information.

What should I do if someone contacts me about a fourth stimulus check?

Hang up or do not respond. The government does not contact people by phone, text, or email to offer stimulus payments. Report the contact to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.