SSDI recipients did not receive a separate stimulus check in 2023

There was no stimulus payment issued to SSDI recipients in 2023. The three rounds of stimulus checks sent during the pandemic — in 2020 and 2021 — ended after the third payment in March 2021. No fourth stimulus check was authorized by Congress, and no new stimulus program launched in 2023.

If you received a stimulus check in 2023, it came from a different source: a state-level program, a tax refund, a child tax credit payment, or an advance on a different federal benefit. The confusion often happens because stimulus payments and other government payments can look similar on a bank statement.

SSDI recipients were treated the same as other benefit recipients during the stimulus rounds that did occur. If you received SSDI in 2020 or 2021, you likely received those stimulus payments automatically, without having to file a tax return or take any action.

Key Takeaways

  • No stimulus checks were issued in 2023 — the three rounds of pandemic stimulus ended in March 2021.
  • SSDI recipients who were on the rolls in 2020 and 2021 received the earlier stimulus payments automatically, without needing to explore.
  • If you received a payment in 2023 that you thought was a stimulus check, it likely came from a state program, a tax refund, or a different federal benefit.
  • You can check your stimulus payment history by creating an account on the IRS website or calling the IRS directly.

How SSDI recipients received the 2020 and 2021 stimulus checks

During the three stimulus rounds, SSDI recipients received payments automatically. The Social Security Administration had a list of all people receiving SSDI, and the Treasury Department used that list to send checks without requiring recipients to take any action.

The first stimulus check, authorized in March 2020, sent $1,200 to most adults. The second, in December 2020, sent $600. The third, in March 2021, sent $1,400. The exact amount varied based on income and filing status, but SSDI recipients generally received the full amount because their benefits are counted as income for stimulus purposes, and the income thresholds were high enough that most recipients fell within them.

If you were receiving SSDI during those periods and did not receive a stimulus check, the issue was usually a problem with your bank account information on file with Social Security, or a delay in processing. The IRS had a tool called "Get My Payment" that let people check the status of their checks and update their banking details if needed.

Why there is no 2023 stimulus check

Stimulus checks were a temporary response to the economic shock of the pandemic. Congress authorized three rounds of payments, and after the third round in March 2021, no additional stimulus legislation passed. The economic conditions that prompted the payments — widespread lockdowns, business closures, and mass unemployment — had changed by 2022 and 2023.

Some people have received notices or seen posts online claiming a new stimulus check is coming. These are almost always scams or misinformation. The IRS and Social Security Administration do not announce stimulus payments through email, text, or social media. If you see a post claiming a new stimulus is available, it is not from the government.

How to check if you received all your stimulus payments

If you want to verify that you received all three stimulus checks from 2020 and 2021, you can check your payment history on the IRS website. Go to irs.gov and look for the "Get My Payment" tool, or search for "stimulus check status." You will need to create a login or use an existing IRS account.

The tool shows the date each payment was sent, the amount, and the method of delivery — direct deposit, check, or debit card. If the IRS shows a payment was sent but you never received it, you can file a claim on your tax return or contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040.

Keep in mind that if you received SSDI in 2020 or 2021 but have since stopped receiving it, you may still have been sent a stimulus check at that time. The payments were based on your status when the check was issued, not on your current status.

State-level payments that may have arrived in 2023

Some states issued their own stimulus or relief payments in 2022 and 2023, separate from the federal stimulus checks. These varied widely by state — some sent checks to all residents, others to low-income households, and others to people in specific situations like renters or workers in certain industries.

If you received a payment in 2023 that you thought might be a stimulus check, check your state's revenue or treasury website to see if it ran a relief program. You can also contact your state representative's office, which often has information about state-level payments.

Other payments SSDI recipients may have received in 2023

SSDI recipients sometimes receive other payments that can be confused with stimulus checks. A cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, is added to SSDI benefits each year — in 2023, this was an 8.7 percent increase. If your SSDI payment went up in January 2023, that was the COLA, not a stimulus check.

You may also have received a tax refund, a child tax credit payment, or a payment from a state or local program. Any of these can appear as a deposit in your bank account and be mistaken for a stimulus check if you are not expecting it.

What to do if you think you are owed a stimulus payment

If you were receiving SSDI in 2020 or 2021 and believe you did not receive one or more of the three stimulus checks, you have options. You can file a claim on your federal tax return by requesting the Recovery Rebate Credit. This is done on Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR, and you can file even if you do not normally file taxes.

You can also contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 to ask about a missing payment. Have your Social Security number and the dates you were receiving SSDI ready when you call. The IRS can tell you whether a payment was sent and, if it was, where it went.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there any chance a fourth stimulus check will be issued in the future?

Congress would have to authorize a new stimulus program for that to happen. As of now, no such legislation has been proposed or passed. If economic conditions change significantly, Congress could consider it, but there is no current plan for another round of stimulus payments.

Do I have to report stimulus checks as income on my taxes?

No. Stimulus checks are not taxable income, and you do not report them on your tax return. They do not affect your SSDI benefits or your may be able to access for other means-tested programs.

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

You do not have to return it. The IRS has stated that stimulus payments are not subject to clawback — meaning the government will not ask for the money back even if you received a payment you were not may have access to to. This applies to all three rounds of stimulus checks.

Can I check my stimulus payment history without creating an IRS account?

You can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and speak to a representative who can look up your payment history. You will need your Social Security number and information about when you were receiving SSDI. Wait times can be long, so calling early in the day or later in the week may be faster.

If I did not receive a stimulus check, will it affect my SSDI benefits?

No. Missing a stimulus check does not change your SSDI benefits or your may be able to access. If you believe you are owed a payment, you can pursue a claim through the IRS, but your benefits will continue as normal regardless.