SSDI Recipients Are Not Receiving a New Stimulus Check in 2024

There is no stimulus check being sent to SSDI recipients in 2024. The last federal stimulus payments went out in 2021, and Congress has not authorized new ones. If you received a letter or email claiming you can get a stimulus check this year, it is likely a scam.

SSDI recipients sometimes receive notices about stimulus checks years after the payments ended, or scammers send fake notices asking for personal information or fees. The Social Security Administration does not charge you to receive benefits or stimulus payments, and it does not ask for your bank details by email or phone.

If you are looking for financial help because your SSDI payment is not enough, there are other programs that may provide support. Understanding what is real and what is a scam protects your money and your identity.

Key Takeaways

  • No stimulus checks are being sent to SSDI recipients in 2024; the last federal stimulus payments were in 2021.
  • Scammers send fake stimulus notices to SSDI recipients asking for personal information, bank details, or upfront fees — the Social Security Administration never does this.
  • If you see a stimulus offer online or by mail in 2024, verify it by calling Social Security directly at 1-800-772-1213 rather than using a number in the notice.
  • SSDI recipients who need additional income support may be able to access Supplemental Security Income (SSI), food information, or housing programs instead.

How to Spot a Fake Stimulus Notice

Scammers use official-looking letters, emails, and text messages to trick SSDI recipients. A real notice from Social Security will never ask you to confirm your Social Security number, bank account, or password by email, text, or phone. Social Security already has this information on file.

Fake notices often promise a large payment, ask you to click a link or call a number in the message, or request an upfront fee to "unlock" your check. Some scammers pose as tax preparers or government workers and claim you need to act when ready. If you are unsure whether a notice is real, do not click any links or call any number in the message. Instead, call Social Security directly at 1-800-772-1213 and ask whether the notice is legitimate.

Real stimulus checks from the federal government are deposited directly into your bank account or mailed as a paper check — you do not have to do anything to receive them. If a notice tells you to pay money, provide a code, or verify information to get your check, it is a scam.

What Happened to the Last Stimulus Checks

The federal government sent three rounds of stimulus payments between March 2020 and December 2021. SSDI recipients received these payments automatically if they had filed a tax return or received benefits from Social Security, Veterans Affairs, or the Railroad Retirement Board. Most payments were $600 to $1,400 per person, depending on the round and your income.

These payments ended in 2021. Congress has not passed any new stimulus legislation since then, and there are no plans to send additional checks in 2024. If you did not receive a stimulus payment you believe you were owed, you could have claimed it on your 2021 tax return using the Recovery Rebate Credit, but that important date has passed.

Other Financial Help for SSDI Recipients

If your SSDI payment is not covering your expenses, several programs may help. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a separate program that provides additional monthly payments to people with disabilities who have limited income and resources. You must have less than $2,000 in savings (or $3,000 if you are married) to may have access to. SSI is not automatic — you must explore through Social Security.

SNAP (food information) helps pay for groceries and is available to most SSDI recipients. Your state's SNAP office determines whether you may have access to based on your income. LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy information Program) helps pay heating and cooling bills and is run by your state. Section 8 housing vouchers help pay rent and have long waiting lists in most areas, but your local public housing authority can tell you how to get on the list.

Your state may also offer disability-specific programs for transportation, job training, or work incentives that let you earn money without losing your SSDI. Contact your state's vocational rehabilitation agency or your local Social Security office to learn what is available where you live.

How to Report a Scam

If you receive a fake stimulus notice, report it to the Social Security Administration's Office of Inspector General. You can file a report online at oig.ssa.gov or call 1-800-269-0271. Include the date you received the notice, how it came to you (email, text, mail, phone), and what it asked you to do.

You can also report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. If the scam came by email, forward it to phishing@irs.gov. If you gave the scammer your personal information, place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) by calling 1-888-397-3742. This makes it harder for someone to open accounts in your name.

What to Do If You Think You Missed a Real Stimulus Payment

If you believe you should have received a stimulus check in 2020 or 2021 but did not, you could have claimed the money on your tax return. The important date to claim the 2020 and 2021 stimulus payments on your tax return was April 15, 2022. That important date has passed, and you cannot claim those payments now.

If you filed a tax return for 2021 and claimed the Recovery Rebate Credit but did not receive the money, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and a copy of your 2021 tax return ready. The IRS can tell you whether the payment was sent and where it went.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can SSDI recipients get a stimulus check in 2024?

No. The last stimulus checks were sent in 2021. Congress has not authorized new stimulus payments, and there are no plans to send them in 2024. If you see an offer for a stimulus check this year, it is a scam.

What should I do if I got a letter about a stimulus check in 2024?

Do not click any links or call any number in the letter. Call Social Security directly at 1-800-772-1213 and ask whether the letter is real. If Social Security says it is fake, report it to the Social Security Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov or 1-800-269-0271.

I gave a scammer my Social Security number. What do I do now?

Call the three major credit bureaus at 1-888-397-3742 and place a fraud alert on your credit file. This makes it harder for someone to open accounts in your name. Monitor your credit report for accounts you did not open. You can get a free credit report once a year at annualcreditreport.com.

Are there other programs that give money to SSDI recipients?

Yes. SSI provides additional monthly payments if you have low savings. SNAP helps pay for food. LIHEAP helps pay heating and cooling bills. Section 8 helps pay rent. Contact your state's benefits office or your local Social Security office to learn which programs you may be able to use.

What if I did not get a stimulus check in 2021 and I think I should have?

You could have claimed it on your 2021 tax return, but that important date was April 15, 2022. If you filed a return and claimed the Recovery Rebate Credit but did not receive the money, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with your Social Security number and filing status ready.