Who received the third stimulus check

The third stimulus check, sent in 2021, went to most people who filed a 2020 tax return showing income below certain thresholds. If you were on SSDI and filed taxes, you likely received it. If you were on SSDI and did not file taxes, you had to take an extra step to claim it.

The Social Security Administration did not automatically send checks to SSDI recipients who did not file taxes. Instead, those people had to register with the IRS using a straightforward online tool, or file a 2020 tax return even if they had no tax obligation. Many SSDI recipients missed this window because they did not know they had to act.

The payment amount was $1,400 per person. Married couples filing jointly could receive $2,800 if both met the income limits. Dependents under 17 also may have access to, receiving $1,400 each.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI recipients who filed a 2020 tax return received the third stimulus check automatically if their income was below the threshold.
  • SSDI recipients who did not file taxes had to register with the IRS or file a return to receive the payment, and many did not know this was required.
  • The payment was $1,400 per person, and the important date to claim it has passed.
  • If you did not receive the check and believe you should have, you can still file a 2020 tax return or check your payment status with the IRS.

Income limits for the third stimulus check

The third stimulus check went to single filers with income under $75,000, heads of household under $112,500, and married couples filing jointly under $150,000. SSDI income counts toward these limits, so some recipients with higher SSDI payments or other income may not have received the full amount or any payment at all.

If your income was above the limit, the payment reduced by $5 for every $100 over the threshold. For example, a single filer with $80,000 in income would have received a reduced payment rather than the full $1,400.

Many SSDI recipients fall well below these thresholds, so most may have access to. The income limit was based on your 2020 tax return or, if you did not file, information the IRS had on file from previous years.

What SSDI recipients had to do to get the check

If you filed a 2020 tax return before the IRS sent out the third round of checks, you did nothing. The payment arrived automatically by direct deposit, check, or debit card, depending on how you normally receive payments.

If you did not file a 2020 tax return and were not receiving other federal benefits like SSI or Veterans benefits, you had to register with the IRS using the Non-Filer Sign-Up Tool on IRS.gov. This tool was available from March 2021 through November 2021. You entered your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number, and the IRS used that information to send your payment.

If you missed the registration window, you could still file a 2020 tax return at any time. Filing a return, even if you owed no taxes, allowed the IRS to process your payment. Some people did this months or even years after the original important date and still received the check.

If you did not receive the third stimulus check

If you believe you should have received the third stimulus check but did not, you have options. First, check your payment status on the IRS website using the "Get My Payment" tool. This tool shows whether the IRS sent your payment, when it was sent, and how it was sent (direct deposit, check, or debit card).

If the tool shows the payment was sent but you never received it, contact your bank or check your mail carefully. Checks sometimes arrive weeks late, and direct deposits can be delayed by banking systems.

If the tool shows no payment was sent, or if you are unsure whether you received it, you can file a 2020 tax return now. When you file, include the Recovery Rebate Credit on your return. This credit claims the stimulus payment you did not receive. The IRS will then send you the money, usually within a few weeks of processing your return.

How the third stimulus check worked with other benefits

The third stimulus check did not reduce your SSDI benefits. Social Security did not count it as income for purposes of your monthly payment, and it did not affect your benefits going forward.

The check also did not affect Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is a different program from SSDI. However, SSI has strict rules about how much money you can have in the bank. If you received SSI and the stimulus check pushed your savings above the $2,000 limit for single people or $3,000 for couples, it could have affected your SSI payment in the following month. Many SSI recipients had to spend down the money or move it to a plan to preserve benefits (called an ABLE account or ITIN plan) to protect their benefits.

The stimulus check did not affect Medicare, Medicaid, or housing information programs either.

Checking whether you got the payment

The easiest way to know if you received the third stimulus check is to look at your bank account or check your mail from spring 2021. Direct deposits arrived in bank accounts between March and May 2021 for most people. Paper checks were mailed starting in mid-March 2021 and continued through the summer.

If you are unsure, use the IRS "Get My Payment" tool at irs.gov. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and street address. The tool tells you the exact date the payment was sent and how it was sent. If it shows a check was mailed, you can see the date and request a replacement if it never arrived.

You can also call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to ask about your payment status. Wait times are often long, but the IRS can look up your account and tell you what happened to the money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still claim the third stimulus check if I missed the important date?

Yes. You can file a 2020 tax return at any time and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit for the stimulus payment you did not receive. The IRS will send you the money once your return is processed, usually within a few weeks. There is no important date to file a return and claim this credit.

Did the stimulus check count as income for SSDI?

No. SSDI does not count stimulus payments as income, so the check did not reduce your monthly benefit. However, if you also receive SSI, the money could have affected your SSI payment if it pushed your savings above the limit, unless you moved it to a protected account.

What if I received the check but I think I should not have?

You do not have to return it. The IRS did not require people to repay stimulus checks, even if they later found out they did not meet the income requirements. Keep the money.

How do I know if the IRS sent my check to the wrong address?

Use the "Get My Payment" tool on irs.gov to see the address where your check was mailed. If it was sent to an old address, you can file a change of address with the post office and they will forward it. If the check is lost, you can request a replacement through the IRS website or by calling 1-800-829-1040.

What if I was on SSDI but also worked and earned income?

You still received the third stimulus check if your total income (SSDI plus work earnings) was below the threshold. The IRS looked at your total 2020 income from all sources when deciding whether to send the payment.