SSDI Recipients and Stimulus Check may be able to access
If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you can receive a stimulus check. SSDI is treated the same as regular Social Security retirement benefits for stimulus purposes — your disability status does not disqualify you, and you do not need to take any separate action beyond what other Social Security recipients do.
The key requirement is that you must have filed a federal tax return or be registered in the Social Security Administration's system. Most SSDI recipients meet this requirement automatically because SSA reports their information to the IRS. However, some people who receive SSDI but have never filed taxes may need to register with the IRS to receive a stimulus payment.
Stimulus checks have been issued in three rounds: 2020, 2021, and 2022. Each round had different income limits and payment amounts. If you missed a payment you were owed, you may still be able to claim it on your tax return for that year.
Key Takeaways
- SSDI recipients are treated the same as other Social Security beneficiaries for stimulus check purposes and do not face additional barriers to receiving payments.
- The IRS typically uses Social Security Administration records to identify SSDI recipients, so most people do not need to register separately.
- If you have never filed a tax return, you may need to register with the IRS using their Non-Filer tool to receive a stimulus payment.
- Stimulus payments issued in 2020, 2021, and 2022 can still be claimed on your tax return if you did not receive them at the time.
- Your SSDI payment amount does not affect your stimulus check amount — stimulus is based on income, not benefit type.
How the IRS Identifies SSDI Recipients for Stimulus Payments
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) receives a list of Social Security beneficiaries from the Social Security Administration each year. This list includes everyone receiving SSDI, retirement benefits, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The IRS uses this list to identify who is owed a stimulus payment without requiring you to file a separate form.
Because SSDI recipients are already in the Social Security system, the IRS has your address and tax identification number on file. This means the IRS can send your stimulus check by mail or deposit it directly to your bank account if you have provided direct deposit information to Social Security.
The only time this automatic process breaks down is if your address on file is outdated or if you have never filed a tax return and the IRS has no record of you. In those cases, you may not receive a payment unless you take action.
What to Do If You Never Filed a Tax Return
If you have never filed a federal tax return, the IRS may not have a record of you in their system. This is uncommon among SSDI recipients, but it can happen if your income has always been below the filing requirement or if you have never worked.
To register with the IRS and receive a stimulus payment you may have missed, use the IRS Non-Filer tool on the IRS website (irs.gov). This tool is designed specifically for people who do not normally file taxes but want to claim a stimulus payment or other credits. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and mailing address. The process takes about 15 minutes.
If you registered after the original payment important date for a particular stimulus round, you can claim the payment on your tax return for that year instead. For example, if you missed the 2021 stimulus, you can claim it on your 2021 tax return when you file.
Claiming a Missed Stimulus Payment on Your Tax Return
Each stimulus round had a important date for the IRS to send payments automatically. If you did not receive a payment by that important date and did not register with the IRS Non-Filer tool, you can still claim the money on your tax return.
The stimulus payment is claimed using a tax credit called the Recovery Rebate Credit. When you file your tax return for the year you missed the payment, you report how much stimulus you should have received and how much you actually got. The IRS then sends you the difference.
You will need to know the payment amount you were owed. For 2020, most adults received $1,200. For 2021, most adults received $1,400. For 2022, most adults received $1,200. Dependents received smaller amounts in each round. If you are unsure of your amount, you can check your IRS account online or call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.
Income Limits and Payment Amounts for Each Stimulus Round
| Stimulus Round | Year Issued | Payment Amount (Single) | Income Limit (Single) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First stimulus | 2020 | $1,200 | $75,000 |
| Second stimulus | 2021 | $600 | $75,000 |
| Third stimulus | 2022 | $1,200 | $75,000 |
SSDI recipients almost always fall below the income limit for stimulus payments. The income limit for a single person was $75,000 in all three rounds. Most SSDI recipients receive between $600 and $1,500 per month, which is well below this threshold.
If you are married and filing jointly, the income limit was $150,000. Dependents received $500 per payment in 2020 and $1,400 per payment in 2021 and 2022. If you had dependents, your total payment would have been higher.
What Happens If Your Address Changed Since You Started Receiving SSDI
If you moved and did not update your address with the Social Security Administration, the IRS may have mailed your stimulus check to your old address. The check may have been returned to the IRS as undeliverable.
To update your address with Social Security, call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office in person. You will need to bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease. Update your address as soon as possible so future payments reach you.
If your check was returned to the IRS, you can still claim the stimulus payment on your tax return. The IRS will send you the money when you file, or you can contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 to request a trace on the original check.
Direct Deposit and How to Set It Up With Social Security
The fastest way to receive a stimulus payment is through direct deposit. If you have set up direct deposit with Social Security for your SSDI payments, the IRS will use that same bank account to deposit your stimulus check.
If you do not have direct deposit set up, you can add it by visiting ssa.gov, calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, or visiting a local Social Security office. You will need your bank account number and routing number. Direct deposit typically takes 5 to 7 business days to set up.
Direct deposit is also safer than receiving a check by mail, because there is no risk of the check being lost or stolen. If you receive SSDI, setting up direct deposit is worth doing even if you have already received all your stimulus payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I lose my SSDI if I receive a stimulus check?
No. Stimulus checks are not counted as income for SSDI purposes. They do not affect your monthly payment amount, and they do not count toward the resource limits that could cause your benefits to stop. You can receive a stimulus check without any impact on your SSDI.
What if I received a stimulus check but I was not supposed to?
This is rare for SSDI recipients, since almost all fall below the income limit. If the IRS sent you a payment in error, they will contact you about it. Do not spend the money if you suspect it was sent by mistake. The IRS may ask you to return it or deduct it from future tax refunds.
Can I claim a stimulus payment if I did not file taxes that year?
Yes. You can file a tax return for that year solely to claim the stimulus payment, even if you normally do not file. You do not need to have earned income to file. The IRS will process your return and send you the stimulus money you are owed.
How long does it take to receive a stimulus check by mail?
The IRS mailed checks in batches over several weeks during each stimulus round. Checks typically arrived within 2 to 4 weeks of being mailed, but some took longer depending on postal delays. Direct deposit was faster, usually arriving within 1 to 2 weeks.
What if I am a representative payee for someone receiving SSDI?
If you manage SSDI benefits for another person as their representative payee, the stimulus check is sent to that person, not to you. The check goes to the beneficiary's address on file with Social Security. As the payee, you are responsible for managing the money on their behalf according to their needs.