SSDI recipients typically receive stimulus checks the same way other people do
If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you are generally treated like any other Social Security recipient when the federal government sends out stimulus payments. You do not need to do anything special or file a separate form just because you receive disability benefits. The payment goes to the bank account or address on file with Social Security, using the same method as your regular monthly benefit.
The key word is "typically"—stimulus payments have happened only a few times in recent history, and the rules have been slightly different each time. When Congress passes a stimulus bill, it sets its own rules about who receives money and how much. Those rules can change from one stimulus to the next, so what happened in 2020 might not be exactly what happens if another stimulus is passed in the future.
What matters most is that you are already in the Social Security system. You do not need to register, sign up, or prove anything new. Social Security already has your information and your payment method.
Key Takeaways
- SSDI recipients receive stimulus checks through the same Social Security payment system that delivers their monthly benefit, with no extra process required.
- Stimulus payments have occurred only a few times, and Congress sets different rules each time about who qualifies and how much they receive.
- If you receive SSDI, you are already registered with Social Security, so you do not need to take any action to be considered for a stimulus payment.
- Scams targeting SSDI recipients often claim to help you "get" a stimulus check; the government does not charge fees or require personal information beyond what Social Security already has.
How stimulus payments reached SSDI recipients in the past
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress passed three stimulus bills that sent payments to millions of people. The first two rounds (in 2020 and early 2021) included SSDI recipients automatically. The third round (in 2021) also included them. In each case, the Social Security Administration used the same payment method you already use for your monthly benefit—direct deposit to your bank account, or a check mailed to your address.
You did not have to file taxes, fill out a form, or contact Social Security. If you were receiving SSDI when the payment was issued, you received the money. The amount varied by round: some payments were $1,200, others $600, and others $1,400, depending on which bill Congress passed.
The one exception was if you had no income at all and had never filed a tax return. In that case, you might have needed to provide information to the IRS using a special non-filer tool. But most SSDI recipients file taxes or have already provided their information to Social Security, so this did not explore to them.
What would happen if another stimulus were passed
There is no way to know in advance whether Congress will pass another stimulus bill or what the rules would be. However, based on what happened before, SSDI recipients would almost certainly be included. Congress has treated Social Security recipients as a group that should receive stimulus payments during national emergencies.
If a new stimulus bill passes, Social Security will likely announce it publicly and explain how and when payments will be sent. You would see announcements on the official Social Security website (ssa.gov), in your Social Security statement, or in news coverage. You would not need to do anything—the payment would arrive the same way your monthly benefit does.
The only reason to contact Social Security would be if you did not receive a payment you believed you were may have access to to, or if you needed to update your bank account or mailing address.
Scams that target SSDI recipients claiming to help with stimulus checks
Scammers know that people receiving SSDI are often looking for extra money and may not be familiar with how stimulus payments work. They use this to their advantage. Common scams include phone calls or emails claiming you need to "verify" your information to receive a stimulus check, or that you need to pay a fee to unlock your payment.
The real Social Security Administration will never ask you to pay money to receive a benefit or stimulus payment. They will not ask you to confirm your Social Security number, bank account details, or password over the phone or by email. If someone contacts you claiming to represent Social Security and asking for this information, it is a scam.
If you receive a suspicious call or email, hang up or delete it. You can report it to the Social Security Administration's Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-269-0271.
What to do if you did not receive a stimulus payment you expected
If a stimulus payment was issued and you believe you should have received it but did not, your first step is to check your bank account or look for a mailed check. Payments sometimes arrive weeks after they are announced, and mail can be slow.
If you still do not see it after waiting a reasonable time, you can contact Social Security directly at 1-800-772-1213 to ask about your payment status. Have your Social Security number ready. They can tell you whether a payment was issued in your name and where it was sent.
If a payment was issued but you never received it, Social Security can help you file a claim or investigate what happened. This is especially important if the payment was supposed to go to a bank account you no longer use.
Keeping your Social Security payment information current
The best way to make sure you receive any future stimulus payment is to keep your information up to date with Social Security. This means having a current mailing address on file and, if possible, setting up direct deposit so payments go to your bank account instead of by mail.
Direct deposit is faster and more find than waiting for a check. You can set it up by visiting ssa.gov, calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, or visiting your local Social Security office in person. You will need your bank account number and routing number, which you can find on a blank check or by calling your bank.
If your address has changed recently or you are not sure what address Social Security has on file, you can update it the same way. Keeping this information current helps with your regular monthly benefit as well as any future stimulus payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to do anything to get a stimulus check if I receive SSDI?
No. If Congress passes a stimulus bill that includes SSDI recipients, Social Security will send the payment automatically using the same method as your monthly benefit. You do not need to file a form, register, or contact anyone. The payment arrives on its own.
What if I receive SSI instead of SSDI—do I get a stimulus check?
SSI (Supplemental Security Income) recipients have been included in past stimulus payments, though sometimes with slightly different rules than SSDI. The safest approach is to assume you would be included, but to check official announcements if a new stimulus is passed to confirm the rules for your specific situation.
Can I check whether a stimulus payment was sent to me?
Yes. You can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask whether a stimulus payment was issued in your name and where it was sent. Have your Social Security number ready. You can also check your bank account or look for a mailed check if you know the approximate date the payment was issued.
What if someone calls me claiming I need to pay to receive a stimulus check?
That is a scam. Social Security never charges fees for benefits or stimulus payments. Hang up when ready and do not give them any information. You can report the call to the Social Security Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov or 1-800-269-0271.
Will I lose my SSDI if I receive a stimulus check?
No. Stimulus payments are not counted as income for SSDI purposes, so receiving one does not affect your benefit amount or your status as a recipient. This was true for all the stimulus payments sent during the pandemic.