How the IRS Sends Stimulus Payments to SSDI Recipients

If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), the IRS sends your stimulus check using the same method it uses to deposit your regular SSDI payment. Most SSDI recipients get their money by direct deposit into a bank account. If you have set up direct deposit with Social Security, the stimulus arrives the same way—no separate action needed on your part.

The IRS does not know you receive SSDI by looking at your SSDI account. It knows because you filed a tax return, or because Social Security reported your information to the IRS through a data match. The IRS then uses whatever banking information is on file with the Social Security Administration to send the payment.

If you do not have direct deposit set up, the IRS mails a paper check to the address Social Security has on file for you. This takes longer—typically two to three weeks after the IRS processes your payment—and the check can be lost or delayed in the mail.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI recipients who have direct deposit receive stimulus checks deposited automatically into the same bank account as their monthly SSDI payment.
  • If you do not have direct deposit, the IRS mails a paper check to your address on file with Social Security, which takes longer and carries the risk of mail delay.
  • You do not need to take any action to receive a stimulus check if you are already receiving SSDI—the IRS handles the routing automatically.
  • If your stimulus payment does not arrive within the expected timeframe, you can check the status using the IRS Get My Payment tool or contact Social Security to verify your banking information is current.

Setting Up Direct Deposit to Speed Payment

Direct deposit is the fastest way to receive a stimulus check. If you do not yet have it set up with Social Security, you can add it before the next stimulus round or for future payments.

To set up direct deposit, contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask to add or update your banking information. You will need your bank's routing number and your account number. Social Security can also help you set this up online through your my Social Security account at ssa.gov.

Once direct deposit is active, the IRS will use that account for any future stimulus payments. The change typically takes effect within one to two weeks, though Social Security recommends allowing up to four weeks to be safe.

What Happens If You Move or Change Banks

If you moved and did not update your address with Social Security, a paper check will go to your old address. The check may be returned to the IRS as undeliverable, which delays your payment.

Update your address with Social Security as soon as you move. You can do this by phone at 1-800-772-1213, in person at your local Social Security office, or online through my Social Security. Updating your address takes effect when ready for mail purposes, though the IRS may have already processed your stimulus check by the time the change goes through.

If you changed banks and your old account is closed, a direct deposit attempt may fail. The IRS will then mail a paper check to your address on file. Contact Social Security to update your banking information if you switch banks.

Checking the Status of Your Stimulus Payment

The IRS provides a tool called Get My Payment at irs.gov that shows whether your stimulus check has been processed and when it will arrive. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and street address to use it.

The tool updates once per day, usually overnight. If it says your payment is pending, check back the next day. If it says your payment was sent by mail, it typically arrives within two to three weeks of the send date shown in the tool.

If the tool shows no record of a payment after the stimulus important date has passed, or if you believe you should have received one but did not, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to speak with a representative. Have your Social Security number and tax return information ready.

If Your Stimulus Check Never Arrives

If a paper check was mailed but you never received it, you can request a replacement. Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and report the missing check. The IRS will investigate whether the check was cashed. If it was not, they will issue a replacement, usually within four to six weeks.

If the check was cashed but you did not receive the money, you will need to contact your bank to investigate. The bank can tell you which account it was deposited into and help you trace it.

If the IRS has no record of sending you a payment at all, ask them to review your case. This sometimes happens if the IRS did not have your current address or banking information. The IRS can issue a payment once they verify you are may have access to to one.

Stimulus Checks and Your SSDI Benefits

Receiving a stimulus check does not reduce your monthly SSDI payment. Stimulus payments are not counted as income for SSDI purposes, and they do not affect your benefits in any way.

Stimulus checks also do not count toward the resource limit for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a different program from SSDI. However, if you receive SSI, the rules are different—stimulus checks are excluded from SSI resource limits for a limited time. If you receive SSI and are unsure how a stimulus check affects your case, contact Social Security to ask.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to do anything to get my stimulus check if I receive SSDI?

No. If you are already receiving SSDI, the IRS has your information and will send your stimulus check automatically using your direct deposit account or by mail to your address on file. You do not need to contact anyone or take any action.

What if I have not filed a tax return in several years?

The IRS can still send you a stimulus check based on information Social Security reports about your SSDI benefits. However, if you have not filed a return and the IRS does not have your current address or banking information, you may receive a paper check or no payment at all. Updating your address with Social Security helps may support the IRS has the right place to send it.

Can I get my stimulus check deposited into a different bank account than my SSDI payment?

No. The IRS uses the banking information on file with Social Security for stimulus payments. If you want your stimulus to go to a different account, you would need to change your SSDI direct deposit account, which would also change where your monthly SSDI payment goes. Most people keep the same account for both.

How long does it take to receive a stimulus check by mail?

The IRS typically mails stimulus checks within one to two weeks of processing your case. Once mailed, a check takes two to three weeks to arrive through the postal service. Total time from processing to receipt is usually four to five weeks, though delays can extend this.

What if my stimulus check was sent to my old address?

Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and report that you moved. The IRS can reissue your check to your current address. You can also file a claim with the postal service to intercept the check if it has not yet been delivered, though this is difficult and rarely successful. Updating your address with Social Security when ready prevents this problem for future payments.