There was no fourth stimulus check issued by the federal government
The U.S. government issued three rounds of stimulus payments during the COVID-19 pandemic: one in 2020, one in early 2021, and one in mid-2021. No fourth round of federal stimulus checks was sent to the general public, including people receiving SSDI. If you received a payment after mid-2021 that looked like a stimulus check, it came from a different source — usually a state program or a tax refund.
Some states did create their own stimulus or relief programs using federal funds, and a few of those programs did send payments to SSDI recipients. These were separate from the three federal rounds and varied widely by state. The payments, timing, and who received them depended entirely on which state you lived in and what that state chose to do with its funds.
Key Takeaways
- The federal government sent three stimulus checks during the pandemic — in April 2020, January 2021, and July 2021 — and no fourth federal round was issued.
- Some states created their own relief payments using federal COVID funds, and a few included SSDI recipients, but these were not federal stimulus checks.
- If you think you missed a stimulus check you were owed, you can check the IRS website or contact the IRS directly to confirm what you received.
- SSDI recipients were included in all three federal stimulus rounds if they filed taxes or received SSI, though some people missed payments due to banking or address issues.
The three federal stimulus checks that were actually sent
The first stimulus check was mailed starting in April 2020. Most adults received $1,200, and families received $500 per child. The second check went out in January 2021 and was $600 per person, plus $600 per child. The third check began in March 2021 and was $1,400 per person, plus $1,400 per child.
SSDI recipients were included in all three rounds if they had filed a tax return in 2019 or 2020, or if they received Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in addition to SSDI. Some people on SSDI who did not file taxes and did not receive SSI had to register with the IRS using a special non-filer tool to receive the payments. The IRS created this tool specifically because many people on fixed incomes do not file annual tax returns.
If you did not receive one of these three checks and believe you should have, the IRS has a tool called the "Get My Payment" portal where you can check the status of each payment. You can also call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to ask about a specific check.
State-level payments that some SSDI recipients received
After the federal stimulus rounds ended, several states used remaining COVID relief funds to send additional payments to residents. California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, and a handful of other states sent checks or direct deposits to various groups, including some SSDI recipients. These were not federal stimulus checks — they were state programs with their own rules about who received money and how much.
For example, some states sent payments only to people earning below a certain income threshold. Others sent payments to all residents regardless of income. A few states specifically targeted SSDI and SSI recipients as a group. The amounts ranged from a few hundred dollars to over $1,000, depending on the state and the program.
These state payments typically happened between late 2021 and 2023. If you lived in a state that ran one of these programs and think you should have received a payment, you can contact your state's revenue or treasury department to ask about it. Your state's website should list any relief programs that were offered.
Why some people on SSDI missed the federal stimulus checks
Even though SSDI recipients were included in all three federal rounds, some people did not receive their checks. The most common reasons were: the IRS had an outdated address on file, the person's bank account information was incorrect, or the person did not register as a non-filer when required.
If you did not receive a check you were owed, you had the option to claim it on your tax return for that year. For example, if you missed the 2021 stimulus check, you could claim the "Recovery Rebate Credit" on your 2021 tax return. The IRS allowed people to do this for several years after each payment round.
If you are past the important date to claim a missed stimulus check on your taxes, you can still contact the IRS to ask about it. They can sometimes issue a payment or credit even after the normal important date, though this depends on your specific situation.
How to check what stimulus payments you received
The IRS "Get My Payment" tool lets you see the status and amount of each of the three federal stimulus checks. You can access it on the IRS website by entering your Social Security number, date of birth, and street address. The tool will show you whether each check was mailed, deposited to a bank account, or issued as a debit card.
If the tool shows that a check was sent but you never received it, the next step depends on how it was sent. If it was mailed, it may have been lost in the mail — you can ask the IRS to issue a replacement. If it was deposited to a bank account, the money may have gone to an old account you no longer use. If it was issued as a debit card, the card may have been lost or the account may have been closed.
You can also call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to speak with someone about a missing payment. Have your Social Security number and tax return information ready when you call. Wait times can be long, especially during tax season, but the IRS can look up your specific payment history.
Scams claiming to offer a fourth stimulus check
Because there was no fourth federal stimulus check, any message or website claiming to help you "find" or "claim" a fourth check is a scam. Scammers have used fake stimulus check offers to steal personal information, bank account details, and Social Security numbers from people looking for money.
The IRS does not contact people by email, text, or phone to tell them about stimulus checks. The IRS does not ask you to pay money to receive a stimulus check. If someone contacts you claiming to represent the government and asking for payment or personal information in exchange for a stimulus check, it is a scam.
If you see a scam offer, you can report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to your state's attorney general's office.
What to do if you think you are owed money from the pandemic
If you believe you missed a federal stimulus check, start by checking the IRS "Get My Payment" tool or calling the IRS. If you missed a state-level payment, contact your state's revenue or treasury department. Both can tell you whether a payment was issued and where it went.
If you missed a payment and the important date to claim it on your taxes has passed, you can still contact the IRS or your state to ask about it. Explain what happened — for example, if your address was wrong or your bank account was closed. The government sometimes issues replacement payments or credits in these situations, though it is not may provide.
Keep any documentation you have, such as letters from the IRS, bank statements showing where payments were deposited, or proof of your address at the time the checks were sent. This information can help if you need to dispute a missing payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a fourth stimulus check if I missed the first three?
No fourth federal stimulus check was issued. If you missed one of the three that were sent, you may still be able to claim it on your taxes or contact the IRS for a replacement, but there is no new round of payments to receive.
Do I have to pay taxes on the stimulus checks I received?
No. The stimulus checks were not taxable income, and you do not have to report them on your tax return. They do not affect your SSDI benefits or your SSI benefits either.
What if I received a stimulus check but I am not sure which one it was?
Use the IRS "Get My Payment" tool to see all three payments sent to you. It will show the date each check was issued and how much you received. If you are unsure how to use the tool, you can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.
Did my state send a fourth stimulus check that I missed?
Some states sent relief payments after the federal rounds ended, but not all states did and not all of them included SSDI recipients. Check your state's revenue or treasury department website to see what programs were offered in your state.
If I missed a stimulus check years ago, can I still get it?
You may be able to claim it on your tax return for the year it was issued, or you can contact the IRS to ask about a replacement. The IRS sometimes issues payments after the important date, though it depends on your situation. Call 1-800-829-1040 to ask.