Whether SSDI recipients received 2024 stimulus checks

There was no federal stimulus check program in 2024. The last round of federal stimulus payments ended in 2021, when the American Rescue Plan distributed checks to most working people and some benefit recipients. If you received a letter or email in 2024 claiming you could get a stimulus check, it was almost certainly a scam.

SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) recipients were included in earlier stimulus rounds — 2020 and 2021 — but those programs have closed. The Social Security Administration does not send unsolicited notices about stimulus money, and the IRS does not contact people by email or text to offer payments.

What changed in 2024 was not stimulus checks but the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to SSDI benefit amounts. That is a separate, automatic process that happens once a year.

Key Takeaways

  • No federal stimulus check program existed in 2024; the last stimulus round was in 2021.
  • Scammers sent fake notices in 2024 claiming SSDI recipients could receive stimulus money — do not respond to unsolicited emails, texts, or calls about stimulus checks.
  • SSDI benefit amounts did increase in 2024 through the annual COLA adjustment, which is automatic and not a stimulus payment.
  • If you received a 2024 stimulus check offer, report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

How the 2020 and 2021 stimulus rounds worked for SSDI recipients

The three stimulus programs — the CARES Act (2020), the Consolidated Appropriations Act (2020), and the American Rescue Plan (2021) — sent checks to most people with Social Security income, including SSDI recipients. The payments were $1,200, $600, and $1,400 per person, respectively, with additional amounts for dependents.

SSDI recipients did not have to do anything to receive these checks. The IRS and Social Security Administration matched records automatically. Payments went to the bank account on file with Social Security, or by mail if no account was registered.

These programs ended in 2021. Congress has not passed a new stimulus program since then, and there is no pending legislation to create one.

Why scammers targeted SSDI recipients in 2024

Scammers know that SSDI recipients often have limited income and may not follow news closely, making them easier targets. In 2024, fraudsters sent emails, texts, and letters claiming that SSDI recipients could receive a "delayed" or "unclaimed" stimulus check by clicking a link or calling a number.

These messages are fake. The Social Security Administration and IRS do not contact people by email or text about money. They do not ask you to verify personal information online or over the phone in response to an unsolicited message.

If you clicked a link or provided information to one of these scams, contact your bank when ready and consider placing a fraud alert on your credit report through one of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion).

The 2024 COLA increase and how it differs from stimulus

In October 2023, the Social Security Administration announced a 3.2% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2024. This meant that SSDI benefit amounts increased automatically on January 1, 2024. The exact increase depended on your current benefit amount, but most recipients saw their monthly payment go up.

COLA is not a stimulus check or a one-time payment. It is a permanent increase to your monthly benefit that continues in future years (though the percentage changes annually based on inflation). You did not have to do anything to receive it — it happened automatically if you were receiving SSDI on January 1, 2024.

COLA adjustments happen every year, though the percentage varies. In 2025, for example, the adjustment was 2.5%. These increases are tied to the Consumer Price Index and are designed to help benefits keep pace with the cost of living.

How to spot and report stimulus check scams

Real government agencies never ask for personal information through unsolicited email, text, or phone calls. If you receive a message claiming you can get a stimulus check, assume it is a scam unless you initiated contact with the government agency yourself.

Warning signs include: a link you are asked to click, a request to verify your Social Security number or bank details, a phone number you are told to call, a sense of urgency ("act now" or "limited time"), and any mention of a fee to receive the money.

Report suspected scams to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov or by calling 1-877-438-4338. You can also report to the Social Security Administration's Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov or 1-800-269-0271.

What SSDI recipients should do if they think they missed a stimulus check

If you believe you should have received a stimulus check in 2020 or 2021 but did not, you could have claimed it on your tax return for that year. That window has closed — the IRS no longer accepts claims for stimulus payments from those years.

If you filed a tax return for 2020 or 2021 and claimed the stimulus credit but never received the money, contact the IRS directly. You can call 1-800-829-1040 or visit irs.gov and use the "Get Transcript" tool to see whether the credit was applied to your account.

Do not respond to any unsolicited message claiming to help you recover a missed stimulus check. These are scams.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a stimulus check coming in 2024 or 2025?

No. Congress has not passed a stimulus program since 2021, and there is no pending legislation to create one. If you see an ad or email claiming a stimulus check is coming, it is a scam.

I got a text saying I can claim a stimulus check — should I click the link?

No. The IRS and Social Security Administration do not contact people by text or email about stimulus money. Delete the message and do not click any links. If the message came from a number that looks official, report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Does the COLA increase count as a stimulus payment?

No. COLA is a permanent annual adjustment to your benefit amount, not a one-time payment. It is automatic and happens every year, though the percentage changes based on inflation.

What should I do if I already gave a scammer my Social Security number?

Contact your bank and credit card companies when ready to alert them to potential fraud. Place a fraud alert on your credit report by calling one of the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion). You can also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Can I get back money I sent to a stimulus check scam?

Recovering money from a scam is difficult. Contact your bank or payment service (PayPal, Western Union, etc.) right away to report the fraud. File a report with the Federal Trade Commission and the Social Security Administration's Office of Inspector General. Keep records of all communications with the scammer.