SSDI recipients did not receive a fourth stimulus check

There was no fourth round of Economic Impact Payments. The federal government issued three stimulus checks during the COVID-19 pandemic: in 2020, 2021, and 2021. SSDI recipients who met the income and filing status rules received all three payments automatically, but no fourth payment was authorized by Congress after the third round ended in December 2021.

The confusion around a potential fourth check stems from ongoing discussions in Congress about additional pandemic relief. Some lawmakers proposed further stimulus measures, but none passed both chambers and became law. SSDI recipients should not expect a fourth check, and any website or person claiming to help you obtain one is not describing a real program.

Key Takeaways

  • Three stimulus checks were issued during the pandemic: March 2020, December 2020, and March 2021.
  • SSDI recipients received these payments automatically if their income fell below the threshold for their filing status.
  • No fourth stimulus payment was authorized by Congress, and none is currently planned.
  • If you did not receive one of the three payments you believe you were owed, the IRS has a process to claim it on your tax return.

How the three stimulus payments worked for SSDI recipients

SSDI recipients were treated the same as other Social Security beneficiaries for stimulus purposes. You did not need to file a tax return or take any action to receive the payment. The Social Security Administration sent the money directly to your bank account or mailed a check if you had no account on file.

The three payments were: $1,200 in March 2020, $600 in December 2020, and $1,400 in March 2021. The amount you received depended on your adjusted gross income from your most recent tax return. If your income was below $75,000 (single) or $150,000 (married filing jointly), you received the full amount. The payment reduced by $5 for every $100 over that threshold.

Because SSDI is not taxable income, most SSDI recipients had very low adjusted gross income and received the full payment each time. If you had other income—from work, a pension, or investments—that income was counted toward the threshold.

What to do if you did not receive a stimulus payment

If you believe you should have received one or more of the three stimulus payments but did not, you can claim the payment on your federal tax return. The IRS calls this the Recovery Rebate Credit. You claim it on Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR, even if you normally do not file a return.

To claim the credit, you will need to know the payment dates and amounts. The IRS website has a tool called "Get My Payment" that shows the status of each of your three payments. You can also call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to ask about a specific payment.

If you file your own return, you can claim the credit yourself. If you use a tax preparer or a free tax preparation service (such as VITA, which is free for people with low income), they can help you claim it. The important date to claim the credit is the same as the important date to file your return for that year, which is typically April 15 of the following year, though the IRS may grant extensions.

Why there was no fourth stimulus check

After the third stimulus payment in March 2021, Congress did not pass legislation authorizing a fourth round. Some members of Congress proposed additional payments, but these proposals did not gain enough support to pass both the House and Senate. The Biden administration did not pursue a fourth stimulus check as a policy priority after mid-2021.

Instead, the federal government focused on other pandemic relief measures, such as expanded unemployment benefits (which ended in September 2021), child tax credit payments (which ran from July to December 2021), and rental information programs. These programs had different rules and different recipient groups than the stimulus checks.

Scams claiming to help you get a fourth stimulus check

Because many people hoped for a fourth payment, scammers created websites and social media posts claiming they could help you obtain one. These scams typically ask for personal information (your Social Security number, bank account details, or tax filing information) or charge a fee to "process" your claim.

The IRS and Social Security Administration do not charge fees to send you money you are owed. They also do not contact people by email, text, or social media to ask for personal information. If you see an ad or post about a fourth stimulus check, it is not from the government.

If you gave your information to a scammer, contact the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov and monitor your credit report for unauthorized accounts. You can get a free credit report from annualcreditreport.com.

Other pandemic relief programs that may still be available

Although stimulus checks ended, some pandemic relief programs continued longer or are still running. Rental information programs, funded by the federal government but run by states and cities, helped people pay back rent and utilities. Many of these programs are still accepting applications, though funding varies by location.

The Child Tax Credit was expanded during the pandemic and provided monthly payments to families with children. This program ended in December 2021, but you can claim the credit on your tax return if you did not receive all the payments you were owed.

SSDI recipients with low income may also be may be able to access for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, SNAP (food information), or LIHEAP (utility information). These are ongoing programs, not one-time payments, but they can provide regular support. Your local Social Security office can tell you whether you meet the rules for any of these programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a fourth stimulus check if I did not receive the first three?

No. There is no fourth stimulus check to receive. If you did not get one of the first three payments, you can claim it as a Recovery Rebate Credit on your tax return for the year the payment was issued. You have until the tax filing important date (usually April 15) of the following year to claim it.

Will there be another stimulus check in the future?

Congress would have to pass a new law authorizing it. No such law is currently in effect or scheduled. If Congress does pass another stimulus bill in the future, SSDI recipients would likely be included the same way they were in the first three rounds.

What if I see an ad saying I can get a fourth stimulus check right now?

That is a scam. There is no fourth stimulus check. Do not give your personal information or money to anyone claiming they can help you get one. Report the ad to the platform where you saw it and to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Do I have to report stimulus payments as income on my taxes?

No. Stimulus payments are not taxable income and do not reduce your SSDI benefits. You do not report them on your tax return as income. If you are claiming a Recovery Rebate Credit for a payment you did not receive, you report the credit itself, not the payment amount.