SSDI Recipients and 2025 Stimulus Payments

There is no stimulus check planned for 2025. Congress has not passed legislation authorizing a new round of stimulus payments, and no bill currently in committee would send checks to SSDI recipients or any other group. The last federal stimulus payments went out in 2021, under the American Rescue Plan Act.

If you receive SSDI, you should be cautious about claims that a 2025 stimulus is coming. Scammers regularly target Social Security recipients with fake announcements about stimulus checks, tax refunds, or "unclaimed benefits." These messages often ask you to click a link, call a number, or provide personal information. The Social Security Administration does not contact people by email or text about stimulus payments.

That said, there are real programs that can put money in your account if you meet the rules. Understanding the difference between a stimulus (which does not exist right now) and actual benefits you may be may have access to to is important for your finances.

Key Takeaways

  • No stimulus check is scheduled for 2025; the last federal stimulus payments ended in 2021.
  • Scammers frequently impersonate the Social Security Administration to trick SSDI recipients into revealing personal information or paying fake fees.
  • SSDI recipients may be may have access to to other payments such as cost-of-living adjustments (COLA), tax credits, or state-level benefits that are separate from stimulus checks.
  • If you see an announcement about a 2025 stimulus, verify it through SSA.gov or by calling the Social Security Administration directly before taking any action.

How Stimulus Checks Worked in the Past

Between 2020 and 2021, Congress passed three stimulus bills that sent checks to most Americans. SSDI recipients were included in all three rounds. The first two payments (2020) were $1,200 and $600 per person. The third payment (2021, under the American Rescue Plan) was $1,400 per person.

SSDI recipients did not have to do anything special to receive these checks. The Social Security Administration automatically sent the money to the bank account or address on file. If you received SSDI in 2020 or 2021 and did not get a check, you could claim it on your tax return as a recovery rebate credit.

These payments were one-time events tied to specific laws passed during the pandemic. There is no standing program that sends stimulus checks every year. Each payment required a new act of Congress.

What Congress Would Need to Do to Send Another Stimulus

For a stimulus check to go out in 2025, Congress would have to introduce a bill, debate it, pass it in both the House and Senate, and have the President sign it into law. As of now, no such bill has been introduced. You can check the status of any proposed legislation on Congress.gov, which is the official record of all bills.

Even if a bill were introduced, it would take weeks or months to move through the legislative process. You would see news coverage from major outlets like Reuters, the Associated Press, or the Treasury Department before any check would be sent. The Social Security Administration would also post an announcement on SSA.gov.

If you see a claim about a stimulus check on social media, in an email, or in a text message, that is a sign it is not real. The government announces major payments through official channels, not through unsolicited messages.

Real Payments SSDI Recipients Receive

While stimulus checks are not coming in 2025, SSDI recipients do receive regular payments. Your monthly SSDI benefit is adjusted each year for cost-of-living increases, called a COLA (cost-of-living adjustment). In 2024, the COLA was 3.2 percent. The 2025 COLA will be announced in October 2024 and take effect in January 2025.

You may also be may have access to to other payments depending on your situation. If you have a spouse or children, they may receive benefits on your record. If you work while receiving SSDI, you may be able to earn money without losing your benefit, thanks to work incentives like the Trial Work Period and Extended may be able to access. Some states also offer supplemental payments to SSDI recipients.

If you file taxes, you may be may have access to to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or other credits that put money back in your account. These are not stimulus checks, but they are real money you may not be claiming. A tax professional or a free tax preparation service can help you figure out what you may have access to for.

How to Spot Stimulus Check Scams

Scammers use several tricks to steal from SSDI recipients. They may send an email or text claiming you have an unclaimed stimulus check or a tax refund waiting. They ask you to click a link, enter your Social Security number, or call a phone number. Some scammers ask you to pay a fee upfront to "unlock" your payment.

The Social Security Administration will never contact you by email, text, or phone about a stimulus check. It will not ask for your password, PIN, or full Social Security number over the phone. It will not ask you to pay a fee to receive a benefit you are may have access to to.

If you get a suspicious message, do not click any links or call any numbers in the message. Instead, go directly to SSA.gov or call the Social Security Administration's official number, 1-800-772-1213. You can also report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

What to Do If You Think You Missed a Past Stimulus Payment

If you were receiving SSDI in 2020 or 2021 but did not get one of the stimulus checks, you may still be able to claim it. When you file your tax return, you can claim the payment as a recovery rebate credit. This works even if you do not normally file taxes.

To claim a recovery rebate credit, you will need to file a tax return for the year you missed the payment. You can file for free through the IRS Free File program or through a community tax preparation service. If you need help, the IRS also has a phone line: 1-800-829-1040.

Keep in mind that the important date to claim a recovery rebate credit has passed for the 2020 and 2021 payments. However, if you have not yet filed your 2021 tax return, you can still claim it. Talk to a tax professional or call the IRS to find out whether you can still claim a past stimulus payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there any chance Congress will pass a stimulus in 2025?

Congress could pass a stimulus bill at any time, but there is no bill currently proposed or scheduled. If one were introduced, it would take weeks to move through the legislative process. You would see announcements from major news outlets and the Treasury Department before any payment went out.

What if I got a text saying I have a stimulus check waiting?

That is a scam. The Social Security Administration does not send unsolicited texts or emails about stimulus checks. Delete the message and do not click any links. If you are worried, call the Social Security Administration directly at 1-800-772-1213 to confirm you have not missed anything.

Will my SSDI check go up in 2025?

Yes. Your benefit will increase by the 2025 COLA, which will be announced in October 2024. The increase takes effect in January 2025. You do not have to do anything; the Social Security Administration will adjust your payment automatically.

Can I claim a stimulus check I missed from 2020 or 2021?

Yes, if you have not yet filed your tax return for that year, you can claim the payment as a recovery rebate credit. You can file for free through the IRS Free File program. If you have already filed and did not claim it, talk to a tax professional about whether you can amend your return.

Where can I report a fake stimulus check message?

Report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to the Social Security Administration's Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov. Reporting helps the government track scams and protect other people.