No fourth stimulus check has been authorized by Congress

As of now, there is no fourth stimulus check. Congress authorized three rounds of Economic Impact Payments during the COVID-19 pandemic: one in 2020, one in early 2021, and one in mid-2021. No legislation has passed to create a fourth payment, and no fourth check has been distributed to SSDI recipients or any other group.

SSDI recipients who received the first three payments were included automatically — the Social Security Administration used existing payment records to send checks without requiring a separate process. If a fourth payment were authorized, the same process would likely explore. But that authorization has not happened.

Websites, social media posts, and emails claiming a fourth check is coming or asking you to "verify" your information to receive one are not legitimate. The U.S. Treasury and Social Security Administration do not contact people first to ask for personal details in order to send money.

Key Takeaways

  • Three stimulus checks were sent during 2020 and 2021; no fourth check has been authorized by Congress.
  • SSDI recipients received the first three payments automatically through Social Security records without filing anything extra.
  • Posts or emails claiming a fourth check is available or asking you to verify information are scams.
  • If Congress does authorize another payment in the future, Social Security will notify you through official channels and will not ask you to provide personal information to receive it.

How the three stimulus checks were distributed to SSDI recipients

The first three stimulus payments — $1,200 in 2020, $600 in early 2021, and $1,400 in mid-2021 — were sent by the U.S. Treasury based on tax records and Social Security records. SSDI recipients did not need to take any action. If you received SSDI benefits, your payment was deposited to the same account where your monthly benefit arrives, or mailed as a check if you receive paper payments.

Some SSDI recipients did have to take action if their information was out of date — for example, if they had moved and the Social Security Administration did not have a current mailing address. The IRS and Social Security sent notices to people whose payments could not be delivered, and those people could claim the payment on their tax return or contact Social Security to update their address.

No process, form, or phone call was required to receive any of the three payments. You did not have to "set up" anything or prove you were may be able to access. The payments were based on your existing SSDI record.

Why there is no fourth check yet

Stimulus checks required an act of Congress. Each of the three payments was part of a larger spending bill that lawmakers debated and voted on. The first check came from the CARES Act in March 2020. The second came from the Consolidated Appropriations Act in December 2020. The third came from the American Rescue Plan in March 2021.

Since mid-2021, no new stimulus payment bill has passed Congress. Proposals for additional payments have been introduced by various lawmakers, but none have become law. Without a new law, the Treasury cannot send another round of payments.

Economic conditions, inflation, and political disagreement over spending have all affected whether Congress moves forward with additional stimulus. This is not a decision made by Social Security or the Treasury — it is a decision made by Congress, and it requires a vote.

How to recognize stimulus check scams

Scammers use the promise of a stimulus check to steal personal information or money. Common scams include emails claiming you have unclaimed stimulus funds, text messages with links to "verify your information," and phone calls asking for your Social Security number or bank details.

The real Social Security Administration and U.S. Treasury will never contact you first asking for personal information. They will not send you a link to click. They will not ask for your password, PIN, or bank account number. If you receive a message like this, it is a scam.

If you think you missed a stimulus payment that you were may have access to to, you can contact Social Security directly at 1-800-772-1213 or visit ssa.gov. Do not click links in unsolicited emails or texts, and do not call phone numbers from messages you receive.

What would happen if Congress authorized a fourth payment

If Congress passed a law creating a fourth stimulus check, the process would likely mirror the first three. The Treasury would work with the Social Security Administration to identify who should receive a payment based on existing records. SSDI recipients would receive the payment automatically — no process, no form, no phone call required.

You would receive notification through official channels: a letter from Social Security, information on ssa.gov, or an announcement from the Treasury Department. You would not receive a random email or text asking you to verify anything. The payment would arrive in your bank account or by mail, just as the previous three did.

Any news about a fourth stimulus check would be reported by major news outlets and confirmed on the official Social Security website and Treasury website. If you see a claim about a fourth check only on social media or in an email, it is not real.

What to do if you did not receive one of the three stimulus checks

If you were receiving SSDI during 2020 or 2021 but did not receive one or more of the three stimulus payments, you may still be able to claim the money. The payment is not lost — it can be claimed on your federal tax return.

On your tax return, you report the stimulus payments you received and claim any that you did not. The IRS will calculate whether you are owed the difference. You can file a current-year return or an amended return for prior years. If you do not normally file taxes, you can still file to claim the stimulus payments.

If you need help filing a tax return to claim a stimulus payment, contact a local tax preparation service, a community action agency, or the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040. Many services offer free tax preparation for people with low income.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check if I received all three stimulus checks?

Yes. Visit irs.gov and use the "Get My Payment" tool, or contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. They can tell you which payments were sent and when. If a payment was mailed but never arrived, Social Security can help you investigate what happened.

If a fourth check is authorized, will I have to do anything to get it?

No. If Congress passes a fourth stimulus bill, SSDI recipients will receive the payment automatically, just as with the first three. You will not need to explore, call, or provide information. Social Security will use your existing record to send the payment.

What should I do if I see an email or text about a fourth stimulus check?

Do not click any links or reply to the message. Delete it. If you are concerned the message might be real, contact Social Security directly at 1-800-772-1213 or visit ssa.gov — do not use a phone number or link from the message you received.

Can I get a stimulus check if I am not a U.S. citizen?

The first three stimulus checks required a valid Social Security number. If you have SSDI and a valid SSN, you received the payments. may be able to access rules for any future payment would be set by Congress in the legislation that authorizes it.