The third stimulus payment was deposited between March 17 and April 15, 2021

The third economic impact payment — often called the third stimulus check — went out in waves starting March 17, 2021. Most SSDI recipients received their payment by early April 2021, though some deposits continued through mid-April. The IRS prioritized direct deposits first, which is why SSDI beneficiaries who had their payment method on file received funds earlier than those waiting for paper checks or debit cards.

The payment amount was $1,400 per person for most recipients. If you received SSDI in 2020 and had a direct deposit on file with Social Security, you did not need to take any action — the IRS used that banking information automatically. The IRS and Social Security coordinated to identify SSDI recipients without recent tax returns, so most people received the payment without filing taxes or contacting anyone.

Key Takeaways

  • Direct deposits for SSDI recipients began March 17, 2021, with most payments arriving by early April 2021.
  • The payment was $1,400 per person, and the IRS used your existing Social Security direct deposit information without requiring you to file taxes or explore.
  • Paper checks and debit cards arrived later than direct deposits, typically in late April or May 2021.
  • If you did not receive your payment by mid-2021, you could check the status on the IRS website or contact Social Security to verify your banking information was current.

Why SSDI recipients received payments on a different schedule than wage earners

The IRS processed stimulus payments in batches based on how people normally receive federal payments. SSDI recipients who had direct deposit set up with Social Security were processed as a group separate from people filing tax returns, which is why many SSDI beneficiaries saw their deposits arrive before the general public received theirs.

People who received SSI (Supplemental Security Income) instead of SSDI were also included in this early wave, since both programs use the same payment infrastructure. The IRS had already verified these recipients' identities and banking information through Social Security's records, so no additional verification was needed.

What happened if your payment did not arrive on time

Some SSDI recipients did not receive their third payment in the initial waves. This usually happened because Social Security's records showed an outdated or incorrect bank account, or because the recipient had no direct deposit on file at all. If your payment did not arrive by late April 2021, the IRS issued a debit card instead, which arrived by mail over the following weeks.

If you never received the payment — not even a debit card — you could claim it on your 2021 tax return as the Recovery Rebate Credit. This required filing a tax return even if you normally did not file one. The IRS also maintained a "Get My Payment" tool on its website where you could enter your information to check the payment status and update your bank account if needed.

How the third payment differed from the first two stimulus payments

The first two stimulus payments (April 2020 and January 2021) followed a similar pattern for SSDI recipients, but the third payment was larger and the IRS had refined its process. By March 2021, Social Security and the IRS had better coordination, so fewer SSDI recipients experienced delays or missing payments compared to the first round.

The third payment also included dependents more reliably than earlier payments. If you had a child or dependent on your SSDI case, you received an additional $1,400 per dependent. This was an improvement over the first payment, when some SSDI recipients with dependents initially received only their own payment and had to follow up to get the dependent amounts.

Tracking your third payment if you were unsure about the status

The IRS's "Get My Payment" tool was the primary way to check on your third stimulus payment. You entered your Social Security number, date of birth, and street address, and the tool showed whether the payment had been sent, the method (direct deposit, check, or debit card), and the date. If the tool showed an incorrect bank account, you could update it, though updates could take several weeks to process.

If you could not access the IRS tool or needed help, you could call Social Security's main number (1-800-772-1213) to confirm your direct deposit information was current. Social Security staff could not issue the payment themselves, but they could verify that your banking details were correct in their system, which the IRS used to send the money.

What to do if you still have not received the third payment

If you reached late 2021 or 2022 without receiving your third stimulus payment, the most direct route was to claim it on your tax return. You reported the payment as a Recovery Rebate Credit on Form 1040 or 1040-SR. If you did not normally file taxes, you could file a return just to claim this credit, and you would receive any refund by direct deposit or check.

If you filed your 2021 tax return and claimed the credit but did not receive the money, you could contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the amount you claimed ready. The IRS could investigate whether the payment was sent to an old bank account or lost in the mail, and could issue a replacement payment if warranted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did I have to file taxes to get the third stimulus payment?

No. If you received SSDI and had direct deposit on file with Social Security, the IRS sent the payment automatically without requiring a tax return. You only needed to file taxes if you did not receive the payment and wanted to claim it as a Recovery Rebate Credit later.

Why did some SSDI recipients get their payment weeks before others?

Direct deposits arrived first (mid-March to early April 2021), followed by debit cards and paper checks (late April through May 2021). The IRS prioritized direct deposits because they are faster and more reliable. If your bank account information was outdated or missing, you received a debit card by mail instead.

Can I still claim the third stimulus payment if I never received it?

Yes. You can claim it on your 2021 tax return as the Recovery Rebate Credit. File Form 1040 or 1040-SR and report the $1,400 (or $1,400 per dependent if applicable) on line 30. If you do not normally file taxes, you can file just to claim this credit and receive a refund.

What if the IRS sent my payment to the wrong bank account?

Contact your bank first to see if the deposit arrived in an old account you no longer use. If it did, ask your bank to help you recover it. If the payment went nowhere, file your 2021 tax return claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit, and the IRS will send you a replacement payment when processing your return.

Did SSDI recipients get more money than other people for the third stimulus?

No. Everyone received $1,400 per person, plus $1,400 per dependent. SSDI recipients were not treated differently in the payment amount — only in the timing and method of delivery, because the IRS used Social Security's direct deposit records to reach them faster.