SSDI and the Third Stimulus Payment

There was no third stimulus check sent to SSDI recipients as a separate payment. The third round of stimulus payments, authorized by Congress in March 2021, went to people based on their tax filing status and income level—not based on receiving Social Security Disability Insurance. If you received SSDI and got a third payment, it was because you met the income and filing requirements for that round, not because of your SSDI status itself.

The confusion often comes from the fact that SSDI recipients were automatically included in earlier rounds without having to file taxes or take extra steps. By the third payment, the rules had changed. The IRS used 2020 tax returns first, then 2019 returns if 2020 wasn't available, to determine who may have access to and how much they received. If you didn't file taxes in either year, you had to register with the IRS to receive the payment.

Key Takeaways

  • The third stimulus check in 2021 was not tied to SSDI status—it was based on income and tax filing, just like regular tax refunds.
  • SSDI recipients who earned under the income limit and filed taxes (or registered with the IRS) received the third payment if they met those conditions.
  • The payment amount was $1,400 per person, with reduced amounts for higher incomes, and extra payments for dependent children.
  • If you received SSDI but did not get a third payment, it was likely because your income exceeded the limit or you did not file taxes and did not register with the IRS.

How the Third Payment Differed from Earlier Rounds

The first two stimulus payments, sent in 2020, treated SSDI recipients differently. Social Security beneficiaries—including SSDI recipients—received payments automatically without filing taxes or taking any action. The IRS used Social Security records to identify who should get paid.

The third payment changed this approach. Instead of using Social Security records, the IRS relied on 2020 tax returns. This meant SSDI recipients who had not filed taxes in 2020 had to take a step the first two times did not require: they had to either file a 2020 tax return or register with the IRS's Non-Filer Sign-Up Tool to receive the payment. Many people on SSDI do not file taxes because their income is below the filing threshold, so this created a gap.

If you were on SSDI and did not receive a third payment, the most common reason was that you did not file a 2020 tax return and did not register with the IRS. The registration window closed in November 2021, so that opportunity has passed.

Income Limits for the Third Payment

The third stimulus check had income limits. Single filers could receive the full $1,400 if their income was under $75,000. Married couples filing jointly could receive the full amount if their income was under $150,000. Head of household filers had a limit of $112,500.

The payment began to reduce for income above these thresholds. For every $100 over the limit (or fraction thereof), the payment decreased by $5. This meant someone earning $76,000 as a single filer would receive $1,395, not $1,400.

SSDI income counts toward these limits. If you receive SSDI and also work, both amounts are added together to determine whether you exceeded the threshold. If your total income was above the limit for your filing status, you either received a reduced payment or no payment at all.

Dependent Children and the Third Payment

The third stimulus included an extra $1,400 for each dependent child under age 17. This applied whether the child received SSDI or not. If you were on SSDI and had dependent children, you could have received additional payments for them.

To receive the dependent payments, you had to claim the children on your tax return or register them with the IRS. If you did not file taxes and did not register, you would not have received the dependent amounts even if you otherwise may have access to.

What Happened If You Did Not Receive a Third Payment

If you were on SSDI and did not receive a third stimulus payment, you had limited options by 2022. The payment window closed in 2021. However, you could have claimed the payment as a credit on your 2021 tax return if you filed one, which would have reduced your taxes owed or increased your refund.

This required filing a 2021 tax return and claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit. The IRS had a worksheet to calculate how much you should have received based on your 2021 income. If you did not file a 2021 return, you could not claim this credit.

If you believe you should have received a third payment and did not, you can contact the IRS directly. The IRS has a payment tracker tool (though it is no longer updated) and a phone line for payment questions. Have your Social Security number and tax return information ready.

Future Stimulus Payments and SSDI

There have been no additional stimulus payments since the third round in 2021. Congress would have to authorize and fund any future payments. If that happens, the rules for SSDI recipients would depend on how Congress structures the new program.

Based on what happened with the first three rounds, future payments might use tax returns, Social Security records, or a combination of both. SSDI recipients should watch for announcements from the IRS and Social Security if new payments are authorized.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did SSDI recipients automatically get the third stimulus check?

No. Unlike the first two payments, the third stimulus required either filing a 2020 tax return or registering with the IRS. SSDI recipients who did not take one of these steps did not receive the payment, even if they were on SSDI.

Can I still get the third stimulus payment if I missed the important date?

The payment window closed in 2021, but you could claim it as a credit on your 2021 tax return if you filed one. That window has also closed. If you did not file a 2021 return, you cannot claim the credit now.

Does my SSDI income count toward the income limit for stimulus payments?

Yes. SSDI counts as income for stimulus purposes. If your SSDI plus any other income exceeded the threshold for your filing status, your payment was reduced or eliminated.

What if I was on SSDI but also working when the third payment was sent?

Both your SSDI and your work income counted toward the income limit. If the combined total exceeded the threshold, you received a reduced payment or no payment. The amount depended on your total income and filing status.

Can I get the third stimulus if I did not file taxes because I am on SSDI?

You would have needed to register with the IRS's Non-Filer Sign-Up Tool before November 2021. That registration window is closed. If you did not register then, you cannot receive the payment now unless you claimed it on a 2021 tax return.