The second stimulus check went out in December 2020 and January 2021

The second Economic Impact Payment (the second stimulus check) was distributed between December 2020 and January 2021. Most people who received Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) got the payment automatically — the Social Security Administration sent it to the same bank account or address where your regular SSDI payment goes.

If you were on SSDI when the IRS processed the second round of payments, you should have received $600 per adult and $600 per dependent child. The timing depended on how Social Security had your payment set up: direct deposit recipients typically saw the money in their accounts in late December 2020, while those receiving paper checks got them in the mail in early January 2021.

This was different from the first stimulus check in spring 2020, which required some SSDI recipients to file a tax return to receive the payment. The second check did not have that requirement — Social Security sent it based on your SSDI record alone.

Key Takeaways

  • The second stimulus payment of $600 per person was sent automatically to SSDI recipients between December 2020 and January 2021, with no action required on your part.
  • Direct deposit recipients received the money in their bank accounts in late December 2020, while paper check recipients received checks in the mail in early January 2021.
  • You did not need to file a tax return or contact Social Security to receive the second stimulus check if you were already receiving SSDI.
  • If you did not receive the payment by February 2021, you could check the IRS website or contact Social Security to trace the payment.

How Social Security sent the second stimulus check

Social Security used the payment method already on file for your SSDI benefits. If you had set up direct deposit, the $600 went directly into your bank account. The IRS and Social Security coordinated to send these payments without you having to do anything — no forms to fill out, no phone calls to make.

The payment appeared as a separate deposit from your regular SSDI check. Some people saw it arrive a few days before their regular December or January benefit payment, while others received it on the same day. The exact timing varied by bank and by which Federal Reserve processing center handled the transfer.

If you received a paper check instead of direct deposit, the check came through the mail. These typically arrived in early January 2021, though some took longer depending on postal delays in your area. The check was issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, just like the first stimulus check.

What to do if you did not receive the second stimulus check

If you were on SSDI in December 2020 and did not see the $600 payment by mid-January 2021, the first step was to check with your bank. Sometimes deposits are delayed or routed to an old account if your banking information had changed. Contact your bank's customer service line and ask them to search for a deposit from the U.S. Treasury or the IRS.

If your bank found no record of the deposit, you could check the IRS "Get My Payment" tool on the IRS website, which showed the status of stimulus payments and the date they were sent. This tool told you whether the IRS had processed your payment and where it was supposed to go.

If the IRS tool showed the payment was sent but you never received it, you had options. Some people filed a 2020 tax return and claimed the Recovery Rebate Credit to receive the $600 as a tax refund. Others contacted Social Security directly to report the missing payment, though Social Security's role was limited once the IRS had sent the funds.

SSDI recipients who were not automatically sent the payment

A small number of SSDI recipients did not receive the second stimulus check automatically. This happened most often to people who had recently started receiving SSDI or whose Social Security record did not match IRS records. People in this situation typically had to file a 2020 tax return and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit to receive the $600.

Some SSDI recipients also did not receive the payment if they had an outstanding debt to the federal government — such as unpaid federal taxes or a student loan in default. In these cases, the $600 was intercepted and applied to the debt instead of being sent to the recipient. This was called "offset," and it happened automatically without advance notice.

If you were on SSDI but did not receive the second stimulus check and did not have an outstanding federal debt, the most likely reason was a mismatch between your Social Security record and your tax records. Contacting Social Security to update your information could help prevent similar issues with future payments.

The difference between the second stimulus and later payments

The third stimulus check, sent in March 2021, worked the same way as the second one — Social Security sent it automatically to SSDI recipients using the payment method on file. That payment was $1,400 per person, larger than the second check.

However, the rules for who received the payments changed over time. The second and third stimulus checks went to most SSDI recipients without income limits. Later pandemic relief programs had stricter income thresholds, meaning some people on SSDI were excluded based on how much money they earned or received from other sources.

If you are trying to understand whether you received a particular stimulus payment or why you did not, the year matters. The second stimulus check (December 2020 to January 2021) had different rules and timing than the third check (March 2021) or any other relief payments that came later.

Keeping records of stimulus payments you received

If you received the second stimulus check, you did not need to report it as income on your taxes — it was not taxable. However, it is still useful to keep a record of when you received it and how much it was, especially if you ever need to prove your income or assets for other programs.

The IRS kept records of all stimulus payments sent. If you ever need proof that you received the $600 second stimulus check, you can request a transcript from the IRS or check your IRS account online. Social Security also has records of payments it processed on behalf of the IRS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did I have to do anything to get the second stimulus check if I was on SSDI?

No. If you were receiving SSDI in December 2020, Social Security sent the $600 automatically to your bank account or mailing address. You did not need to file a form, call anyone, or take any action. The payment was sent based on your SSDI record alone.

When exactly did SSDI recipients get the second stimulus check?

Most direct deposit recipients saw the $600 in their bank accounts in late December 2020, typically between December 28 and December 31. Paper check recipients received checks in the mail in early January 2021. Exact timing varied by bank and postal service.

What if I was on SSDI but did not get the second stimulus check?

Check with your bank first to see if the deposit arrived in an old account. Then use the IRS "Get My Payment" tool to see if the payment was sent. If it was sent but you never received it, you could file a 2020 tax return and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit to get the $600 as a refund.

Was the second stimulus check counted as income for SSI or other benefits?

The second stimulus check was not counted as income for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or most other means-tested programs. However, it could count as a resource if you still had the money in your account after the month you received it. Rules varied by program, so check with your caseworker if you were on SSI.

Did everyone on SSDI get $600, or was it different for some people?

Most SSDI recipients got $600 per person plus $600 per dependent child claimed on their tax return. However, people with outstanding federal debts had the payment intercepted and applied to the debt instead. A small number of SSDI recipients did not receive the payment automatically and had to claim it on their 2020 tax return.