There is no fourth stimulus check, and the Social Security Administration has not announced plans for one

The federal government issued three rounds of economic impact payments during the COVID-19 pandemic: the first in spring 2020, the second in early 2021, and the third in spring 2021. No fourth payment has been authorized by Congress, and none is currently scheduled. SSDI recipients who received the first three checks will not receive a fourth unless Congress passes new legislation and the President signs it into law.

Some people on SSDI continue to receive letters or see online posts claiming a fourth check is coming. These are almost always scams or misinformation. The Social Security Administration's official website and your local Social Security office are the only reliable sources for information about actual payments.

Key Takeaways

  • Congress has not authorized a fourth stimulus check, and the Social Security Administration has not announced one.
  • Scammers and misinformation sites regularly claim a fourth check is coming to trick SSDI recipients into giving up personal information.
  • If you received the first three checks, you were automatically included based on your Social Security record — no new process was needed.
  • The only way a fourth check could happen is if Congress passes a new law; you cannot speed this up or put yourself on a list.

How the First Three Checks Were Distributed

All three stimulus payments were sent automatically to people receiving SSDI or SSI (Supplemental Security Income) without requiring an process. The IRS and Social Security Administration matched their records and deposited the money directly to the bank account on file, or mailed a check if no account was registered.

The first check was $1,200 per person (plus $500 per child under 17). The second and third checks were $600 each. Payments went out in waves over several weeks, so some people received theirs before others even though they were in the same round.

If you did not receive one of the three checks and believe you should have, the IRS has a tool called the Economic Impact Payment Information Center on its website where you can check the status of past payments. This tool does not help you claim a fourth check — it only shows what happened with the first three.

Why Scammers Target SSDI Recipients About Stimulus Checks

Scammers know that people on SSDI are often watching for government payments and may be less familiar with how to verify official information. They send emails, texts, or letters that look like they come from Social Security or the IRS, claiming you need to "confirm your information" or "update your bank account" to receive a fourth check.

These messages are fake. The real Social Security Administration and IRS will never ask you to click a link, read an attachment, or give your Social Security number, bank details, or password in response to an unsolicited message. If you receive such a message, delete it or report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

A common scam also involves fake websites that look almost identical to ssa.gov or irs.gov but have slightly different web addresses. Always type the official address directly into your browser rather than clicking a link in an email or text.

What Would Have to Happen for a Fourth Check to Exist

A fourth stimulus payment could only be authorized by an act of Congress. This would require both the House and Senate to pass a bill that includes a new round of economic impact payments, and the President to sign it. As of now, no such bill has been introduced or is under serious consideration.

Even if Congress did pass such a law, there would be a delay of several weeks between the signing and the first payments going out. The IRS and Social Security Administration would need time to reprogram their systems, coordinate with banks, and print checks for people without direct deposit.

You cannot put yourself on a waiting list or register for a fourth check in advance. If one were authorized, the same automatic process would explore: the government would identify who qualifies based on existing records and send the money without requiring an process from you.

How to Verify Information About Future Payments

The official Social Security Administration website is ssa.gov. You can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to speak with a representative about your benefits, though they cannot tell you about payments that do not exist yet.

The IRS website is irs.gov. It has a section on economic impact payments that shows the history of the three checks that were sent. If you have questions about whether you received all three, this is where you can check.

Be skeptical of any website, email, or social media post that claims to have "breaking news" about a fourth check. Legitimate government announcements appear on official .gov websites first, not on blogs, YouTube channels, or Facebook pages.

What to Do If You Did Not Receive One of the First Three Checks

If you believe you should have received one or more of the first three stimulus checks but did not, you have options. The IRS Economic Impact Payment Information Center (at irs.gov) lets you check the status of each of the three payments.

If a payment was sent but you never received it, you can report it to the IRS. If a payment was not sent at all, you may be able to claim it on your tax return for that year. This requires filing a tax return even if you do not normally file one. A local tax preparation service or your nearest VITA (Volunteer Income Tax information) site can help you file for free.

This process applies only to the three checks that were already authorized. It does not create or speed up a fourth check.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there any chance Congress will pass a fourth stimulus check soon?

Congress has not introduced a bill for a fourth check, and there is no indication one is being planned. Economic conditions and political priorities change, so it is theoretically possible in the future, but there is no current timeline or proposal. The only way to know would be to watch official news from Congress or the White House.

If a fourth check does happen, will I automatically get it like the first three?

Yes. If Congress authorized a fourth payment, the IRS and Social Security would use the same automatic process: they would identify who qualifies based on existing government records and send the money without requiring you to explore or register.

What should I do if I get an email saying I need to claim my fourth stimulus check?

Delete it. This is a scam. The real government does not send unsolicited emails asking you to claim payments or confirm your information. Report the email to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to your email provider.

Can I call Social Security to ask when the fourth check is coming?

You can call, but they will tell you the same thing: there is no fourth check authorized. Social Security representatives cannot predict what Congress will do in the future. If you have questions about your current SSDI benefits, that is a better use of the call.

Where can I find reliable news about stimulus payments?

Check irs.gov and ssa.gov directly. Major news outlets like the Associated Press, Reuters, and NPR also report on government payments when they are actually authorized. If you see a claim on social media or a blog, verify it by visiting the official government websites.