SSDI recipients got the second stimulus in January 2021

The second stimulus payment—$600 per adult and $600 per child—was distributed starting in late December 2020 and continuing through January 2021. Most SSDI recipients who were may be able to access received the money automatically, without having to take any action. The payment went to the same bank account or address where Social Security normally sends your monthly benefit.

If you received SSDI in 2020, you almost certainly got the second stimulus automatically. Social Security used its existing records to identify who was may be able to access, so there was no form to fill out or important date to meet. The only exception was if your address or banking information had changed since your last benefit payment and Social Security's records were out of date.

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.
  • If you were receiving SSDI benefits in 2020, Social Security used that information to send you the payment without you having to explore or verify anything.
  • The payment went to the same bank account or mailing address where your regular SSDI benefit arrives each month.
  • If you did not receive the second stimulus by February 2021, you could check the IRS website or contact Social Security to find out what happened.

How Social Security identified SSDI recipients for the second stimulus

Social Security did not need you to prove you were may be able to access. The agency already had your information on file—your income, your address, your bank account details, and your benefit amount. When Congress passed the second stimulus bill in December 2020, Social Security cross-checked its records against the may be able to access rules and sent payments to everyone who may have access to.

This automatic process meant SSDI recipients did not have to do anything differently than they normally do. You did not have to file a tax return, call Social Security, or submit any paperwork. If you were on the rolls in 2020, the system identified you as may be able to access and the payment was processed.

When the second stimulus arrived for different payment methods

The timing of when you received the $600 depended on how Social Security normally pays you. Recipients who get direct deposit to a bank account typically received the payment between December 28, 2020 and January 4, 2021. Those who receive a paper check in the mail got their check later, usually in early January 2021, because mail delivery takes longer.

A small number of SSDI recipients receive benefits on a prepaid debit card issued by Social Security. These recipients also got the stimulus automatically loaded onto their card in late December 2020 or early January 2021.

What to do if you did not receive the second stimulus

If you were receiving SSDI in 2020 but did not get the $600 payment by mid-January 2021, the first step was to check your bank account or look for a mailed check. Mail can be delayed, and some banks take a few days to post deposits. If you still could not find it after waiting a week, you had options to track it down.

The IRS maintained a "Get My Payment" tool on its website where you could enter your Social Security number and see the status of your stimulus payment. This tool showed whether the payment had been sent, where it was sent, and when. If the tool showed the payment was sent to the wrong address or bank account, you could report that information to the IRS.

If the IRS tool showed no record of a payment being sent to you, you could contact Social Security directly at 1-800-772-1213 to ask why you were not included. Social Security could review your 2020 benefit records and determine whether you should have received the payment.

SSDI and stimulus payments: what the rules were

To receive the second stimulus, you had to be a U.S. citizen or resident alien with a valid Social Security number. You also had to have a modified adjusted gross income below a certain threshold—$75,000 for a single person, $150,000 for married couples filing jointly. Most SSDI recipients fell well below these income limits because SSDI benefits themselves are modest.

The payment was not counted as income for purposes of future SSDI benefits. This meant receiving the $600 did not reduce your monthly benefit amount or affect your may be able to access going forward. It was a one-time payment separate from your regular SSDI income.

How the second stimulus differed from the first

The first stimulus payment in spring 2020 was $1,200 per adult and $500 per child. Like the second stimulus, it went automatically to SSDI recipients without requiring any action. However, the first stimulus had more complications because some SSDI recipients did not receive it automatically and had to claim it on their 2020 tax return instead.

By the time the second stimulus was approved, Social Security and the IRS had refined their process. Fewer SSDI recipients fell through the cracks the second time around, though some still had to track down missing payments or claim them later on their taxes if they were not sent automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did SSDI recipients have to do anything to get the second stimulus?

No. If you were receiving SSDI in 2020, Social Security automatically sent you the $600 payment using the information already on file. You did not have to fill out a form, call anyone, or take any action.

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

Check your bank account or mailbox first, as delays are common. If you still cannot find it after two weeks, use the IRS "Get My Payment" tool online to see the status. If it shows no payment was sent, contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to ask why you were not included.

Did the second stimulus reduce my SSDI benefits?

No. The stimulus payment was not counted as income for SSDI purposes. It did not affect your monthly benefit amount or your may be able to access for future benefits.

When exactly did SSDI recipients get the second stimulus?

Most direct deposit recipients got the money between December 28, 2020 and January 4, 2021. Those receiving paper checks got them in early January 2021. Prepaid debit card users saw the deposit in late December 2020 or early January 2021.