SSDI recipients received the third stimulus payment on the same schedule as other Social Security beneficiaries, with most deposits arriving between March 17 and April 7, 2021

The third Economic Impact Payment (sometimes called the third stimulus check) was authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act, signed into law on March 11, 2021. The IRS and Social Security Administration coordinated to send payments to SSDI beneficiaries without requiring a separate tax return or process. If you received SSDI in February 2021, you were included in the automatic payment schedule.

The payment amount was $1,400 per person for most recipients. Payments went to the same bank account or address where your regular SSDI deposit was sent. The IRS used your most recent tax return or Social Security records to determine your payment status and amount.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI recipients did not need to file a tax return or take any action to receive the third stimulus payment — it was sent automatically based on Social Security records.
  • Most SSDI beneficiaries received their payment between mid-March and early April 2021, with direct deposits arriving before paper checks.
  • The payment amount was $1,400 per person, sent to the same account or address where your regular SSDI benefit was deposited.
  • If you did not receive a payment by mid-April 2021, you could check the IRS "Get My Payment" tool or contact Social Security to trace the issue.

How the IRS identified SSDI recipients for automatic payment

The IRS did not require SSDI beneficiaries to submit any paperwork. Instead, the agency used data it already held: your Social Security number, your most recent tax return (if you filed one), and your Social Security Administration record showing you received SSDI in February 2021. This automatic matching meant that people who had not filed taxes in years still received the payment.

Social Security and the IRS worked together to identify which beneficiaries may have access to. If you were on SSDI in February 2021 and had a valid Social Security number, you were included in the payment file. The IRS then processed the payment using the bank account or mailing address on file with Social Security.

Why the payment schedule was staggered over three weeks

The IRS processed payments in batches rather than sending all 330 million payments on a single day. Direct deposits were sent first, starting March 17, 2021, because they are faster and cheaper to process than paper checks. Paper checks began mailing around March 29, 2021, and took an additional 7 to 14 days to arrive depending on postal service speed and your location.

SSDI recipients who received their benefit via direct deposit typically saw the $1,400 payment within one to three business days of the IRS sending the batch. Those who received paper checks had to wait for postal delivery, which varied by region. Some recipients reported receiving checks as late as mid-April 2021.

What to do if you did not receive the third stimulus payment

If you were on SSDI in February 2021 but did not receive a $1,400 payment by mid-April 2021, the first step was to check the IRS "Get My Payment" tool at irs.gov. This tool showed the payment status, the amount, and the delivery method (direct deposit or check). If the tool showed the payment was sent but you never received it, you could report the issue to the IRS.

Some SSDI recipients had outdated bank account information on file with Social Security, which caused the IRS to mail a check instead of depositing the funds. If your address had changed, the check may have gone to an old location. You could contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to update your address and ask whether a check had been sent to the old address.

If the IRS "Get My Payment" tool showed no payment was sent, you could file a 2020 tax return (even if you normally did not file) to claim the payment as the Recovery Rebate Credit. This was a one-time step that allowed people who fell through the automatic system to receive the money when they filed their taxes.

How the third stimulus differed from the first two payments

The first two stimulus payments (in 2020 and early 2021) used the same automatic system for SSDI recipients, but the third payment had one key difference: the income limit was lower. For the third payment, the full $1,400 was reduced if your income exceeded $75,000 (single filer) or $150,000 (married filing jointly). The first two payments had higher income thresholds.

This meant that some SSDI recipients who received the first two payments in full did not receive the full $1,400 on the third payment if their 2020 income (used to calculate the third payment) was higher than expected. The IRS used your 2020 tax return to determine your income. If you had not filed a 2020 return, the IRS used your 2019 return instead.

SSDI and stimulus payments: tax treatment and reporting

The third stimulus payment was not taxable income. You did not report it on your tax return, and it did not count as income for purposes of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid. This was different from regular SSDI benefits, which are not taxable but do count as income for SSI purposes.

Because the stimulus payment was not counted as income, it did not affect your SSDI benefit amount or your may be able to access for other means-tested programs. If you were also receiving SSI (a separate program for people with low income and a disability), the stimulus payment did not reduce your SSI check.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did SSDI recipients have to do anything to get the third stimulus payment?

No. If you received SSDI in February 2021, the payment was sent automatically. You did not need to file a tax return, contact Social Security, or take any action. The IRS and Social Security matched records and sent the payment without requiring you to explore.

What if I received SSI instead of SSDI — did I get the third stimulus?

Yes, SSI recipients were also included in the automatic payment system. The IRS used Social Security records to identify both SSDI and SSI beneficiaries. The payment amount and timing were the same for both groups.

Could the third stimulus payment affect my SSDI or SSI benefits?

No. The stimulus payment was not counted as income for SSDI or SSI purposes. It did not reduce your monthly benefit check and did not affect your may be able to access for Medicaid or other programs based on income or resources.

If I did not receive the payment, can I still claim it now?

If you were on SSDI in February 2021 but never received the $1,400, you could claim it as the Recovery Rebate Credit on your tax return for the year 2020. You would need to file a 2020 return (or amend one if you already filed) to claim the credit. The important date to claim the credit has passed, but you may still be able to file a late return.