If you’re unable to provide for yourself or your family due to your disability, you know better than anyone how valuable each dollar is. For this reason, you do not want to miss out on the $1200 federal stimulus check that you may be eligible to receive. Many people are wondering what exactly is being offered and how they can receive it. This article summarizes the current status of these payments known by the IRS as “Economic Impact Payments.” However, I recommend you also visit the special webpage setup by the IRS to educate the public on this program: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments
How Much Money Can I Receive?
- If you are over the age of 18 you are eligible to receive $1200
- If you are married you and your spouse are eligible to receive $2400 if you file taxes jointly
- If you have children under the age of 17, you are eligible to receive an additional $500 per child
Do I Need to Take Any Action to Receive My Stimulus Check?
Did you file taxes in 2018 or 2019?
If you have filed a tax return in 2018 or 2019 you don’t need to take any additional action to receive your money. The IRS will directly deposit your check directly into your account or send you a paper check based on the information in your tax return. However, if you have eligible children that are not reflected on your filed tax return you should report it to the IRS (click here). Also, If your bank account information or address has changed since you filed your most recent tax return, you should update your information with the IRS (click here).
Are you currently receiving Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits (SSDI)?
If you are already receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits you do not need to take any action to receive your check. However, if you have eligible children under the age of 17 you should report that information directly to the IRS (click here). Also, If your bank account information or address has changed since you filed your most recent tax return, you should update your information with the IRS (click here).
Are you currently receiving Supplemental Security Insurance Benefits (SSI)?
If you are only receiving Supplemental Security Insurance Benefits (SSI) then you’ll definitely want to head over to the IRS website to report your information so that you can receive your check as well as any payments for eligible children (click here).
What if you have a disability case pending and you haven’t filed 2018 or 2019 taxes?
If you are among the thousands of Americans who are still waiting to be approved for Social Security Disability and you haven’t filed 2018 or 2019 taxes then you’ll also want to go to the IRS website to report your information so that you can receive your check as well as any payments for eligible children (click here). This is extremely important for people who fall in this category, as the IRS will likely not be able to send you your payment otherwise.
Final Three Recommendations
No matter what category you you fall under don’t forget the following:
- You need to be extremely vigilant of scammers trying to take advantage of this crisis to steal your money. The IRS has clearly stated that they will not “call, text you, email you or contact you on social media asking for personal or bank account information – even related to the economic impact payments.”
- The IRS will send you a letter within 15 days of sending you payment to your last known address. The letter will provide you with information on how the payment was made and how to report failure to receive the payment. If you are unsure whether the letter you have received is legitimate visit IRS.gov first to contact the IRS with questions.
- Starting mid-April the IRS will have a tool on their website that will allow you to check the status of your payment. This is probably the easiest way to track your payment (click here).
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