Some of the beneficiaries of Social Security programs will receive the money on the same card on which they regularly receive benefits. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) said the second economic stimulus check will be processed automatically for most people receiving Social Security retirement benefits, survivors or disability benefits (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), even if they don’t file taxes.
“Most Social Security retirement and disability beneficiaries, railroad retirees, and those receiving veterans’ benefits do not need to do anything at all to receive a payment. Earlier this year, the IRS worked directly with the relevant federal agencies to obtain the information needed to send the new payments in the same way benefits are normally paid for this group,” an IRS release said Tuesday.
However, the means by which they will receive the money will depend on the procedures previously carried out by the recipients.
Most members of this group who provided their banking information to the IRS will first receive payment electronically or deposited into their account.
IRS initiated direct deposits this week
The IRS in coordination with the Department of Treasury initiated the process of distributing payments under the Pandemic Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act to beneficiaries who have direct deposit. This process will extend at least until next week. At the same time, agencies began sending paper checks. A limited portion of the population will receive payment by prepaid debit card. It is not clear when the distribution of the plastic money will begin.
For SSDI and SSI recipients, the procedure varies as the IRS may process the funds by check or through the same Direct Express card on which they receive Social Security benefits.
Eligible individuals in this group who do not receive the new “Economic Impact Payment” by January can file a 2020 tax return to claim the funds through the “Recovery Credit”.
During the first round of payments, many of the beneficiaries of Social Security programs had to use the “Non-filers” tool to claim late or incomplete payments. But that online service is no longer available.
When will Social Security beneficiaries receive their second stimulus check?
There are two ways Social Security provides federal benefits to retirees. Social Security beneficiaries have two ways to receive their second stimulus check, through direct deposit or by debit card.
During the first round of stimulus check payments a large number of Social Service recipients received their stimulus check money during the first week because the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) had information on file about their direct deposit so it is expected to happen the same way during the second round of check delivery.
The IRS had a separate information section on its website for SSDI and SSI recipients. Typically, people in these groups receive their federal benefits through a Direct Express Card, although people in this group received their stimulus payment through another bank or by sending a paper check.
On April 15, the IRS sent out the first batch of stimulus checks and during the first week sent out approximately $80 million in payments to eligible recipients through direct deposit.
During the delivery of the first stimulus check, it took the IRS 19 days to build the online Get My Payment tool to locate the status of the stimulus check. The government agency has said that it will be back in operation by the end of this week.