An entry on the IRS website indicates that even if the checks are released from the agency, they would take several weeks to reach their destination.
The $1,400 stimulus checks or prepaid debit cards (EIP Cards) with the money, which the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is mailing could take up to four weeks to reach their destination, the agency reported on its website.
The bureau announced this week that it is continuing to process paper stimulus checks. Last week, the IRS had already reported sending some of these payments to recipients by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).
However, in a statement Monday, the agency indicated that most of the payments in this second wave of deliveries would be sent by mail.
This week, the distribution of prepaid debit cards (EIP Card) with the $1,400 stimulus check also began.
The bad news is that some of the mailed payments could take weeks to arrive in mailboxes.
Although the IRS does not give a reason for this delay, an entry on IRS.gov indicates that, even if the payment has left the IRS, this does not mean that the funds will arrive immediately.
In those cases, the “Get My Payment” check tracking tool will tell the user that he or she will receive the check in three to four weeks.
The agency does not explain the reason for the time extension.
“‘Get My Payment’ reflects a date that your payment was mailed; it may take three to four weeks for you to receive the payment. Check your mail carefully for a check or EIP Card…,” reads part of the IRS message on its website.
It is important to note, however, that the answer to the question of whether you will receive a payment if you did not receive it by direct deposit was included from the second round of $600 checks, so it is up to the IRS to confirm whether the waiting period of up to four weeks is still in effect for the third round.
The IRS indicated on Monday that if you do not receive the $1,400 by direct deposit this Wednesday while you are eligible for assistance, you should check your mailbox in the next few days (no date specified) to receive payment by either plastic check or EIP Card.
Today is the official payment date set by the bureau for Nacha, the group that processes transactions and direct deposits from U.S. banks and credit unions through the Automated Clearing House Network (ACH Network), to release new payments via wire transfers beginning at 8:30 a.m.