The procedures put in place to get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients stimulus payments have had more ups and downs than a soap opera script, and in yet another turn of events the administration is now indicating SSI recipients will receive automatic payments without having to jump through a bunch of different hoops as was previously directed.
Last week the Treasury Department issued a press release indicating that SSI recipients, who do not have any qualifying children, will not have to do anything to receive their payments. They will receive their payments just like they receive their SSI benefits. Previously there was a lot of confusion and it was directed that SSI recipients had to complete a tax return to get their payments even when they were never required to file tax returns previously.
The press release from the Treasury Department also reiterated that the stimulus payments will not impact ongoing SSI monthly benefits, something many SSI beneficiaries were concerned about because SSI benefits are a needs-based program for the elderly and disabled where people can be disqualified if they have too much income or their asset level is too high. SSI recipients who do have qualifying children who qualify for the $500 payment will have to take some extra steps to receive that money. The Treasury Department indicated these people should go to the IRS website at irs.gov and complete some basic information under “non filers” section to get that payment. This information includes names, Social Security numbers, mailing addresses and bank account information. Below is information from the Treasury Department press release.
The Social Security Administration announced today that Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients will automatically receive their Economic Impact Payments directly to their bank accounts through direct deposit, Direct Express debit card, or by paper check, just as they would normally receive their SSI benefits. Treasury anticipates SSI recipients will receive these automatic payments no later than early May.
For SSI recipients who have qualifying children under age 17, go to IRS.gov and click on the “Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here” button. The tool will request basic information to confirm eligibility, calculate and send the Economic Impact Payments:
- Full names and Social Security numbers, including for spouse and dependents
- Mailing address
- Bank account type, account and routing numbers
Recipients will receive the $500 per dependent child payment in addition to their $1,200 individual payment. If SSI beneficiaries in this group do not provide their information to the IRS soon, they will have to wait until later to receive their $500 per qualifying child.
For those SSI recipients with dependents who use Direct Express debit cards, additional information will be available soon regarding the steps to take on the IRS web site when claiming children under 17.
The Social Security Administration will not consider Economic Impact Payments as income for SSI recipients, and the payments are excluded from resources for 12 months.
