SSI recipients have one week to get stimulus cash for dependents. Here’s how
The deadline for Social Security recipients to get information on their dependents to the Internal Revenue Service to receive additional stimulus money from the coronavirus relief package has come and gone.
Now recipients of Supplemental Security Income are up to bat.
According to the Social Security Administration, anyone receiving those benefits who didn’t file taxes in 2018 or 2019 but has qualifying children under the age of 17 “should not wait for their automatic $1,200 individual payment.”
Instead, they should fill out their information under the “Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here” section on the IRS’s website. The deadline for submitting that information is May 5, according to the SSA.
Act by May 5, 2020! @IRSnews issues new guidance about #COVID19 Economic Impact Payments for Supplemental Security Income (#SSI) recipients, who did not file a tax return in 2018 or 2019, with qualifying dependents. Learn more: https://t.co/olca81Bld8 pic.twitter.com/dtAkdaqOEJ
— Social Security (@SocialSecurity) April 25, 2020
The IRS clarified early that retirees receiving Social Security payments qualify for stimulus payments. So do Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a federal program for disabled or blind residents and those who have little or no income, according to the Senate Finance Committee.
About 8 million Americans receive SSI benefits, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
SSI beneficiaries with qualifying children are also eligible for an additional $500 per dependent on top of their $1,200 individual payment.
But if they miss the May 5 deadline, the SSA says they’ll have to wait until filing a tax return for 2020 to receive the extra cash.
“I urge SSI recipients with qualifying children and who do not normally file taxes to take action now,” Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul said in a news release. “Immediately go to IRS.gov so that you will receive the full amount of the Economic Impact Payments you and your family are eligible for.”
According to the IRS, SSI recipients and Department of Veterans Affairs beneficiaries should receive their stimulus payments by mid May.
Payments for recipients of Social security, survivors or disability insurance benefits (SSDI) and Railroad Retirement benefits are slated to arrive this week, according to the IRS. Their deadline for submitting information on dependents was April 22.
For more information on who qualifies and how to file, visit the IRS website.
