Some 8 million people get Supplemental Security Income, many with disabilities that typically prevent them from working. The average monthly benefit is $541. That means the stimulus payments — authorized under the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act to offset the impact of the coronavirus pandemic — amount to a significant cash influx for most SSI recipients.
The stimulus payments are $1,200 for single people who earn less than $75,000, while married couples who earn less than $150,000 will receive $2,400. Children under 17 are eligible to get $500.
Although experts say government money should help people in the short term, simply distributing the funds in a timely way has proved problematic.
The Social Security Administration published a seven-page “how-to” for Social Security recipients this month, which provides guidance on which steps beneficiaries should take to make sure they get their payments.
Among the tips from the Social Security Administration is guidance on when SSI recipients who don’t file tax returns will start receiving their payments. “You should receive your $1,200 payment in the same way you receive your monthly SSI payment: Direct Deposit and Direct Express by May 13; Paper checks will begin May 15,” according to the guidelines.
Confusion For Social Security Recipients
Social Security recipients have faced a number of hurdles to getting their stimulus payments. Early on, the Treasury Department said Social Security recipients who aren’t required to file tax returns would need to file a “simple tax return” to qualify. But after an outcry from lawmakers, the Treasury reversed the decision.
Even with that shift in policy, there have been plenty of questions for Social Security recipients who don’t file tax returns. For one, families with children under the age of 17 are eligible for $500 per child under the stimulus package.
However, because some SSI recipients are exempt from filing taxes, the IRS may not have information about those kids.
