The Internal Revenue Service, the Treasury Department and the Social Security Administration announced Wednesday that recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will automatically receive automatic Economic Impact Payments, also known as stimulus checks.
According to the IRS, SSI recipients will receive a $1,200 stimulus check with no further action needed on their part.
The agency said it projects the payments for this group will go out no later than early May.
No action needed by most taxpayers
Earlier this month, the IRS announced a similar action to ensure those receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits and Railroad Retirement benefits can receive automatic payments of $1,200. While these groups receive Forms 1099, many in this group don’t typically file tax returns.
People in these groups are expected to see the automatic $1,200 payments later this month.
Eligible taxpayers who filed tax returns for 2019 or 2018 will also receive the payments automatically. About 80 million payments are hitting bank accounts this week.
For benefit recipients with dependents, extra step needed to claim $500 for children
According to the IRS, the law provides eligible taxpayers with qualifying children under age 17 to receive an extra $500.
For taxpayers who filed tax returns in 2018 or 2019, the child payments will be automatic.
However, many benefit recipients typically aren’t required to file tax returns, the agency states.
If they have children who qualify, an extra step is needed to add $500 per child onto their automatic payment of $1,200 if they didn’t file a tax return in 2018 or 2019.
For Social Security retirement or disability benefits (SSDI), Railroad Retirement benefits or SSI with a qualifying child
The IRS states that these recipients can quickly register by using the special tool available on IRS.gov and provide their information in the Non-Filers section.
By quickly taking steps to enter information on the IRS website about them and their qualifying children, they can receive the $500 per dependent child payment in addition to their $1,200 individual payment.
If beneficiaries in these groups do not provide their information to the IRS soon, the agency states, they will have to wait until later to receive their $500 per qualifying child.
The IRS says that the Treasury Department, not the Social Security Administration, will make these automatic payments to SSI recipients.
Recipients will generally receive the automatic payments by direct deposit, Direct Express debit card, or by paper check, just as they would normally receive their SSI benefits.
For those with dependents who use Direct Express debit cards, additional information will be available soon, the agency states, regarding the steps to take on the IRS web site when claiming children under 17.
For information about Social Security retirement, survivors and disability insurance beneficiaries, visit the SSA website at SSA.gov.
General information about the Economic Impact Payments is available on a special section of IRS.gov.
Watch out for scams related to Economic Impact Payments
The IRS states it is urging taxpayers to be on the lookout for scams related to the Economic Impact Payments.
To use the new app or get information, taxpayers should visit IRS.gov.
People should be careful and cautious and watch out for scams using email, phone calls or texts related to the payments, the agency states.
The IRS has stated that it will not send unsolicited electronic communications asking people to open attachments, visit a website or share personal or financial information.
The IRS says taxpayers should go directly and solely to IRS.gov for official information.
More information
The IRS states it will post frequently asked questions on IRS.gov/coronavirus and will provide updates as soon as they are available.
To update your payment information or mailing address, whether you are a filer or non-filder, visit
IRS.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments.
You can check the status of your stimulus check at IRS.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment.
READ MORE: IRS launches web tool for non-filers to receive stimulus checks
READ MORE: Instructions for SSI recipients with kids re: stimulus checks
READ MORE: How to get your stimulus check faster
READ MORE: New IRS stimulus site has rocky start; problems reported