This page will be updated continuously to reflect the most recent information. This page was last updated on August 20, 2020.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act directs the Department of the Treasury to make a one-time direct payment to individuals to help them recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Here is what you need to know as an individual with disability benefits.

Am I eligible?

All US residents are eligible, as long as they have a work-eligible Social Security number. In addition, you must not be claimed as a dependent on another person’s 2018/2019 taxes.

How much money could I receive?

Individuals receive $1,200 and married couples receive $2,400. An additional $500 is paid per child under 17 years old.

Individuals with income over $75,000/year, married couples with income over $150,000/year, or heads of household with income over $112,500/year will receive a reduced payment. Individuals with income over $99,000/year, married couples with income over $198,000/year, and heads of household with income over $136,500/year will not receive a payment.

Do I need to apply for this payment?

Update 4/17/20: Updated with automatic payment for SSI beneficiaries.

If you filed an IRS tax return in 2018 or 2019 or you receive the following Social Security Administration benefits, you do not need to apply for the Economic Impact Payment.

  • Social Security Disability Insurance
  • Childhood Disability Benefit (CDB)
  • Disability Widow’s Benefit (DWB)
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Social Security Retirement
  • Social Security Survivor’s Benefit

If you receive another benefit and did not file taxes in 2018 or 2019, the IRS recommends that you enter your information into their Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info page.

How do I claim the $500 per child under 17?

Updated 4/27/20, 4/29/20, 5/6/20, 8/20/20: Updated with information about passed deadlines.

If a child is claimed your on 2018 or 2019 tax return, the additional payment will be issued automatically. If you did not file taxes in 2018 or 2019, the IRS recommended that you enter your household information into their Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info page.

For recipients of SSI, SSDI, CDB, DWB, Retirement, or Survivor’s benefits, the deadline to provide information has been extended to September 30, 2020. If you miss the deadline, you will need to wait until next year to claim it as a credit on your 2020 federal tax return.

How will the payment be made?

Update 5/18/20: Updated info on Direct Express cards.

The payment will be sent by direct deposit to the account that received the 2018/2019 federal tax return, or by mailed check to the address on the return.

For beneficiaries that did not file a 2018/2019 tax return, the payment will be sent based on how the benefit is received, by direct deposit to your bank account, Direct Express card, or a mailed check.

Will the payment affect my Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid/QUEST health insurance, or Medicare Savings Program (MSP)?

This payment will not count as income for any of these means-tested programs. In addition, the funds will not be counted as resources for 12 months after they are received.

Will the payment affect my Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Childhood Disability Benefit (CDB), Disabled Widow’s Benefit (DWB), or Medicare health insurance?

These benefits are not affected by unearned income, including the income from the Economic Impact Payment.

What can I expect if my Social Security or SSI payment is managed by a representative payee?

Added 5/18/20

If you filed a 2018/2019 tax return, the payment will be sent by direct deposit to the account that received the tax refund, or by mailed check to the address on the return.

If you did not file a 2018/2019 tax return, your representative payee can receive the payment by direct deposit or Direct Express Card in late May. The timeline for mailing of paper checks has not yet been announced.

If I live in American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, how and when will I get my payment?

Added 5/20/20

Special rules apply to beneficiaries living in the U.S. territories. In general, the tax authority in each territory, not the IRS, will pay the EIP to eligible residents based on information the IRS will provide to the territories. It is anticipated that beneficiaries in the territories could begin receiving their EIP in early June. People should contact their local tax authority with questions about these payments. Please note their website may use the term “Economic Impact Payment” or “stimulus payment.”

How can I avoid scams related to the Economic Impact Payment?

Remember, the IRS will not call, text you, email you or contact you on social media asking for personal or bank account information – even related to the economic impact payments. Also, watch out for emails with attachments or links claiming to have special information about economic impact payments or refunds.

More Information

Updated 5/14/20: If you have Social Security or SSI benefits and the above information did not cover your situation, Social Security has issued a detailed guidance document:

The IRS has provided these online resources to assist you: