This page will be updated continuously to reflect the most recent information. This page was last updated on January 25, 2021.

Starting in December 2020, the Department of the Treasury began distributing a second round of direct payments 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?

U.S. Citizens and U.S resident aliens can receive the payment, 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 2019 taxes.

How much money could I receive?

Individuals receive $600 and married couples receive $1,200. An additional $600 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.

Do I need to apply for this payment?

Payments will be automatically issued using information from your 2019 tax return, or information entered into the IRS Non-Filer Tool or Get My Payment Tool during the first round of payments. If you receive benefits from the Social Security Administration, they will provide the IRS with the information needed for you to receive the payment.

How do I claim the $600 per child under 17?

If a child is claimed your on your 2019 tax return, the additional payment will be issued automatically. Information from the IRS Non-Filers tool entered during the first round of payments will also be used.

If you did not file taxes in 2019 or enter information into the IRS Non-Filers Tool, you can claim the payment on your 2020 tax return as a Recovery Rebate Credit.

How will the payment be made?

The payment will be be sent using the same method as the first Economic Impact Payment. For most people, the payment was through direct deposit to a bank account, but some payments were deposited to a Direct Express Card or mailed.

If you did not receive the first payment or the payment method used will no longer work, you can claim the payment as a Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2020 tax return.

What is the Recovery Rebate Credit?

The first and second Economic Impact Payment are an advance payment of the Recovery Rebate Credit. If you are eligible but did not receive either of those payments, you can claim the credit by filing your taxes for 2020. This credit can increase your tax refund or lower your taxes owed. You must file form 1040 or 1040-SR to claim the credit, even if you are not normally required to file taxes.

Where can I go to get help with filing my taxes?

If you make less than $60,000 a year, you could receive free tax filing assistance from the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Information on Hawaii’s VITA program sites will be available in February on www.hawaiitaxhelp.org.

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.

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

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