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CORONAVIRUS

Second stimulus check: can Social Security beneficiaries get the payment?

The initial proposal was that low-income social security recipients would only get half of the amount but that is not actually the case.

Washington (United States), 21/05/2020.- Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell walks to the Senate Floor during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, USA, 21 May 2020. As Leader McConnell waits to see the effects of previ
SHAWN THEWEFE

The CARES Act, which included a first round of stimulus check payments, saw the US government pay out over $2 trillion in cash payments of up to $1,200 to Americans who qualify for the scheme. It came with many questions for struggling families though. One of the big ones was: am I eligible if I receive social security help? The answer is yes.

Those who are collecting Social Security benefits for retirement, disability or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will be eligible for the stimulus payments. According to the IRS, Social Security recipients who weren't required to file federal tax returns for 2018 or 2019 will receive $1,200 stimulus payments automatically based on information contained in their “1099” benefit statements. The initial proposal was that low-income social security recipients would only get half of the amount but that is not the case.

For those claimants who enter bank account information, the IRS will deposit the payment directly into their accounts with the issuing of paper checks as an alternative.

Americans who receive extra Social Security benefits for low-income aged, blind or disabled people are likely to receive their stimulus payments today or through the mail beginning on Friday, according to the Social Security Administration.

What if my stimulus check is delayed?

There might be delays of up to five months for your stimulus check to reach you given the number being sent out by the IRS. There are a number of reasons why if might be delayed aside from the backlog but you should check out the My Payment Tool to see if your check is on its way or if there is another reason for the delay.

U.S. President Donald Trump seated in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, U.S. 28 May 2020.
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U.S. President Donald Trump seated in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, U.S. 28 May 2020.Jonathan ErnstREUTERS

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