By Joseph Abrahams, Esq.

The treasury department has recently created a new web site that allows eligible individuals who do not normally file tax returns, such as Social Security and SSI recipients, to register for the $1,200 Economic Impact Payment. Social Security and SSI recipients can also use the website to ensure they obtain the $500 per dependent Economic Impact Payment. What steps a Social Security or SSI beneficiary should take depends on whether the individual is receiving Social Security or SSI benefits, when the individual starting receiving such benefits, and whether the individual has dependent children under age 17.

Social Security Beneficiaries

If you receive Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability insurance benefits but you did not file a tax return for 2018 or 2019 and have children under 17, you should visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments. The beneficiary can enter their information at this site to ensure they receive the $500 per dependent child payment in addition to their $1,200 individual payment.

If you became a beneficiary on or after January 1, 2020, but did not file a tax return for 2018 or 2019, you should go to the “Non-Filers” section of the website and enter your information.

If you are a beneficiary who began receiving benefits prior to January 1, 2020, have no qualifying children under 17, and received a SSA-1099 for 2019, then you do not need to take any action with the IRS and you will automatically receive your $1,200 economic impact payment.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries

If you are a SSI recipient you should go to www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments and provide information about yourself and your qualifying children under age 17. You should go to the “Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here” section of the website.

Economic Impact Payments will not be considered as income for SSI recipients and the payments are excluded from resources for 12 months.

We at McIntyre, Donohue, Accardi, Salmonson and Riordan understand that these are difficult times for many individuals and hope that the information above provides some relief from the financial strain that has resulted from the current pandemic. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office at 866-557-7500.