Some Federal Benefits Recipients Need to Act Immediately to Get Additional Stimulus Funds Faster

The IRS is urging certain federal benefits recipients to act quickly to ensure they are eligible to get additional stimulus payments quickly.

The Internal Revenue Service issued a special statement for certain federal benefits recipients urging them to take action by this Wednesday, April 22, in order to get additional stimulus money quickly if they have dependents.

According to the IRS, the $1,200 coronavirus stimulus payments are going to be issued to these individuals soon. However, if they didn’t file a tax return in 2018 or 2019 and they have qualifying dependents, the agency needs their dependent information before the payments are issued, otherwise it will delay their receiving the $500 per eligible child additional payment amounts. This will require these individuals to take an extra step to claim the dependents.

This additional step only applies to individuals receiving Social Security retirement, survivor or disability benefits (SSDI), Railroad Retirement benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries who didn’t file a tax return in the last two years and who have a qualifying child.

How to Register for the Additional Stimulus Payments

To register, these individuals should access the special non-filer tool on IRS.gov by noon Eastern time, Wednesday, April 22, which may help put all of their eligible Economic Income Payment into a single payment.

First Window Affects SSA/RRB Recipients With Children; SSI and VA Recipients Have Slightly More Time

For certain SSA / RRB beneficiaries who don’t normally file a tax return and do not register with the IRS by April 22, they will still be eligible to receive the separate payment of $500 per qualifying child.

For those who miss the April 22 deadline, their payment at this time will be $1,200 and, by law, the additional $500 per eligible child amount would be paid in association with a return filing for tax year 2020. They will not be eligible to use the Non-Filer tool to add eligible children once their $1,200 payment has been issued.

SSI and VA beneficiaries have some additional time beyond April 22 to add their children since their $1,200 automatic payments will be made at a later date.

SSI recipients will receive their automatic payments in early May, and the VA payment schedule for beneficiaries who receive Compensation and Pension (C&P) benefit payments is still being determined.

If they have children and aren’t required to file a tax return, both groups are urged to use the Non-Filer tool as soon as possible. Once their $1,200 payment has been issued, they will not be eligible to use the Non-Filer tool to add eligible children. Their payment will be $1,200 and, by law, the additional $500 per eligible child amount would be paid in association with a return filing for tax year 2020.

About the Author

Ian Smith is one of the co-founders of FedSmith.com. He has over 20 years of combined experience in media and government services, having worked at two government contracting firms and an online news and web development company prior to his current role at FedSmith.