By: Kate L. Wakeman, Esq.

On April 20, 2020, the IRS issued a special alert regarding Economic Impact Payments (“stimulus checks”) for people who receive Social Security Retirement, Social Security Disability (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Railroad Retirement Benefits (RRB), who did not file a tax return in 2018 or 2019. The IRS alert can be found here.

If these benefit recipients would like to add the additional $500.00 per eligible child to their checks, immediate action is required.  The deadline to act is 12 noon (Eastern time) on Wednesday, April 22, 2020.  The IRS only provided two (2) days’ notice of this requirement.

Federal benefit recipients with eligible children who would like to add the additional $500.00 per eligible child to their $1,200.00 check must contact the IRS and provide their dependent information. They can use the special non-filer tool on www.IRS.gov.

The IRS is automatically issuing Economic Impact Payments of $1,200.00 to individuals receiving Social Security Retirement, SSDI, SSI and RRB. If these recipients are eligible for additional payments of $500.00 per eligible child and do not make the election by April 22, 2020, their checks will only be for $1,200.00 and the additional $500.00 per eligible child would be paid with a tax return filing for tax year 2020.  

The Economic Impact Payments are part of the federal government’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Elder Law Center of Kirson & Fuller hopes that you and your loved ones remain safe and healthy during this unprecedented time. We remain available to assist you with your legal needs. Please call our office at 407-422-3017 for assistance.