Most Social Security beneficiaries won’t have to do much to receive their Economic Impact Payment (i.e. stimulus checks) amid the coronavirus outbreak, but the deadline for some beneficiaries with minor dependents to file for their extra $500 per child has been set for Wednesday.
The Department of the Treasury and the IRS launched a new web portal earlier this month that will help people who do not typically file tax returns provide the necessary information to get their coronavirus stimulus check.
While this should help a lot of lower income people secure their Economic Impact Payment, the Social Security Administration is urging beneficiaries who claim dependents age 17 or younger to use the web portal to assure they receive their $500 extra per dependent on time.
This a fairly specific subset of Social Security beneficiaries including anyone who:
- Receives Social Security retirement, survivors or disability insurance benefits.
- And who did not file a tax return for 2018 or 2019.
- And who have qualifying children under age 17.
Update on Economic Impact Payment for Social Security Recipients With Minor Dependents
In a Monday press release Saul mentioned that Social Security recipients who don’t file taxes should start receiving their Economic Impact Payment soon.
He added, however, that anyone who has a minor dependent needs to go here and claim the dependent by Wednesday in order to get the extra $500 per dependent now.
“Social Security retirement, survivors, and disability insurance beneficiaries with dependent children and who did not file 2018 or 2019 taxes need to act by Wednesday, April 22, in order to receive additional payments for their eligible children quickly,” Saul wrote.
If anyone who qualifies for this benefit doesn’t take action by Wednesday’s deadline, they will have to wait and file a 2020 tax return next year in order to get the extra money.
“I urge Social Security and SSI recipients with qualifying children who do not normally file taxes to take action now. Immediately go to IRS.gov so that you will receive the full amount of the Economic Impact Payments you and your family are eligible for,” Saul said.
So while most Social Security beneficiaries won’t have to lift a finger to get their Economic Impact Payment, if you have minor dependents it literally pays to take a little extra time to submit the relevant information to assure you get everything you deserve in a timely manner.
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