Will disability recipients get a fourth stimulus check

The third round of stimulus checks saw more than 169 million payments sent out to eligible Americans, and some are pushing for a fourth as inflation continues to bite. The threat of the more contagious covid-19 variant, Omicron, has spooked the markets and created new wave of illness.

In early January the United States surpassed one million covid-19 cases in a single day for the first time, and then went on to beat that record in each of the three following days. With individuals forced to self-isolate after a positive test there is concern that millions could have their livelihood threatened.

The non-partisan advocacy group Senior Citizens League (TSCL) has called on Congress to send those receiving Social Security additional stimulus money. In a letter, TSCL Chairman Rick Delaney implored leaders in Congress to approve a one-off $1,400 Social Security stimulus payment for seniors.

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The Omicron crisis comes at the same time as high levels of inflation in the American economy have seen prices soar across the country. Those on a fixed income like Social Security are seeing rapid decreases in their purchasing power. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that since October 2020, consumers are paying on average 6.2 percent more across the market. Prices for food are up 5.3 percent.

Social Security Administration announced a historic COLA increase

The campaign began before the announcement of the 5.9 percent COLA increase, but has continued after reports from thousands of seniors said they were experiencing extreme financial hardship as prices began to trend upward. Many have expressed a feeling of abandonment from the government telling TSCL “our government has forgotten about us.”

Researchers with the TSCL have found that costs for seniors have outpaced COLA increase. While over the last twenty-one years, "COLAs have raised Social Security benefits by 55 percent," the costs for housing and healthcare increased 118 and 145 percent, respectively.

The stimulus law transformed the CTC into a near-universal child allowance with the 1st of 6 checks going out in July.

It was meant to establish a new link between children and the government, like the type that exists between Social Security and seniors.https://t.co/kOf5J3x51d

— Joseph Zeballos-Roig (@josephzeballos) January 14, 2022

Is a new stimulus check coming for Social Security beneficiaries?

On Friday 19 November, the House of Representatives passed the Build Back Better Act. While it does not include a stimulus check for those on Social Security it does include some benefits for seniors. These include the expansion of Medicare to include hearing services, and provisions that will grant the government power to negotiate a limited about of drug prices with pharmaceutical companies each year.

However, the bill could not be passed before Christmas after key moderate Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin announced that he would not support the Build Back Better bill.

The bill would have extended the Child Tax Credit, but had no provisions for another stimulus check. So far, leaders on Capitol Hill have been silent on their support or opposition to a targeted stimulus check for seniors.

Seniors feel the brunt of inflation pressures

The Center on Medicare and Medicaid announced a 14.5 percent increase in the price of the Medicare Part B premium which is subtracted from a Social Security beneficiary's check each month. From 2020 to 2021, the price only increased two percent, showing the impact that inflation is having on the healthcare market.

After the increase was announced, Mary Johnson, a Social Security and Medicare policy analyst urged leaders to take action and warned that “The Part B increase from $148.50 to $170.10 per month is the highest since 2016 and will consume the entire annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) of Social Security recipients with the very lowest benefits, of about $365 per month.”

If you are currently receiving Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, you may be wondering whether you qualify for the stimulus checks appropriated in the $900 billion legislation recently passed by Congress. This massive Coronavirus relief bill passed in both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate on December 21, 2020. Though, as of the date of this post, the President has yet to officially sign the bill into law.

If the bill is officially enacted, many Americans should expect to receive a check from the federal government for $600 per person. The legislation stipulates that, in general, individuals currently receiving disability benefits are eligible for the Coronavirus relief checks. If you filed your federal taxes jointly, there is a chance you will receive a $1,200 check. In addition, if you have a child under the age of 17, you will likely receive an extra $600 check.

Impact of the Coronavirus Stimulus Check on Your Eligibility for Disability Benefits

If you are concerned that receiving a stimulus check will hurt your chances of receiving social security disability benefits, do not fret. The process of assessing eligibility for disability benefits is not dependent upon on your income or assets. Generally, to qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you need to have worked in an area of employment covered by Social Security and received a diagnosis for a medical condition that has left you disabled and unable to work.

Eligibility Requirements to Receive a Coronavirus Relief Stimulus Check

As mentioned earlier, recipients of disability benefits are not excluded from receiving the stimulus checks, but there are specific requirements that must be met in order to qualify for these funds. First, you must have a valid Social Security number. Second, you must not be claimed as a dependent on another individual’s tax return. Third, you cannot be incarcerated. Fourth, your income will dictate how much you receive. For example, only individuals making less than $75,000 are eligible to receive the full $600. The government typically uses recent tax filings to determine an individual’s income in most cases.

Change in Income Can Affect How Much Stimulus Money You Receive

Many Americans lost their jobs or had their hours reduced dramatically, which is likely going to impact their total income for tax year 2020. This is noteworthy because your 2019 tax return may not be reflective of your current income status. For example, someone may have made $125,000 during tax year 2019, but suddenly lost their job in early April 2020 causing their total income for 2020 to take a nosedive. Unfortunately, if the IRS uses the 2019 tax return, this individual might be disqualified from receiving a COVID-19 stimulus check or will receive a greatly reduced amount. If you find yourself in this situation, make sure to file your 2020 tax return and pursue a stimulus payment rebate in 2021.

Impact of Not Filing a Tax Return on Your Ability to Receive a Stimulus Check

If your only source of income is federal disability benefits, there is a good chance you did not file a personal income tax return in recent years. This is because individuals are not required to file typical tax returns when their income levels are below a specific threshold and/or rely exclusively on federal benefits. According to the CARES Act (i.e. the first Coronavirus relief package), individuals who relied exclusively on disability benefits would still be able to get a stimulus check, even if they did not file a tax return in recent years.

Recipients of Disability Benefits Who Have Other Sources of Income

If you receive social security disability benefits and other sources of income that bumps your total income over $75,000, expect a reduction in the amount you receive via a Coronavirus stimulus check.  If you are married and filed a joint tax return, expect a similar reduction in the amount of the stimulus check if you and your spouse’s income exceed $150,000.

The stimulus payments are steadily reduced for individuals and married couples with incomes in excess of $75,000 (for individuals) or $150,000 (for married couples). In addition, the stimulus payments are phased out entirely for individuals earning in excess of $87,000 and married couples who earned in excess of $174,000.

The income thresholds in the new legislation are much stricter and less generous in comparison to the income thresholds used pursuant to the CARES Act.  In the first Coronavirus relief legislation, individuals earning less than $99,000 remained eligible to receive a stimulus check and married couples earning less than $198,000 were able to get a stimulus check.

The Income That Matters to the IRS in Determining the Check Amount

The IRS generally utilizes the “adjusted gross income” of an individual or married couple to determine the amount to be disbursed via a new stimulus check.

How Stimulus Checks Will Be Distributed to Disability Benefit Recipients

Social Security disability benefit recipients who were not required to submit a federal income tax return in 2018 or 2019 will receive the stimulus check automatically based on data contained within a “1099” benefit statement. This means no additional documentation will be required for most disability benefit recipients in order to receive the stimulus payment. The payment could very well be directly deposited into your account.

The automatic disbursement was not the original plan for these stimulus checks. In fact, the IRS initially planned to require individuals, including those who rely exclusively on disability benefit income, to complete a form to receive a stimulus check. However, after public pressure, the IRS agreed to simply use the “1099” benefit statements to retrieve the information needed to send out the stimulus payments.

If you are curious about the status of your stimulus check, take a moment to visit the “Get My Payment” page maintained by the IRS.

Have Questions About Your Eligibility for Social Security Disability Benefits? Take Action Today

Properly assessing the impact of a COVID-19 stimulus check in your eligibility for social security disability benefits assumes you are receiving those benefits. If you have not yet applied for disability benefits, now is the time for action. Determine your eligibility for disability benefits by filling out our free evaluation form.