What happened with the third stimulus and SSDI direct deposit

The third stimulus payment, sent in 2021, went to most SSDI recipients through the same direct deposit account Social Security already had on file. If you received your regular SSDI payment by direct deposit, the stimulus arrived the same way—you did not have to do anything or contact Social Security to receive it. The payment was automatic.

The third stimulus was a one-time federal payment of up to $1,400 per person, sent by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Social Security used the banking information it already held to deliver the money. Most payments arrived within a few days of being issued, though some took longer depending on the bank.

If you did not receive your stimulus payment, or if it went to the wrong account, there were steps you could take—but those steps are now closed. The important date to claim a missing third stimulus payment has passed. This article explains what happened, who received it, and what to do if you believe you should have gotten one.

Key Takeaways

  • The third stimulus payment of up to $1,400 was sent automatically to SSDI recipients who had direct deposit set up with Social Security.
  • You did not need to take any action to receive the payment if your direct deposit information was current.
  • If the payment went to a closed or wrong bank account, you could have filed a claim with the IRS, but the important date to do so has now passed.
  • The third stimulus was a one-time payment in 2021 and is not part of your regular SSDI benefit.

Who received the third stimulus through direct deposit

SSDI recipients who had direct deposit active with Social Security received the third stimulus automatically. Social Security sent the payment to the exact bank account where your regular monthly SSDI benefit was deposited. You did not have to sign up, request it, or verify anything.

The payment was based on your 2020 tax return or, if you had not filed one, on the information Social Security already had about you. Most SSDI recipients were included because Social Security is a federal benefit program and the Treasury Department had access to Social Security's records.

If you were receiving SSDI in 2021 and had direct deposit set up, you almost certainly received the third stimulus. If you did not see it arrive, the most common reasons were a closed bank account, a recent change in your banking information that Social Security did not have, or a processing delay at your bank.

What to do if you did not receive the payment

The important date to claim a missing third stimulus payment was December 31, 2023. If you did not receive your payment and did not file a claim by that date, you can no longer recover it through the IRS.

If you believe you should have received the third stimulus but did not, and the important date has not passed in your situation, you would have needed to file a claim with the IRS using Form 3911 (Unclaimed Stimulus Payment Claim). This form asked for your personal information, your bank account details, and an explanation of what happened to the payment. The IRS would then investigate whether the payment was sent and where it went.

Because the important date has closed, your only remaining option is to speak with a tax professional or contact the IRS directly to understand whether there are any other remedies available to you. The IRS may have records showing whether your payment was issued and where.

How direct deposit protects your stimulus payments

Direct deposit is the fastest and safest way to receive federal payments. When your SSDI benefit goes to your bank account by direct deposit, stimulus payments follow the same route. The money goes directly into your account without passing through the mail, where it could be lost or stolen.

If your direct deposit information changes—for example, if you close a bank account or switch banks—it is important to update Social Security as soon as possible. You can do this by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, visiting your local Social Security office, or using your my Social Security account online. If you do not update your information before a payment is issued, it may go to an old account.

Keeping your direct deposit information current protects you not only for stimulus payments but also for your regular monthly SSDI benefit and any other federal payments you may receive.

The difference between stimulus payments and your regular SSDI benefit

The third stimulus payment was a one-time federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was not part of your regular SSDI benefit, and it did not change the amount you receive each month. Your monthly SSDI payment remained the same before and after the stimulus arrived.

Stimulus payments are separate from SSDI and are issued by the Treasury Department, not Social Security. Social Security straightforward provided the banking information so the Treasury could deliver the money. Once the stimulus was issued, it was yours to keep and use however you needed.

If you received the third stimulus, it should not have affected your SSDI benefit amount, your Medicare or Medicaid coverage, or your may be able to access for any other programs. Stimulus payments were not counted as income for most benefit programs.

Checking your bank account and records

If you are unsure whether you received the third stimulus, check your bank statements from March through June 2021. The payment would have appeared as a deposit from "IRS TREAS 310" or similar language indicating it came from the Treasury Department. Your bank statement is the clearest record of whether the money arrived.

You can also check the IRS website using the "Get My Payment" tool, which was available during the stimulus period. Though the tool is no longer active for the third stimulus, your bank records will show definitively whether the payment was deposited.

If you find that the payment went to a closed account or an account you no longer use, contact that bank to ask what happened. Some banks returned unclaimed stimulus payments to the Treasury after a certain period. Your bank may have records showing where the payment went.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still claim the third stimulus if I missed the important date?

The important date to claim a missing third stimulus payment was December 31, 2023, and that important date has passed. You cannot file a new claim with the IRS. Your only option is to contact the IRS directly or speak with a tax professional to learn whether any other remedies exist in your specific situation.

Did the third stimulus reduce my SSDI benefit?

No. The third stimulus was a separate one-time payment and did not affect your monthly SSDI benefit amount. Your SSDI payment remained the same before and after you received the stimulus.

What if the stimulus went to my old bank account?

If you had changed banks before the stimulus was issued and did not update Social Security, the payment may have gone to your old account. Contact that bank and ask what happened to the deposit. Some banks returned unclaimed stimulus payments to the Treasury. If that happened, you would have needed to file a claim with the IRS before the important date.

Do I have to report the third stimulus on my taxes?

No. The third stimulus payment was not taxable income and did not need to be reported on your tax return. You could receive it without any tax consequences.

Will there be another stimulus payment for SSDI recipients?

There have been no additional stimulus payments since the third one in 2021. Any future stimulus payments would be announced by Congress and the Treasury Department. If another stimulus is issued, it would likely be sent through the same direct deposit method.