SSDI recipients are not receiving a stimulus check in 2024

There is no stimulus payment being sent to SSDI beneficiaries in 2024. The last federal stimulus checks went out in 2021, during the pandemic. Since then, Congress has not authorized new stimulus payments, and there are no current plans to send them.

If you received a letter or email claiming SSDI recipients are getting a check in 2024, it is likely a scam. Scammers often target benefit recipients by promising money that does not exist. The real Social Security Administration will never contact you first about a payment you did not request.

Key Takeaways

  • No stimulus checks are being sent to SSDI recipients in 2024 — the last ones were distributed in 2021.
  • Messages promising stimulus money to SSDI beneficiaries are typically scams designed to steal personal information or money.
  • The Social Security Administration does not contact people first to offer payments or ask for personal details.
  • If you believe you were targeted by a scam, report it to the Office of Inspector General or the Federal Trade Commission.

How to spot a stimulus check scam

Scammers use several tactics to trick SSDI recipients. They may send emails or texts that look like they come from Social Security, claim you are owed money, ask you to "verify" your information, or tell you to click a link or call a number. Some will ask for your Social Security number, bank account details, or payment to "unlock" a check.

Real Social Security communications come by mail to your address on file, not by email or text. Social Security will never ask you to confirm your Social Security number, password, or bank details through email, text, or an unsolicited phone call. If someone contacts you claiming to represent Social Security and asking for information, hang up or delete the message and call Social Security directly at 1-800-772-1213.

What actually happened with past stimulus checks

The federal government sent three rounds of stimulus payments during the COVID-19 pandemic: in 2020, 2021, and 2021 again. SSDI recipients were included in all three rounds. The payments ranged from $600 to $1,400 per person, depending on the round and your income.

Those payments ended in 2021. Congress would need to pass new legislation to authorize another round, and that has not happened. You can check the IRS website or your Social Security account to see if you received the payments you were owed from those years, but there is nothing new coming in 2024.

How to check your Social Security account safely

If you want to verify your SSDI payment information or check for any updates, create an account at ssa.gov using your real Social Security number and address. This is the only official Social Security website. Once you log in, you can see your payment history and any notices Social Security has sent you.

Never use a link from an email or text to access your account. Type the address directly into your browser or call 1-800-772-1213 to speak with someone at Social Security. Taking these steps protects you from phishing scams that look real but steal your information.

What to do if you think you were scammed

If you gave someone your Social Security number, bank account information, or money based on a promise of a stimulus check, act quickly. Contact your bank or credit card company right away to report the fraud and ask them to monitor your account for unauthorized charges.

Then report the scam to the Social Security Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-269-0271. You can also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. These agencies track scams and use the information to warn others and investigate fraud rings.

Why scammers target SSDI recipients

SSDI beneficiaries are frequent targets because scammers know that people on fixed incomes may be more vulnerable to promises of extra money. Scammers also know that SSDI recipients have Social Security numbers and bank accounts, which are valuable for identity theft.

Staying alert is your best defense. Remember that if you did not request a payment, Social Security will not send one. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Could a stimulus check come later in 2024?

Congress would have to pass a law authorizing it first. There are no current proposals to send stimulus checks to any group in 2024. If that changes, Social Security will announce it through official channels and news outlets, not through unsolicited emails or texts.

What if I missed a stimulus check from 2021?

You can claim it on your tax return for that year if you have not already. The IRS has information about unclaimed stimulus payments at irs.gov. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to ask whether you received all three payments you were owed.

Is there any other money SSDI recipients should know about?

SSDI itself is your ongoing benefit — it is not a one-time payment. Some states offer additional programs for people with disabilities, but these vary by location. Contact your state's disability office or call 211 to learn what programs may be available where you live.

What should I do if I get a call claiming to be from Social Security?

Hang up. Real Social Security employees do not call people out of the blue to offer money or ask for personal information. If you think the call might have been real, hang up and call Social Security yourself at 1-800-772-1213 using the number on your benefit statement or official Social Security mail.