There was no fourth stimulus check

The federal government issued three rounds of stimulus payments during the COVID-19 pandemic: in March 2020, December 2020, and March 2021. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients were included in all three rounds. There has been no fourth stimulus payment, and no fourth payment is currently planned by Congress.

The confusion around a "fourth stimulus check" comes partly from ongoing discussions about additional relief measures and partly from state-level programs that some people mistook for federal payments. If you received a payment you thought might be a fourth stimulus check, it was likely from a different source—a state tax refund, a state relief program, or a payment from another federal program.

SSDI recipients who received the first three stimulus checks did not need to do anything special to get them. The payments were sent automatically to the bank account or address on file with Social Security, just as they were for other benefit recipients.

Key Takeaways

  • Congress authorized three stimulus payments total: March 2020, December 2020, and March 2021—not four.
  • SSDI recipients received all three payments automatically without needing to take any action.
  • Payments went to the bank account or mailing address Social Security had on file for you.
  • If you received money you thought was a fourth stimulus check, check your bank statement or contact your state revenue office to identify the actual source.

How the three stimulus payments worked for SSDI recipients

SSDI recipients were treated the same as other Social Security beneficiaries for stimulus payments. You did not have to file a tax return, submit a form, or contact Social Security. The payments were sent automatically based on your Social Security record.

The first payment in March 2020 was $1,200 per adult and $500 per child. The second payment in December 2020 was $600 per adult and $600 per child. The third payment in March 2021 was $1,400 per adult and $1,400 per child. If you were receiving SSDI at the time each payment was issued, you should have received it.

Payments were deposited directly to the bank account associated with your Social Security account, or mailed as a check if you did not have direct deposit set up. Some recipients received their payments on a special debit card issued by the Treasury Department.

Why people search for a fourth stimulus check

Several things have kept the idea of a fourth stimulus check alive in public conversation. Some members of Congress have proposed additional stimulus payments, but these proposals have not passed. Advocacy groups and individuals have called for more relief, especially as inflation rose in 2022 and 2023, but no new federal stimulus has been authorized.

Additionally, some states created their own relief programs and sent payments to residents during or after the pandemic. These were state funds, not federal stimulus checks. For example, some states sent tax refunds, inflation relief payments, or pandemic information using state budget surpluses. These payments were real, but they were not federal stimulus checks and were not available to all SSDI recipients nationwide.

Social media posts and email scams have also spread false information about a fourth stimulus check. Scammers sometimes claim they can help you "claim" or "unlock" a fourth payment that does not exist, hoping to collect personal information or money from you.

How to check if you received all three stimulus payments

If you are unsure whether you received all three stimulus payments, you can check your records. The IRS maintains a record of all stimulus payments issued. You can visit the IRS website and use the "Get My Payment" tool, which shows the status and deposit information for each of the three payments.

You can also check your bank statements from March 2020, December 2020, and March 2021 to see if deposits arrived. If you received a paper check, look through your records or contact your bank to see if it was deposited or cashed.

If you did not receive one or more of the three payments and believe you were may have access to to them, you can claim the missing amount on your tax return. The IRS allows you to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit for any stimulus payment you did not receive. You would file this claim on your next tax return or contact the IRS directly.

What to do if you received an unexpected payment

If you received a payment you do not recognize and are wondering if it is a fourth stimulus check, start by checking the source. Look at your bank statement to see who deposited the money—the IRS, your state revenue office, Social Security, or another agency.

If the deposit came from your state, it was likely a state relief program, tax refund, or inflation relief payment. Contact your state's revenue or tax office to ask what the payment was for. If it came from the IRS, check the IRS website or call their helpline to confirm what it was.

Do not assume any unexpected payment is yours to keep without confirming what it is. Some payments may need to be returned, and keeping money you are not may have access to to can create problems later.

Scams claiming to help you get a fourth stimulus check

Be cautious of anyone claiming they can help you get a fourth stimulus check. Scammers use this false promise to collect personal information like your Social Security number, bank account details, or tax information. They may also ask you to pay a fee to "unlock" or "claim" a payment.

The real stimulus payments were sent automatically by the government. You never had to pay anyone, provide personal information to a third party, or take any action to receive them. If someone contacts you offering to help you get stimulus money, it is a scam.

If you receive a suspicious email, text, or phone call about a fourth stimulus check, do not respond or click any links. You can report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or to your state's attorney general office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will there ever be another stimulus check?

Congress would have to pass new legislation to authorize another stimulus payment. As of now, no fourth stimulus has been approved. Any future stimulus would be announced by Congress and the Treasury Department, and payments would be sent automatically to those who may have access to—you would not need to explore or contact anyone.

What if I missed one of the three stimulus payments?

You can claim the missing payment as a Recovery Rebate Credit on your tax return. File your return or contact the IRS to report the missing payment. The IRS can also help you trace what happened to the payment if it was sent but you never received it.

Can I get a fourth stimulus check if I did not receive the first three?

There is no fourth stimulus check to receive. If you missed any of the first three payments, focus on claiming those through the Recovery Rebate Credit process. Contact the IRS or a tax professional for help recovering the payments you are owed.

Is the payment I received from my state the same as a federal stimulus check?

No. State payments are separate from federal stimulus checks. They come from state budgets and are only available to residents of that state. The three federal stimulus checks were sent nationwide to SSDI recipients and other may be able to access people. State payments vary by state and may have different rules.

How do I know if a payment I received is real or a scam?

Real payments come directly from the government—the IRS, Social Security, or your state revenue office. Check your bank statement to see who deposited the money. If you are unsure, contact the agency directly using a phone number or website you find yourself, not one provided in an email or text. Never pay anyone to help you get government money.