There was no fourth stimulus check in 2024

The federal government issued three rounds of economic impact payments during the COVID-19 pandemic: one in 2020, one in early 2021, and one in mid-2021. SSDI recipients received those payments automatically if they had filed a tax return or were already in the Social Security system. There has been no fourth round, and no legislation has passed to create one.

Social Security Administration (SSA) does not announce stimulus payments through press releases or social media alerts. If you see a post claiming a fourth check is coming "today" or "this week," it is misinformation. The only way to know about a real federal payment is through official SSA channels: ssa.gov, your Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount, or a letter mailed to your address on file.

Some states and localities have run their own relief programs, but these are separate from federal stimulus and vary widely in amount, timing, and who can receive them. A state program is not the same as a federal stimulus check.

Key Takeaways

  • The three federal stimulus payments ended in 2021; no fourth payment has been authorized by Congress or issued by the Treasury Department.
  • SSDI recipients who received the first three payments did so automatically through the Social Security system without having to take any action.
  • Posts claiming a fourth stimulus check is coming "today" or "this week" are not from the government and should not be trusted.
  • Some states have issued their own one-time payments to low-income residents, but these are not federal stimulus and rules differ by state.
  • The official way to check for any payment to your Social Security account is through ssa.gov/myaccount or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

Why the third payment was the last federal stimulus

Congress passed three stimulus bills during the pandemic: the CARES Act (March 2020), the Consolidated Appropriations Act (December 2020), and the American Rescue Plan (March 2021). Each authorized a one-time payment to individuals who met income thresholds. The third payment, issued between March and December 2021, was the final round Congress authorized.

Since 2021, no new stimulus legislation has passed. Proposals for additional payments have been introduced in Congress but have not become law. Economic conditions, inflation, and political disagreement over spending have meant no new round has moved forward.

SSDI recipients were included in all three rounds because Social Security beneficiaries were treated as a group may be able to access for the payments. The SSA processed and sent the payments on behalf of the Treasury Department, which is why they appeared as deposits to the same account where you receive your monthly benefit.

How to tell real payment news from false claims

Scammers and misinformation spreaders use social media, text messages, and email to claim a new stimulus is coming. They often say it is "approved today" or "available this week" to create urgency. These posts are never from the government.

The real SSA will never contact you first through social media, email, or unsolicited text. If you receive a message claiming to be from Social Security about a payment, do not click any link or provide any information. Instead, go directly to ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213 to verify.

Official announcements about federal payments come through Treasury Department press releases, SSA.gov, and letters mailed to your address. You can also check your Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount to see your payment history and any deposits to your account.

State and local relief programs that may still be active

Some states created their own relief funds separate from federal stimulus. These programs vary by state and may still be open in 2024, though many have closed or run out of money. Unlike federal stimulus, state programs usually have income limits, residency requirements, and process processes.

To learn about your state has an active relief program, contact your state's department of social services or visit your state's official website. You can also call 211 (a national helpline) to ask about local information programs in your area. Be cautious of any program that charges a fee to explore or asks for payment upfront.

State programs are not automatic. If one exists in your state, you typically must submit an process and provide proof of income and residency. Processing times vary from a few weeks to several months.

What to do if you see a false stimulus claim

If you see a post, email, or text claiming a fourth stimulus check is coming, do not share it or click any links. Report it to the platform where you saw it (Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, etc.) so it can be removed. You can also report scams to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

If you received a suspicious email or text claiming to be from Social Security, forward it to phishing@ssa.gov. The SSA uses this address to track scam attempts. Do not reply to the message or click any links in it.

If you are unsure whether a payment you received is real, log into your Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount to see your payment history. Your account shows every deposit, when it was made, and what it was for. If you see a deposit you do not recognize, contact SSA at 1-800-772-1213.

How the three stimulus payments worked for SSDI recipients

SSDI recipients did not have to do anything to receive the three stimulus payments. The SSA automatically sent the money to the bank account or address on file for anyone receiving SSDI benefits. The first payment was $1,200 per person, the second was $600, and the third was up to $1,400 depending on income.

If you were receiving SSDI in 2020 and 2021, you should have received all three payments. If you did not, you could claim the missing amount on your federal tax return for that year. The IRS called this the Recovery Rebate Credit, and you could file a return even if you normally did not have to file one.

The payments were not counted as income for purposes of SSI (Supplemental Security Income), though they could affect your resources if you received SSI rather than SSDI. SSDI and SSI have different rules, so the impact depended on which program you were on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will there ever be another federal stimulus check?

Congress would have to pass new legislation to authorize another round of payments. There is no current bill that has passed or is scheduled for a vote. You can check Congress.gov to see if any stimulus proposals are pending, but no new payment has been authorized since 2021.

What if I did not receive one of the three stimulus payments?

You could claim the missing payment on your federal tax return using the Recovery Rebate Credit. You can file a return for 2020 or 2021 even if you do not normally file. Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or visit irs.gov for instructions on how to claim it.

Can I check if a payment was sent to my Social Security account?

Yes. Log into your account at ssa.gov/myaccount to see your payment history and all deposits. You can also call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and ask a representative to review your account. Have your Social Security number ready.

Is it safe to click links in emails about stimulus payments?

No. The real SSA never sends unsolicited emails about payments. If you receive an email claiming to be from Social Security, do not click any links. Go directly to ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213 instead. Forward suspicious emails to phishing@ssa.gov.

Do I have to pay taxes on the stimulus payments I received?

No. The three stimulus payments were not taxable income. You do not report them on your tax return, and they do not affect your tax bill. They also do not count as earnings for purposes of SSDI work incentives.