SSDI recipients got the third stimulus check on the same schedule as everyone else

If you were receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in 2021, you did not have to do anything to get the third stimulus payment. The IRS and Social Security coordinated to send checks automatically to people already in the system. Most SSDI recipients received their payment between March and May 2021, though the exact timing depended on how you received your regular benefits—by direct deposit, check, or debit card.

The third stimulus was worth $1,400 per person. Married couples filing jointly could receive $2,800 if both were under the income limit. The payment was based on your 2020 tax return or, if you had not filed one, on your Social Security records.

Unlike the first two stimulus payments, the third one did not reduce your SSDI benefits. You kept the full amount without it counting as income that would lower your monthly check.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI recipients received the third stimulus automatically between March and May 2021 without filing anything or contacting Social Security.
  • The payment was $1,400 per person and did not reduce your SSDI benefits or count as income for future benefit calculations.
  • Direct deposit recipients got the money fastest, usually within days of the IRS sending it; check recipients waited longer.
  • If you did not receive your payment by June 2021, you could check the IRS "Get My Payment" tool or contact the IRS to trace it.

How the payment arrived based on your benefit delivery method

Social Security coordinated with the IRS to send stimulus payments using the same method you normally receive your SSDI check. If your benefits went into a bank account by direct deposit, your stimulus arrived the same way—usually within one to three business days of the IRS releasing it. If you received a paper check each month, the IRS mailed your stimulus check, which took one to three weeks depending on postal service delays in your area.

Some SSDI recipients received benefits on a Direct Express debit card, a government-issued card that Social Security uses for people without bank accounts. The third stimulus went onto that card automatically. The card received the deposit on the same schedule as direct deposit accounts.

People who had not filed a 2020 tax return and were not yet in the IRS system sometimes experienced delays. Social Security provided the IRS with records of SSDI recipients, but matching names and addresses took time. If you fell into this group, your payment might have arrived in April or May rather than March.

What happened if you did not receive the payment

If you did not get your third stimulus by mid-June 2021, the first step was to check the IRS "Get My Payment" tool on the IRS website. This tool showed whether the IRS had sent your payment, the amount, and the delivery method. If it said the payment was sent but you never received it, the next step was to report it to the IRS.

People who received paper checks could contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to request a trace. The IRS would investigate whether the check was lost in the mail and could issue a replacement. This process took several weeks. Those with direct deposit could also call the IRS, though direct deposit payments were rarely lost—if the IRS said it was sent, it usually arrived within a few days.

If you had moved since your last SSDI benefit payment, the IRS might have mailed your check to an old address. Updating your address with Social Security did not automatically update the IRS records. You had to file a 2021 tax return or contact the IRS directly to correct the address on file.

Income limits and who was excluded

The third stimulus had income limits. Single filers with modified adjusted gross income over $75,000 received a reduced payment; those over $80,000 received nothing. Married couples filing jointly with income over $150,000 received a reduced payment; those over $160,000 received nothing. Heads of household had a $112,500 threshold for reduction and $117,500 for complete exclusion.

For most SSDI recipients, income limits were not a barrier. SSDI benefits themselves did not count toward the income limit. However, if you had other income—from work, pensions, or investments—that income was counted. The IRS used your 2020 tax return to determine your income. If your income situation changed significantly in 2021, you could file an amended 2020 return to claim the stimulus if you had been incorrectly excluded.

The third stimulus and your SSDI benefits going forward

The third stimulus payment did not affect your SSDI benefits in any way. It did not count as income for the purpose of calculating your monthly check, and it did not trigger a review of your case. This was different from some other forms of information, which can reduce your benefits if you have too much income or resources.

However, if you spent the money and then later faced a financial crisis, the stimulus did not protect you from resource limits. SSDI has a resource limit of $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples. If you saved the stimulus payment and your total resources exceeded these limits, it could affect your benefits. Most people spent the money quickly, so this was not a practical concern for most recipients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did I have to report the stimulus payment to Social Security?

No. The stimulus was not considered income or a resource for SSDI purposes. You did not have to report it, and it did not affect your benefits. Social Security and the IRS handled the payment separately.

What if I was in prison or a medical facility when the stimulus was sent?

SSDI recipients in prison are not may be able to access for stimulus payments. If you were in a medical facility but still receiving SSDI, you were may be able to access. If your payment was sent to an address where you were no longer living, you could contact the IRS to request a replacement or have it reissued to a new address.

Can I still claim the third stimulus if I missed it in 2021?

If you did not receive the third stimulus and were not excluded by income limits, you could claim it on your 2021 tax return as a Recovery Rebate Credit. You would need to file a 2021 return even if you normally do not file. The important date to claim it was April 15, 2022, but some people filed late returns after that date.

Did the stimulus count as income for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

No. SSI and SSDI are separate programs, but both recipients received the same stimulus treatment. The third stimulus did not count as income for SSI either, though SSI has stricter resource limits than SSDI.