Because COVID-19 isn’t a long-term chronic illness, there is still much to be determined about how those who recover from the virus will be affected in the coming weeks and months. While it is unlikely that an individual would be able to claim Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI) as a direct result of contracting Coronavirus, if they experience other chronic illnesses that were initially caused by the virus or aggravated by it, they may be able to claim benefits for those conditions. However, the federal government is working to help those who receive Supplemental Security Income or SSI to receive an economic impact payment to help offset lost wages and other costs associated with the pandemic. Keep reading to learn more.
I Currently Receive SSI Benefits, How Can I get my COVID-19 Economic Impact Payment?
For individuals who are receiving SSI benefits and did not file 2018 or 2019 federal income taxes and have qualifying children under age 17 in the home, it’s important not to wait for an automatic economic impact check to be sent in the mail. To make sure you receive your qualifying payment, you should visit the IRS website as soon as possible and enter in the information for Non-Filers.
It is essential for SSI recipients with dependent children who did not file taxes in 2018 or 2019 to complete this information as soon as possible, as they will not be eligible to receive additional payments for eligible dependents after May 5, 2020. If you do not provide this information to the IRS as soon as possible, you will only be eligible for the base payment of $1,200 at this time. To be eligible for the additional $500 economic impact payment for each dependent child, you would be required to file income taxes for the 2020 tax year.
Information for Direct Express Card Holders
If you are a Direct Express Card Holder, you can still use the Non-Filer tool on the IRS website, but your payment will not be sent to your Direct Express card. Instead, you can receive your economic impact payment via a non-Direct Express bank account or in the mail. Worried about how the economic impact payments will affect your SSI benefits? They won’t! The Social Security Administration will not be considering these payments as income for SSI recipients, and they will be excluded from any of your resources for 12 months.
Beware of Scammers
Additionally, it’s important that SSI recipients are aware of potential COVID-19 scammers that may try to take advantage of the current situation. To protect yourself, do not give out personal or banking information over the phone to anyone claiming to be calling from the US Treasury Dept., the IRS, or the Social Security Administration. If you would like more information regarding potential COVID-19 scams, please visit the Treasury’s website and report suspected economic impact payment fraud.
Contact Joel Thrift Law Today
Interested in learning more about the SSDI and SSI claims process? Please give us a call at (404) 618-4816 or contact our experienced attorneys today for more information and be sure to schedule a free initial consultation.