Additional Steps May Be Needed to Receive Your COVID-19 Payment

On May 5, 2020 the deadline to file for and receive $500 per qualifying child from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) passed. This payment is in addition to the $1,200 COVID-19 economic impact payment. The $1,200 payment did not require additional action, and should be received via direct deposit by May 13, 2020. The first paper checks will be mailed on May 15, 2020.

Fortunately, you may still be eligible to receive the $500 payment(s) for qualifying children when you file your 2020 tax return. The Social Security Administration created a document to help you determine your eligibility. The seven page, highly detailed document contains simple charts from which you can determine any action you must take to receive your payment(s), as well as when you can expect to receive them. You can review the document at the Social Security Administration’s website.

Eligibility is impacted by the date you began receiving Social Security benefits (Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Retirement, survivors, or disability), your number of qualifying children, and whether or not you filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return.

For more detailed information about this topic, such as payments to those with representative payees or Direct Express cards, please read the SSA press release.

If you have further questions, or would like help filing for Social Security, you can contact Schaffer & Associates, LPA at 419-350-8277 or via our online form. We are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. One of our dedicated SSI / SSD attorneys would be happy to meet with you in person or over the phone.