Social Security Recipients, Veterans Must Act Now to Get Extra $500 Stimulus Check
The deadline for seniors and veterans to request an additional $500 stimulus check for a dependent child is almost here. Here's how you can claim your payment.


Seniors and veterans otherwise eligible for a stimulus check who receive Social Security retirement benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Railroad Retirement (RR) benefits, or Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation and pension benefits have until 3:00 p.m. Eastern on November 21, 2020, to claim an additional $500-per-child payment if they didn't already receive the amount as part of their original stimulus check. That's this Saturday!
Americans who receive these federal benefits, but didn't file a 2018 or 2019 tax return, should have automatically received a $1,200 stimulus payment earlier this year. However, if they have (or care for) dependent children 16 years old or younger, they were instructed to go online and use the IRS's "Non-Filers: Enter Your Payment Info Here" tool to get the extra $500 per child that's allowed under the CARES Act.
The catch was that they originally had to use the tool by a certain time and with little notice. People receiving Social Security, SSI, or RR benefits initially had until noon Eastern time on April 22 to have the additional amount included in their stimulus check payment – and the IRS gave them less than 48 hours' notice of the deadline! Veterans receiving VA benefits had until May 5 to use the IRS's online tool. Unfortunately, many seniors and veterans with dependent children didn't act in time and didn't get the extra $500.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
The Revised Deadline
Fortunately, the IRS reopened the registration period for Social Security, SSI, RR, and VA beneficiaries who didn't receive the additional $500 payment for a dependent child. They now have until 3:00 p.m. Eastern on November 21 to use the Non-Filers tool to provide information about their child. If you miss the November 21 deadline, you'll need to wait until next year and claim the $500 as a credit on your 2020 federal income tax return.
If you received your original $1,200 payment by direct deposit, the additional payment for your dependent children will also be directly deposited to the same account. Otherwise, you'll receive a paper check in the mail.
If you already used the Non-Filers tool to provide information on your children, no further action is needed – the IRS will automatically send a payment to you.
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
Rocky Mengle was a Senior Tax Editor for Kiplinger from October 2018 to January 2023 with more than 20 years of experience covering federal and state tax developments. Before coming to Kiplinger, Rocky worked for Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting, and Kleinrock Publishing, where he provided breaking news and guidance for CPAs, tax attorneys, and other tax professionals. He has also been quoted as an expert by USA Today, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, Reuters, Accounting Today, and other media outlets. Rocky holds a law degree from the University of Connecticut and a B.A. in History from Salisbury University.
-
Stocks Can't Hold Meta, Microsoft Gains: Stock Market Today
The main indexes all opened higher Thursday on impressive Big Tech earnings, but momentum faded into the close.
-
Retirement Health Care Costs Are On the Rise: What You Need to Know
A 65-year-old retiree will face significantly higher lifetime health care costs than they would have a year ago, even with Medicare. Here are the surprising totals.
-
Ask the Editor, July 25: Questions on Four New Tax Deductions
Ask the Editor In this week's Ask the Editor Q&A, we answer tax questions from readers on four new tax deductions in the "One Big Beautiful Bill."
-
Five Ways Trump’s 2025 Tax Bill Could Boost Your Tax Refund (or Shrink It)
Tax Refunds The tax code is changing again, and if you’re filing for 2025, Trump’s ‘big beautiful’ bill could mean a bigger refund, a smaller one or something in between next year. Here are five ways the new law could impact your bottom line.
-
New SALT Deduction Could Put Thousands Back in California Homeowners’ Pockets
Tax Breaks The federal state and local sales tax (SALT) deduction cap is higher this year, and could translate into bigger savings for Golden State homeowners.
-
Money for Your Kids? Three Ways Trump's ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Impacts Your Child's Finances
Tax Tips The Trump tax bill could help your child with future education and homebuying costs. Here’s how.
-
Ask the Editor, July 18: Questions on the $6,000 Senior Deduction
Ask the Editor In this week's Ask the Editor Q&A, we answer tax questions from readers on the new $6,000 deduction for taxpayers 65 and older.
-
Why Your Summer Budget Feels Tighter: Tariffs Push Up Inflation
Tariffs Your summer holiday just got more expensive, and tariffs are partially to blame, economists say.
-
Alabama Tax-Free Weekend 2025
Tax Holiday Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 back-to-school Alabama sales tax holiday.
-
Key 2025 Tax Changes for Parents in Trump's Megabill
Tax Changes Are you a parent? The so-called ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ (OBBB) impacts several key tax incentives that can affect your family this year and beyond.