SSI Recipients with Children Can Get a Larger Stimulus Check (But Quick Action is Required)
An extra $500 per child will be added to stimulus checks for disabled, blind, or elderly Supplemental Security Income recipients who didn't file a 2018 or 2019 tax return…if they beat an upcoming deadline.
If you're a disabled, blind, or elderly person who receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, you'll automatically get a $1,200 electronic stimulus payment if you didn't file a 2018 or 2019 tax return. (If you did file a return for one of the last two years, the amount of your payment will be based on information contained on your most recent return). However, non-filers who receive SSI benefits, and have (or take care of) children 16 years old or younger, can get an extra $500-per-child added to their stimulus check—if they act before May 5.
To get the additional stimulus payment, use the IRS's "Non-Filers: Enter Your Payment Info Here" tool to send the IRS information about your dependent children. (Go to irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here to access the tool.) But you need to do this by May 5 in order to get the extra $500-per-child added to your stimulus check.
If the IRS doesn't have the dependent information in time, your stimulus payment will be for the standard $1,200 amount. However, you will be able to claim the additional $500-per-child amount when you file your 2020 tax return next year.
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Non-filers who receive SSI benefits should receive their automatic payments by mid-May, according to the IRS.
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.
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