Updated March 12, 2021
So who, exactly, is eligible, how much can they expect to receive and when will they receive a stimulus payment? We break it all down below including many difficult to find answers.
When Will Stimulus Checks Arrive in the Mail?
Americans will most likely began receiving American Rescue Plan payments on March 17. The IRS took about one week to send the second round of checks, worth $600, in January. Paper checks and prepaid Visa debit cards — which are expected to be part of the third stimulus program — would be sent in the regular mail and take a bit longer
Stimulus Checks: Who Gets Them?
Americans listed below will receive stimulus payments as long their Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) does not exceed the threshold. Below is who gets a rebate check assuming AGI is not a disqualifier.
Who is Eligible?
- VA Benefit Recipients (Disabled Veterans, Pension, & Survivor Benefits)
- Active Duty Military
- Social Security (SS) Recipients & Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Recipients
- Railroad Retirement Beneficiaries
- No 2018 or 2019 Tax Returns Filed: File for free with an IRS Tax File Partner. See non-filer instructions below.
- Zero Income Individuals
- Non-Filers:
- Had gross income that did not exceed $12,200 ($24,400 for married couples) for 2019
- Were not otherwise required to file a federal income tax return for 2019, and didn’t plan to
- Official IRS Non-Filers app
- Dependents over 17:
- College Students: Students not considered a dependent of their parents qualify e.g. a full-time college student under the age of 24 is considered a dependent if their parent(s) provide more than half of their support.
- Babies/Newborns born in 2020: Parents of 2021 babies will have to wait to file 2021 tax returns for the $1,400 credit.
- Americans Living Abroad
- U.S. territories (American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands)
- Unemployed/Layoff/Furlough (Temporary Layoff)
- Self-Employed
- Past Due Debt to a State or Federal Agency
Who is Not Eligible?
- Delinquent Child Support Payments: Past due child support payments that the states have reported to the Treasury Department will be offset.
- Dependents: You can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return. For example, this would include a child, student or older dependent who can be claimed on a parent’s return.
- No SSN: You do not have a valid Social Security number.
- Nonresident Aliens
- You filed Form 1040-NR or Form 1040NR-EZ, Form 1040-PR or Form 1040-SS for 2019.
Recovery Rebate Amounts
- A maximum $1,400 for individual tax filers;
- Up to $2,800 for couples who make up to $150,000;
- Those who earn above $80,000 are not eligible for the stimulus (see below);
- An additional $1,400 per each child
AGI Phase-Outs
- $75,000 in adjusted gross income for singles.
- $112,500 for heads of household.
- $150,000 for married couples (when couples file joint tax returns).
- Completely phase out at $80,000 for singles and $160,000 for couples (with no children).
Use the TurboTax Stimulus Check Calculator to see your payment amount.
Third Stimulus Check Calculator
How Many Stimulus Checks Will I Get?
You’ll get just one stimulus check payment.
How will I know when the stimulus money is coming?
The are several ways to monitor when your stimulus money will arrive:
- Check the IRS “Get My Payment” portal
- Monitor your back account via online or a mobile banking app
- Setup deposit alerts
- Follow the timing guidelines the IRS has announced for your specific situation (see above)
USAA, Navy Federal Credit Union, Wells Fargo and other banks will be unable to provide any additional information on timing.
Does Active Duty Military Receive a Stimulus Payment?
Active Duty military will receive a stimulus payment as long their Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) does not exceed the AGI thresholds. The includes all service branches: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force, Army Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Air National Guard, Army National Guard.
Do Military Spouses With No Social Security Number Receive Stimulus Payments?
Yes! If you’re a member of the military and file a married tax return. Your spouse isn’t required to have a SSN for you to get the stimulus payment.
Do Veterans Get Stimulus Checks?
Veterans will receive stimulus payments as long their Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) does not exceed the AGI thresholds.
Do Disabled Veterans Get Stimulus Checks?
Department of Veterans Affairs benefit recipients (Disabled Veterans, Pension, & Survivor Benefits) who rely soley on government benefits (e.g. VA disability payments) qualify for stimulus checks. No extra step is required for VA Benefits recipients.
Will Disabled Veterans Receive Payments by Direct Express?
VA Benefits recipients will receive Direct Express payments if that is how their payments are setup with the VA.
About Direct Express: It is the Treasury recommended debit card. When you sign up to receive your Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, VA or other federal benefits via the Direct Express card, your money will be automatically deposited to your Direct Express card account on your payment date.
Will Receiving the Economic Payment Affect My VA Benefits? Other Government Benefits?
No, it will not affect your benefits. Recovery Rebates will not be counted as income for the purposes of determining eligibility for means-tested public benefits programs such as VA Disability Pay, Survivors’ benefits, Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance (FSSA), Medicaid, Reach Up, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or food stamps).
Will My Bank Take My Stimulus Payment to Cover My Debt?
The policy varies by bank and you’ll have to check with your bank.
Do Parents of Adopted Children with No SSN Get a Child Tax Credit?
If an Adopted child under the age of 17 has an “adoption taxpayer identification number” (ATIN) they can be claimed for the purpose or receiving the $1,400 per child payment.
Do SSI Recipients Receive Payments Automatically?
Yes, SSI recipients will receive their payment automatically. The payments will be sent same way you typically receive your benefit payments e.g. via direct deposit, a Direct Express debit card or check in the mail.
I have a SSN and filed a qualifying tax return, but my dependent child does not have a SSN. Will my child receive the $1,400 payment?
No, children claimed as dependents for the $1,400 rebate must also have valid SSNs.
Is This Payment Taxable?
The Payment NOT taxable and will not affect your 2020 refund.
How can I get my money faster?
Provide your direct deposit information if you haven’t already via the IRS Portal Get My Payment. Paper checks will be sent out later and will be done in batches which will take months.
Can I get my stimulus money deposited into a PayPal account?
Yes! PayPal announced that customers with a PayPal Cash Mastercard can receive their stimulus payment directly into their PayPal account by following a few simple steps.
Will I get my stimulus money deposited into a TurboTax debit card?
Taxpayers who use TurboTax and set up an authorized direct deposit on their TurboCard when they filed will also receive their stimulus payment on the TurboCard, according to TurboTax.
Will I get my stimulus money on my H&R Block Emerald Card?
If you received your last tax refund on your Emerald Card it will be deposited on to the same Emerald Card, according to H&R Block.
Smart Ways to Spend Your Stimulus Money
Your #stimulusdeposit will arrive soon, here’s how to use the money wisely.
- Save for Retirement
- Pay Off Debt, Higher Interest Rates First
- Donate to a Veteran or Military Charity
- Start or Shore Up Your Emergency Fund
- Invest in a 529 College Savings Plan, Roth or Investment Account
- Support Local Businesses
- Use Military Discounts to prioritize items of need (not want)