During periods when the federal government has issued economic impact payments — commonly known as stimulus checks — Social Security Disability recipients have often had questions about whether they qualify, how payments are issued, and whether receiving a payment affects their benefits. SSDI recipients are generally eligible for economic impact payments when they are authorized by Congress, provided they meet the income thresholds specified in the legislation.
Because the SSA has recipients’ direct deposit information on file, SSDI recipients have typically received payments automatically — without needing to file a separate claim. SSI recipients are also typically eligible for economic impact payments. The SSA has similarly processed these payments using existing payment information, though the timing and mechanics have varied by program.
An important consideration for SSI recipients is whether receiving an economic impact payment affects their benefits. Under the rules applied during recent stimulus programs, these payments were not counted as income for SSI purposes in the month received, and were excluded from resource limits for a specified period. This meant that receiving a payment did not automatically reduce or terminate SSI benefits — but it was important for recipients to spend or set aside the funds within the exclusion window to avoid having the payment counted as a resource in subsequent months.
Rules surrounding economic stimulus programs are set by Congress and can vary with each program. If a new round of payments is authorized in the future, we will provide updated information to help Michigan clients understand how it applies to their specific benefits.
Our team at Grech Law Firm Attorney & Counselor is available to answer questions about how changes in federal policy affect disability benefits. Contact us anytime.
