With the coronavirus (COVID-19) going on, you might be wondering whether you are still eligible to receive a stimulus check if you are receiving Social Security Disability Benefits (SSDI). This is a reasonable concern, considering the current unstable economic situation surrounding COVID-19. Many businesses have had to shut down, leading to the loss of hundreds of jobs. Talk to a Tennessee bankruptcy attorney if you have concerns about your financial situation.
ELIGIBILITY FOR SSDI BENEFITS
As you know, SSDI benefit eligibility can change depending on your circumstances and on the condition of your disability. Knowing what changes could affect your SSDI benefits is important for preserving your financial situation. As a start, it can help to refresh on what requirements you need to receive SSDI benefits:
- You must be diagnosed with a disability that is listed in the Social Security Administration (SSA) Blue Book
- Your disability must be expected to last at least a year or lead to death
- The SSA definition of a disability is a mental or physical condition that significantly impairs your ability to work
- The disability prevents you from working
Some people may lose their SSDI benefits and think the stimulus check is to blame. However, if any of these factors have changed since you started receiving disability benefits, then this may account for instances where the SSA decreased your benefits or ceased approving your benefits entirely. Be sure to check with the SSA about this by calling them to inquire why your SSDI benefits have changed.
DO PEOPLE ON SSDI RECEIVE STIMULUS CHECKS?
According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), people who have been receiving disability benefits like SSDI or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) before January first of 2020 can still receive stimulus checks. Those who filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return will receive a stimulus check amount based on that. Recipients who did not file a tax return will still be eligible for a stimulus check.
You should receive the stimulus check the same way you receive your SSDI benefits. If you do not have children, your payment should come out to $1200 that may be sent through direct deposit or paper check, depending on your preferences for how you receive SSDI benefits. You should receive an additional $500 for each qualifying child you have.
A qualifying child is a relative who was under the age of 17 by the end of 2019 and has live with you for longer than half a year. Your child must have also been claimed as a dependent on your return.
BANKRUPTCY LAWYERS IN CHATTANOOGA, TN
In the event that you have not received your stimulus check or find yourself stuck in a downhill financial situation, feel free to reach out to one of our lawyers for legal assistance. Our experienced legal team has helped clients from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and North Georgia with various financial matters surrounding instances of bankruptcy.
Call a Bankruptcy attorney in Tennessee at (423) 690-7712 today or feel free to leave a note on our contact page. Our bankruptcy lawyers are located in Chattanooga and Tullahoma.