Social Security benefits provide financial aid to individuals during their retirement or when faced with the inability to work due to disability. As of January 2024, seniors receiving Social Security retirement benefits were receiving an average monthly payment of approximately $1,900. However, amidst this, there is a growing curiosity among some readers who rely on these benefits, as they question the possibility of receiving additional stimulus checks.
The query arises from claims circulating in a viral YouTube video and certain online article headlines, asserting that Social Security recipients are slated to receive stimulus checks from the federal government in 2024. This prompts an investigation into the validity of such statements. At least five individuals have sought clarification from the VERIFY team, seeking confirmation or debunking of the circulating information.
Are Social Security Beneficiaries Receiving Stimulus Checks?
In 2024, Social Security recipients are not slated to receive federal stimulus checks. This information has been confirmed by official sources, including spokespersons for both the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the U.S. Treasury Department, as well as the AARP. The rationale behind Social Security recipients not receiving stimulus checks in 2024 remains undisclosed.
This clarification aims to address concerns and provide accurate information to individuals relying on Social Security benefits, ensuring they are informed about the current status of federal stimulus disbursements.
Are Social Security Beneficiaries Getting a 4th Stimulus Check?
According to the AARP, despite variations in details, numerous website headlines, videos, and social media posts convey a consistent message: Older Americans can anticipate a “fourth stimulus check,” except they will not get that kinda cash.
The promised amounts range from $1,400 to $4,200, with anticipated disbursement dates shifting from November 2023 to January 2024 and now to February 2024. Eligibility criteria include receiving Social Security benefits, residing in specific states, or having income below a specified level.
Regardless of the specifics, the common narrative suggests that these “stimulus checks for seniors” are purportedly en route, adding an air of anticipation and speculation to the discourse.
“We’ve paid out all the Economic Impact Payments,” IRS spokesman Anthony Burke says, using the official term for the three rounds of federal stimulus payments sent to more than 160 million U.S. taxpayers as part of the COVID-19 relief measures Congress passed in 2020 and 2021. “People should go to IRS.gov as the definitive source of information.”
Individuals who may have missed out on a stimulus payment or feel that they received an amount less than they were entitled to can still pursue claiming the funds by applying for the Recovery Rebate Credit through the IRS. It’s important to note, however, that there is no anticipation of a “fourth stimulus” being issued.