06 May Simple New IRS Website is Designed to Ensure You Get Your Stimulus Money

Simple New IRS Website is Designed to Ensure You Get Your Stimulus Money

There has been a lot of confusion about how seniors, retirees, people with disabilities, and veterans will receive the coronavirus stimulus checks they deserve.

Seniors 62 and older who receive Social Security retirement benefits, including those affected by the windfall elimination provision (WEP) and government pension offset (GPO), individuals who receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, and railroad retirees will automatically receive a stimulus payment.

Payments will come automatically to your bank if you receive benefits via direct deposit, or to your address. People who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or veterans benefits who do not file a tax return will NOT automatically get a stimulus payment as of now.

Check IRS.gov and go to ‘Get my payment’ if you have not already received a letter stating it has been sent. There is also information for U.S. citizens who receive SSI benefits or veterans pension and disability benefits and resident aliens who have a valid Social Security number, can’t be claimed as a dependent of another taxpayer, and who have adjusted gross income below certain limits. Beneficiaries can enter their bank account information or tell the IRS where to mail their check.

Coronavirus Scams On the Rise

1. Scam artists continue targeting seniors, taking advantage of fear and confusion created by the coronavirus emergency. One scam involves people trying to steal stimulus checks. They are making phone calls and sending text messages and deceptive ‘phishing’ emails to try to obtain personal information from unsuspecting victims.
2. Beware of any message or caller that wants your personal financial information, such as your bank account or Social Security number. Recent scams include callers claiming to be SSA representatives warning of ‘benefit suspensions’.

The stimulus payments will be sent by the IRS which will never call, text, or email you to verify your banking information.

3. Another scam involves callers offering a ‘COVID-19 package’, test or information about Medicare benefits related to the pandemic. The Federal Trade Commission says that if you get a call claiming to be from Medicare asking for your information — HANG UP!

Like the IRS, the SSA and Medicare will never call you to ask for your personal information.