SSI recipients should provide child info for payment

Supplemental Security Income recipients who aren't required to file federal income tax returns will start receiving their automatic Economic Impact Payments directly from the U.S. Treasury Department in early May, but SSI recipients with dependents will need to take action to ensure they receive the payment of $500 per child.

Individuals receiving SSI benefits who did not file 2018 or 2019 taxes, and have qualifying dependent children younger than 17, should not wait for their automatic $1,200 individual payment, Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul said. Instead, they should immediately go to the IRS webpage at irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here and visit the "Non-Filers: Enter Your Information" section to provide their information.

SSI recipients who have dependent children and did not file 2018 or 2019 taxes need to act by May 5 in order to receive additional payments for their eligible children quickly.

"If people in this group do not provide their information to the IRS soon, their payment at this time will be $1,200 only," Saul stated in a news release. "They would then be required to file a tax year 2020 tax return to obtain the additional $500 per eligible child."

He added: "Lastly, a word of caution. Be aware of scams related to the Economic Impact Payments. There is no fee required to receive these payments. Don't be fooled."