What is the third stimulus check timeline? Who qualifies for the stimulus package passed in March 2021? Would Social Security, SSI, and SSDI get the third stimulus check for $1,400 from the Biden Administration? When will the checks arrive and will you get a third stimulus check if I didn’t file taxes?
Third Stimulus Check Eligibility and Income Limit
The House of Representatives passed their latest COVID-19 relief package on February 27th, 2021.
The bill included a third stimulus check for $1,400 and a proposal to increase the federal minimum wage to $15.
In the House bill, here’s who is eligible for a stimulus check:
Third Stimulus Check Eligibility According to the bill passed by the House of Representatives
The numbers below are based on Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).
| Full $1,400 per person maximum (based on AGI) | Not eligible (based on AGI) | |
| Single taxpayer | Less than $75,000 | $100,000 or more |
| Head of household | Less than $112,500 | $150,000 or more |
| Married couples filing jointly | Less than $150,000 | $200,000 or more |
The payments are based on either 2019 or 2020 income.
That means taxpayers may want to file their taxes before the bill passes if they think they will get a larger stimulus payment.
The Senate has Made Changes to the House Plan
The Senate passed its version of the Democrats’ coronavirus relief package after the House passed its package on February 27th.
Senate Democrats have made several changes to the legislation.
First, they have narrowed eligibility for the stimulus checks
Second, they have rejected an increase in the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour (for now).
The Senate bill amends the House bill on the $1,400-per-person stimulus payments to tighten eligibility.
Individuals earning less than $75,000 a year and married couples earning less than $150,000 will receive $1,400 per person, including children.
This means that about 90% of households will get a check.
However, the checks will phase out faster than previous rounds of the stimulus.
For example, the Senate version completely cuts off individuals who earn more than $80,000 a year and married couples earning more than $160,000.
This change applies, regardless of how many children you have.
The Senate bill is more likely to become law.
That’s because Democrats want to pass the stimulus bill before the March 14th expiration of extended Unemployment benefits.
Here’s a summary of the Senate’s third stimulus eligibility and cutoffs.
Third Stimulus Check Eligibility According to Senate Plan
The numbers below are based on Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). The payments are based on either 2019 or 2020 income.
| Full $1,400 per person maximum (based on AGI) | Not eligible (based on AGI) | |
| Single taxpayer | Less than $75,000 | $80,000 or more |
| Head of household | Less than $112,500 | $120,000 or more |
| Married couples filing jointly | Less than $150,000 | $160,000 or more |
Who is NOT eligible?
If you fall under the income categories below, then you are not eligible for a stimulus check.
- Individuals who earned more than $80,000
- Married couples who earned more than $160,000, and
- Heads of household who earned more than $120,000
Timeline for Third Round of Stimulus Checks
Here’s the possible timeline for when stimulus payments checks might be sent.
1 – House passed the American Rescue Plan on February 27.
2 – The Senate passed their version of the stimulus bill on March 6.
3 – The House of Representatives will vote on the Senate version of the stimulus bill (by March 9th).
4 – The Bill is signed into law by President Biden
5 – Stimulus checks of $1,400 sent via Direct Deposit by IRS.
6 – Stimulus checks of $1,400 sent via paper checks by IRS.
7 – Checks of $1,400 sent via Economic Impact Payment (EIP) Prepaid Cards by the IRS
8 – The IRS opens up the process for people who did not receive their Third Stimulus Check.
Based on the steps above, here are the possible timelines with dates, based on the current state of negotiations in Congress:
| Process Remaining for Stimulus Bill | Actual and Future Possible Dates |
| House of Representatives Passes Stimulus Bill | February 27, 2021 |
| Senate Passes Stimulus Bill | March 6, 2021 |
| House of Representatives Votes on Senate Bill | 3/9/21 – 3/11/2021 |
| Stimulus bill signed into law by President Biden | Sunday, March 14 |
| First direct deposit check sent by IRS | Week of March 22 |
| First paper checks sent by IRS | Week of March 29 |
| First EIP Prepaid Debit Card sent by IRS | Week of April 5 |
| Claims for missing stimulus checks open by IRS | May 3 |
Third Stimulus check FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the third round of stimulus checks for $1,400 recently passed by Congress.
Will people on SSDI or SSI Benefits get the third stimulus for $1,400?
Yes, similar to people on Social Security benefit, people who receive SSI and SSDI will once again automatically qualify.
In the first and second rounds of stimulus, SSI and SSDI recipients were automatically eligible for payments.
This is still true even if you did not file a tax return or have not filed a tax return in recent years due to limited income.
Will I get the $1,400 Stimulus Check on Direct Express Debit Card?
If you are on Social Security, SSI, SSDI, or other government benefit program and receive your payment via the Direct Express card, here is what you need to know:
You will get your stimulus check the same way they get monthly government benefits checks.
That means you will get your $1,400 stimulus check either by direct deposit, Direct Express debit card, or check, depending on how you currently get your benefits.
What can I do if I don’t receive a Stimulus Check?
If you are missing any stimulus check (round one, two, or three), here’s what you can do.
First, it is important to know that stimulus checks are sent by direct deposit, paper check, or EIP prepaid debit card.
If you do not receive your payment via any of the above methods, then here’s what you can do:
First, the IRS has set up a website for you to claim any missing payment.
Also, you can claim any missing stimulus money owed to you or your dependents during tax season this year (2021) and next year, 2022.
How Will I Get My Check If I Haven’t Filed a 2019 or 2020 Tax Return?
If you receive Social Security, SSI, or SSDI and did not file a tax return in 2019, you will not have to file a return in order to receive your $1,400 stimulus.
The IRS has your information already.
However, if you don’t receive your stimulus and did not file a tax return for 2019, you may need to file one to confirm your eligibility with the IRS.
Click here to check your status in the Get My Payment portal.
Third Stimulus check Summary
Here’s the bottom line:
The IRS will start sending the third stimulus check for $1,400 as soon as the bill is signed into law.
We estimate that checks will start going out beginning the week of March 22nd.
If you received a Direct Deposit of your first and second stimulus check, then you should be getting your $1,400 soon.
In addition, Direct Express cardholders should be receiving their $1,400 stimulus payments the same way they got their last stimulus check.
The IRS plans to use 2019 or 2020 tax returns to determine how much each individual and household will get.
However, if you did not file taxes or do not make enough money to file taxes, you will still get the stimulus check if you qualify.
Questions?
We hope this post on the third stimulus check was helpful.
If you have further questions about Stimulus Checks, Social Security, or Disability benefits, please let us know in the comments section below.
Be sure to check out our other articles on:
Third Stimulus Check FAQs
Stimulus Debit Card FAQs – Updated
What is the Third Stimulus Check Release Date?
Second Stimulus check for $600: Update
Direct Express Stimulus Check Deposit Date
How to Login my Social Security Account
Direct Express Dispute Resolution Help
2022 Social Security Payment Dates