If you received a stimulus payment from one of the two prior bills (passed March 2020 and December 2020) you may need to take additional steps to receive the most recent payment. The IRS will determine eligibility based on the most recent tax return they have processed, either 2020 or 2019.  If your eligibility for the first two payments was based on your 2018 return, you may need to file a more recent tax return to receive the newest stimulus check.  

https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment-frequently-asked-questions

If you filed a tax return in 2019 or 2020 you probably do not need to take any other steps to receive your stimulus.  If the IRS has your banking information, they will send the payment to your account, just like they would for a tax refund.  If not, you will receive either a paper check or a pre-paid debit card to the address they have on file.  To track your refund use this link: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment

If you didn’t file taxes but do get Social Security Retirement payments, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Benefits, Social Security Survivor Benefits, or Railroad Retirement or Survivor Benefits, you don’t have to do anything to get a payment.

If you receive SSI, your stimulus payment will be provided in the same way as you receive your monthly SSI Benefit (e.g. bank account direct deposit, Direct Express debit card or paper check). For more information about the process, go to this Department of Treasury link. The payments will likely be sent no later than early May.  The stimulus money won’t count as a resource (asset) unless you still have all or part of it 12 months after receiving it.

If you receive VA benefits, your stimulus payment will be provided in the same way as you receive your monthly VA Benefit

If the IRS has processed your 2020 return (with your new child listed as a dependent) before they process your stimulus payment, you should receive the stimulus amount for your child in your payment.  If you had a child in 2020 but your 2020 return has not yet been processed or you had a child in 2021, your child will not be counted in the stimulus payment.  Unfortunately the IRS does not have a system in place to update your family size at the moment.  However, this doesn’t mean you won’t be able to get a stimulus payment for your child.  When you file your 2021 taxes, there will be a line where you list the amount of EIP (stimulus) payment you have received.  You will then be able to receive the $1400 credit for your new child as part of your tax refund. 

If you were not required to file taxes and did not file taxes, and you do not receive Social Security Retirement payments, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Benefits, Social Security Survivor Benefits, SSI Benefits, or Railroad Retirement or Survivor Benefits, you need to go to the IRS website at this link , and go to the “Non-Filers Enter Payment Info Here” button. You will need to provide information in order to receive a stimulus payment. If you did this already for the first stimulus payment, you do not need to do it again.    

If you were required to file taxes for 2019 but did not do so, you need to file your 2019 tax return with the IRS in order to receive the stimulus payment. The deadline to file your 2019 tax return with the IRS and the State of Nebraska was July 15, 2020.

If you are not sure whether you have to file a tax return, check the IRS.gov tool – Do I Need to File a Tax Return? – to see if  you have a filing requirement. 

No. Your stimulus payment cannot be taken to pay child support you owe.

Yes. Your stimulus check can be garnished from your bank account if you have a court judgment against you for debt. There is a court process to request the return of your stimulus funds. If you have any issues, you can apply for help from Legal Aid by calling 1-844-268-5627.

Yes. If you owe money to your bank, for example for overdraft fees, your stimulus check can be taken (offset) by your bank to pay what you owe. Many banks have determined they will not take stimulus payments for debt you owe to your bank. You can apply for help from Legal Aid by calling 1-844-268-5627. Call Legal Aid as soon as you know your bank account has been garnished or is frozen.

You can apply for help from Legal Aid by calling 1-844-268-5627. Call Legal Aid as soon as you know your bank account has been garnished or is frozen. You must act fast to stop a garnishment. Under Nebraska law, you must request a hearing and file a claim of exemptions to protect the funds. There are only 3 days to request a hearing.