Third Round of Stimulus Payments: What SSDI, SSI, and VA Beneficiaries Need to Know

If you’re receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, you may be wondering about the status of any new stimulus checks. While no new payments have been approved for 2025, here’s what you need to know about past payments and how to claim any money you may have missed.

Let’s dive into the details of the third round of stimulus checks and what you can still do to get your funds.

What Was the Third Round of Stimulus Payments?

Under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the government issued the third round of Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) worth $1,400 per person. These payments were meant to provide relief during the pandemic, and most SSDI, SSI, and VA beneficiaries were automatically eligible.

If you were receiving these benefits back in 2021, you should have already received your $1,400 payment. But if you didn’t, don’t worry—you may still be able to claim it!

Who Was Eligible for the $1,400 Stimulus Check?

You likely qualified for the third stimulus check if you were:

• Receiving SSDI, SSI, or VA benefits as of 2021
•  A U.S. citizen or legal resident with a Social Security number
• Not claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return

The great thing is that you didn’t need to file a tax return to receive the payment. The IRS automatically processed payments for most federal beneficiaries using information from the Social Security Administration or Veterans Affairs.

What If You Didn’t Get the Payment?

Many eligible beneficiaries missed their payments due to errors, incorrect addresses, or delays in processing. If you never received your check, you could still get it by claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit. Here’s how:

1. File a 2021 Tax Return (even if you don’t normally file taxes).
2. Claim the Recovery Rebate Credit to request your $1,400.
3. Track your payment using the IRS online tools or by calling their support line.

The deadline to file and claim this credit is April 15, 2025. Don’t let the money slip away—it could make a big difference!

What If You Got Less Than $1,400?

If you received a partial payment but think you were entitled to more, you can also claim the difference using the Recovery Rebate Credit. Common reasons for underpayment include:

• Dependents not being included
• Incorrect income reporting
• Address or banking issues

An amended tax return might be needed if you already filed but didn’t include all necessary information.

Why Are People Talking About a “Third Wave” in 2025?

There’s been a lot of talk online about new stimulus checks in 2025, but as of now, no new stimulus payments have been approved by the federal government. Any future payments would require approval from Congress, so it’s important to rely on official announcements from trusted sources like the IRS or the Social Security Administration.