How to see if i qualify for a stimulus check

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Summary

• The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) will automatically send eligible recipients a stimulus payment. The amount is based on the recipient’s total income.
• Estimate your stimulus payment amount with our calculator. 
• The IRS will calculate and deposit the payment into the recipient’s bank account, based on the banking information on their tax return. Qualified individuals who have not provided banking information will likely receive a paper check.

The federal government recently passed a third stimulus package to help businesses, families, and individuals stay financially afloat during this pandemic. Part of this relief bill includes that the IRS distributes stimulus payments to qualified individuals. 

How to know if you qualify

Those who are eligible will automatically receive a stimulus payment from the IRS:

• Tax filers with adjusted gross income up to $75,000 for individuals and up to $60,000 for married couples filing joint returns will receive the full payment. 
• If you’re single, you could receive up to $1400. 
• Married couples could receive up to $2800 and up to $1400 for every qualifying dependent. 
• Single filers with income exceeding $80,000  ($160,000 for joint filers) will likely not receive a check.
• You could see your payment in a matter of days.

If you need more information (such as how your Social Security or Disability benefits affect your package, how your package is handled if you do not file taxes, or what happens if you have yet to file your taxes this year), please visit the IRS website.

Estimate your payment

Receiving your stimulus payment from the IRS

Most people do not need to take any action. The IRS will calculate and automatically send the stimulus payments to those who are eligible.

• If the IRS has your banking information on file from your last tax refund, your payment will be deposited directly into that account. 
• Eligible recipients who do not have a bank account on file with the IRS will likely receive a paper check. 
• The IRS has stated that those with Direct Express will receive payment on their debit card.
• Most Social Security retirement and disability beneficiaries, railroad retirees and those receiving veterans’ benefits do not need take any action to receive a payment, and you can expect to receive the benefits in the same way you are normally paid.
• For eligible people in this group who didn’t receive a payment for any reason, they can file a 2020 tax return.

For more information about the stimulus checks, the IRS will post key information on IRS.gov/eip.

Maximizing your stimulus payment

If you’re expecting to receive a paper check, avoid paying fees* on your money by depositing it for free into a Sesame Cash account. Sesame Cash is a no-fee bank account that helps you keep more of your money for things that matter most.

While the fastest way to receive stimulus payments is through direct deposit, if you haven’t already updated this information with the IRS, it may be too late for this stimulus around. You can update this information when you file your taxes to have future stimulus payments and government benefits automatically deposited into your Sesame Cash account up to two days early! (Some customers even received their last stimulus checks as many as five days earlier than other banks!) No more waiting for a check!

For recommendations on how to spend your stimulus payment to help maximize the funds, read our guide.

We’re here to help.

Do you have questions about your payment that you haven’t been able to find the answer to? Credit Sesame wants to hear from you. 

We also want to help you find answers to any other questions you may have about managing your finances during this challenging time. Please join us over at SesameThrive, our new Credit Sesame Community aimed at helping people navigate their financial options and get on the path to financial wellness.

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* International and out-of-network cash withdrawal fees apply. Third-party and cash deposit fees may apply.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and should not be relied on as financial advice. The payment estimate is calculated pursuant to the second stimulus package, however, actual payment amounts may vary.

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Published March 11, 2021

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