Stimulus check. A friend who does not file taxes never thought about the stimulus check. Will still get it?

Question

Is it too late? What exactly does she need to do?

She doesn't work and receives SSI plus food stamps.

Thanks for answers!

Answer 1

Stimulus Payments — It's Not Too Late  

  

Updated July 18, 2008

En Español: Pagos de Estímulo Económico

If you haven't yet filed a tax return to get your stimulus payment, you still have time to do so. But you must file by Oct. 15 to get your payment this year. And if you've already filed to get your payment but have a question or issue, it might be addressed here.

If You Haven't Yet Filed a Tax Return

If you haven’t filed a federal tax return to claim your economic stimulus payment, you have until Oct. 15 to file to get your payment this year. Find out more if you:

Receive Social Security retirement or disability benefits

Receive Veterans Affairs pension, disability or survivor's benefits

Receive Tier 1 Railroad Retirement benefits  

Are a low-wage worker, or  

Filed for an extension of time to file your return.

Economic Stimulus Payments: Information for Recipients of Social Security Benefits

  

Updated July 18, 2008

This section is for people who receive Social Security retirement or disability benefits but who do not normally file an income tax return. The IRS and Treasury are working closely with the Social Security Administration to ensure that all eligible individuals know what to do to receive a stimulus payment.

Normally, certain Social Security payments are not subject to income tax. However, the economic stimulus law passed in February contains a special provision allowing Social Security recipients to count those benefits toward the qualifying income requirement of $3,000 and thereby qualify for the stimulus payment.

For eligible Social Security recipients who do not normally file a tax return, the IRS has prepared an 8-page informational package that provides instructions, a sample Form 1040A and a blank Form 1040A — everything needed to file the tax form. See eligibility requirements below.

Package 1040A-3, 8-page informational package

Answer 2

If I remember correctly, one of the requirements to get a stimulus check was that you had to have filed a tax return for the previous year.  If the person doesn't work, it would be rather apparent that she didn't file a return.

Answer 3

She has to be receiving SSDI not SSI in order to get the stimulus check. If she is not sure which kind she is getting the easiest way to tell is SSI is always received on the first and SSDI is on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Wednesday. IF she is receiving SSDI she has until 10/15/2008 to file a tax return in order to receive the check.  

Answer 4

If SSI and food stamps are her only source of income, she does not qualify for the rebate.

Answer 5

SSI isn't qualifying income, so if that and food stamps are her only income, then no she isn't eligible.

If she had at least $3000 income in 2007 from social security (not SSI) then she'd file a form 1040A by October 15, 2008 and would most likely get $300.

Answer 6

If by SSI you mean Supplemental Security Income, then Wayne is correct.  She doesn't qualify for the rebate.

If by SSI, you actually mean Social Security benefits (sometimes people use the wrong acronym), then she can still receive it for this year if she files by October 15th.  Here's a link to options on how to file:

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,i...

Hope this helps!