Here is what we know so far about the federal stimulus package (also known as CARES Act):

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• Update: if you missed the deadline to sign up for the $500.00 child credit, you must file taxes to get it next year.   If get SSI or VA benefits, you did not file taxes in 2018 or 2019, and you have children 16 years old or younger, make sure you file your 2020 taxes.  For help with, contact VITA services starting January 1st, 2021.  You may also contact Society's Assets for more information.

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• If you get SSDI, Retirement, or Survivor benefits, your stimulus payment should be arriving the week of April 27. If you have dependent children and you did not enter them on the non-filers tool linked above, you may not enter them now. You'll have to wait until your 2020 taxes are filed to get the child credit. 

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• Update: You can check the status of your stimulus payment here: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment. You'll be able to see if the IRS needs more information from you, or when you can expect your payment. 

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• The CARES Act includes a one-time stimulus payment for individuals. This is an extra check from the federal government. 

 

• The full amount of the check will be $1,200 per adult, and $500 per child under age 17.

  • If you are claimed as a dependent on someone else's taxes, you do not get the stimulus check. ​

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• In most cases, the stimulus payment is automatic. This means you may not have to do anything to get your payment.  

 

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• If you filed taxes for 2018 or 2019, the Treasury will use that information to send you the stimulus check.​ You do not need to do anything. If you want to give the IRS your bank information to direct-deposit your stimulus, click here.

  

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• If you get Social Security benefits (SSDI, retirement, survivor, etc) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the Treasury will send your stimulus the same way they send your benefit checks. You do not need to do anything.
   

  • If you have qualifying children, you will need to fill out a form on the IRS website here: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here. Even though it says not to use that form if you get Social Security benefits, this is the only way to get your child stimulus check. The IRS has asked that you use that form.

  • If your benefits started after January 1, 2020, and you did not file taxes in 2018 or 2019, you will need to fill out a form on the IRS website here: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here.​

 

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• If you do not file taxes and you do not get a Social Security benefit, you will need to fill out a form on the IRS website here: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here

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• ​If you filed taxes in 2018 or 2019, you do not get Social Security benefits, and you did not give the IRS your bank information, visit the IRS website here: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment to add your bank information so your stimulus check can be directly deposited. If you gave your bank information when you filed taxes, you do not need to do anything. ​

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• The stimulus payment will not count as income for your other benefits or for taxes.

  • This includes SSI, Medicaid, FoodShare, Housing, and some other benefits.

  • The stimulus payment also does not count as an asset for 12 months. That means you have 12 months to spend it before it counts against your benefits, like SSI or Medicaid, that have an asset limit.

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• There is an income limit for the stimulus. If your adjusted gross income for 2019 was over $75,000 for an individual, or $150,000 for a married couple, your stimulus will be reduced or go away completely. 

  • If your income was too high in 2018 and 2019, but is lower now, you can claim the stimulus as a tax credit on your 2020 taxes. 

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​If you have questions about the stimulus or anything about your benefits, contact a Benefits Specialist for your county at Society's Assets, (800) 378-9128. 

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Unemployment Information

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• If you worked in the last 18 months and now you're out of work through no fault of your own, you can apply for unemployment. 

  • You can apply here:​ https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/uiben/apply/

  • In Wisconsin, you cannot get SSDI and Unemployment at the same time. If you get SSDI, you cannot get unemployment.  This includes the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUC) program.

  • If you get SSI only and you may be eligible for unemployment, you have to apply for it. This is an SSI rule. 

  • Unemployment counts as income for SSI, Medicaid, FoodShare, and many other benefits programs. 

  • You do not have to do a work search at this time. 

  • You may have to register with Job Center of Wisconsin or complete a  Re-Employment Services program workshop. You will get instructions on what to do by email or mail. 

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• If you get unemployment, you may be paid an additional $600.00 per week for up to four months. This should start the week of April 26th.

  • This extra payment does not count as income for SSI, Medicaid, FoodShare, or many other benefits programs. 

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• Unemployment will last 39 weeks instead of the normal 26 in Wisconsin.

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• If you are not able to get standard unemployment benefits, but you lost your income because of COVID-19, you may be able to get Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). ​

  • This includes gig economy workers (Uber drivers, Lyft drivers, GrubHub delivery persons, etc.) and persons who are self-employed. 

  • You can apply for PUA here: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/uiben/pua/apply/

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• People who have not been laid-off but are affected by COVID-19 may be able to get unemployment.

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• Unemployment doesn't require the 7 day waiting period for people who are unemployed.​​

 

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