Social Security Recipients Will Get Stimulus Checks

HOUSTON — Millions of Americans are waiting for their check from the federal government after the Senate approved the $2 trillion relief package due to COVID-19.

The Treasury Department told senators that they expect to distribute the checks in the next two to three weeks, according to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

The checks are based on your income.

Individuals

• $75,000 or less: $1,200
• $75,001 – $98,999: decreases from $1,200 by 5 percent based on income
• $99,000 or more: no check

Families

• $150,000 or less: $2,400
• $150,001 – $197,999: decreases from $2,400 by 5 percent based on income
• $198,000 or more: no check

A spokesperson from Texas Sen. John Cornyn’s office said the checks would not be counted as income or taxed.

She said retirees and those who receive Social Security benefits are eligible.

Many parents have questions about if their college student is eligible to receive money, or if they can receive money due to their child.

The spokesperson said that a “qualifying child” is defined by the IRS, generally, as someone under age 17.

If an individual is claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return, that individual is not eligible for a rebate check. For example, if a college student’s parent claims him or her as a dependent, the student will not receive a check.

A parent needs to meet the income qualifications to collect a rebate check, and if they do, their child needs to meet the definition of “qualifying child” above for them to collect the additional $500.

Generally, if the college student is 17 or over, the parent will not likely collect $500 for them.

A college student can claim the stimulus check, so long as they meet the above income requirements, are not claimed as dependents, and file a tax return with the IRS, even if they had no taxable income.

According to the IRS, those who have not filed a tax return for 2018 should do so immediately, or risk not getting a check.