IRS Sends Out Final $1,400 Stimulus Checks Batch

Stimulus payments for Veterans Affairs benefit recipients will be received on Wednesday, April 14, marking the final batch of $1,400 third stimulus payments.

The latest payment round applies to "veterans and their beneficiaries who receive Compensation and Pension (C&P) benefit payments who don't normally file a tax return," and the majority of these payments will be issued electronically, the Internal Revenue Service said.

The IRS was expected to begin processing VA payment files at the end of last week "if no additional issues arise," the federal body advised on April 7.

The IRS has not announced when paper checks will be mailed to VA benefit recipients. Newsweek has contacted the IRS for an update on when paper checks will be issued.

Those expecting stimulus funds can check the status of their payment using the Get My Payment tool at the IRS website.

What time will the payment be in my account?

As with previous payment rounds, banks and credit unions are required to make funds available to account holders by 9 a.m. local time on the settlement date, which for this latest payment batch is April 14, a spokesperson for Nacha (National Automated Clearing House Association) told Newsweek on Tuesday.

Most federal benefit recipients will "generally receive this third payment the same way as their regular benefits," the IRS said on March 30. Federal aid funds are usually distributed via Direct Express card accounts.

Only current Direct Express account holders can receive their third stimulus payment on their cards. Those who currently don't have a card cannot sign up for one now in order to receive their stimulus funds, Direct Express said on April 6.

What if I don't receive payment?

VA benefit recipients who don't receive their stimulus payment on Wednesday may be sent a paper check instead.

"The third round of Economic Impact Payments will be delivered to the account where your federal benefits are issued," the IRS said on March 30.

For those who filed a 2020 or 2019 tax return, payments will be sent as a direct deposit to the bank account provided on their tax return or be mailed to the address the IRS has on file if their tax refund was mailed or there was no refund on their tax return, the federal body noted.

Payment sent to the wrong account?

Payments will be reissued as a paper check sent to the address the IRS has on file "if your account is closed or a direct deposit was returned from your bank for any other reason," the federal body said on March 26.

"This is generally the address on your most recent tax return or as updated through the United States Postal Service (USPS)," the IRS noted.

Direct Express said on April 6 that stimulus funds sent to an account that is closed or no longer active "will be returned and the IRS will reissue the payment."

The IRS explained: "When there is no banking information available, before issuing a U.S Treasury check or EIP Card, Treasury's Bureau of Fiscal Service has provided IRS account information from agencies issuing benefit payments."

"The banking information can be either where a U.S. Government payment was sent or an account where an individual paid the U.S. Government," the federal body said.

Additional payments

Some federal benefit recipients who don't normally file taxes may be owed additional stimulus payments for any qualified dependent. "Eligible individuals in this group should file a 2020 tax return to be considered for an additional payment for their qualified dependent as quickly as possible," the IRS advised on April 7.

"The third round of Economic Impact Payments are being sent in phases. If you haven't received one yet, it doesn't mean you won't. Each week we're sending the third payments to eligible individuals as we continue to process tax returns," the federal body says.

Others who don't normally file a tax return and don't receive federal benefits may still qualify for stimulus payments. "This includes those experiencing homelessness, the rural poor, and others. Individuals who didn't get a first or second round Economic Impact Payment or got less than the full amounts may be eligible for the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit, but they'll need to file a 2020 tax return," the IRS said.

See the IRS website for information on how to claim Recovery Rebate Credit if you don't normally file taxes.