Dear Constituent,

If you have not yet received a coronavirus stimulus payment from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), below is a guide to navigating the IRS online tool, along with some answers to why some people have not yet received payments. And if you'd like to volunteer at one of the many community services that need extra help, you can find out how to do so at the end of this message.

First, under the federal CARES Act, individuals who earn up to $75,000 a year are eligible for payments of $1,200, and couples who file jointly and earn up to $150,000 a year are eligible for $2,400. An additional $500 is provided per child. For individuals who earn more than $75,000 and couples who earn more than $150,000, the amount of the stimulus gradually decreases. Note that non-U.S. citizens who do not have Social Security numbers are not eligible for stimulus payments, nor are most U.S. citizens who are married to immigrants without Social Security numbers and file joint tax returns.

The IRS's online tool, Get My Payment, was designed to allow users to input bank account information to set up direct deposit and to track payments. But the tool and the IRS's administration of the program have experienced problems.

Here is a guide to troubleshooting:

1. First, go on the IRS's Get My Payment page. Then click on "Get My Payment."
2. Fill out the online form, including entering your direct deposit information. For many people, this is all you need to do, and you will receive your stimulus payment soon. However, for others, you may get a message: "Payment Status Not Available."
3. There are several reasons for the "Payment Status Not Available" message. Here are some:

• You receive an SSA or RRB Form 1099 or Social Security or VA benefit
  If you fall in this category, it's likely you don't normally file a tax return, thus IRS hasn't loaded your data into its system yet. Check the Get Payment page in a few days to see if the IRS has updated the system.
   
• You filed a 2019 return, but the IRS hasn't finished processing it.
  Keep checking back with the tool once a day to see if your return has been processed. Once it has been, you'll be able to enter your direct deposit information.
   
• You used your bank account to make an electronic payment to the IRS but you have not previously received a refund direct deposit from the IRS.
  You will need to provide the IRS with your direct deposit info through the tool. If you are receiving the Payment Status Not Available message, it's likely that the IIRS has not processed your 2019 return yet.
   
• You use Turbo Tax, H&R Block, or other tax-preparation apps to file your taxes.
  According to the IRS, it doesn't have direct deposit information for many users of these apps, thus the Get My Payment tool may give you a "Payment Status Not Available" message. The IRS and Treasury departments are aware of this problem and are working on a fix.
   
• You may not have answered the security questions correctly.
  The Get My Payment tool asks security questions to verify your identity. If you made an error entering the information requested, the tool can temporarily lock you out. Try again a day later.
   
• The bank account you used previously for direct deposit is closed or changed
  If Get My Payment indicates your payment has been processed, the system won't let you change your bank account information. According to the IRS, your old bank will reject the deposit and then the IRS will mail your payment to the address it has on file for you.
   
• You're not eligible for a payment: See Eligibility

Note: The IRS updates the tool every day with new information, so there's no need to check back more often than once a day. It may take the IRS a while to fix the problems with the online tool and direct deposit payments. Those who do not receive their payment by direct deposit, will get their stimulus payment in the mail, but not likely until May or later.

Undocumented Immigrants: Although undocumented immigrants are not eligible for stimulus payments, Gov. Newsom announced a new $125 million relief program that will provide payments of $500 to undocumented individuals and $1,000 to families. 

Volunteering: Research indicates doing good for others can be a great stress reducer. This week, Gov. Newsom announced a new one-stop website to help find volunteer opportunities at food banks, blood banks, 211-information operators, and much more: CaliforniansforAll.ca.gov.

Finally, please see my Covid-19 Resource Page for more information on state, federal, and local resources during this crisis. I hope you find this information helpful. It's an honor serving you in the California Senate.
 

Sincerely,

Nancy Skinner
Senator, 9th District