(June 26, 2008) Washington, D.C. – Nearly 5.2 million Social Security and Veterans Administration beneficiaries may be eligible to receive economic stimulus payments, but have not yet filed a tax return that is needed to claim the rebate.  Congresswoman Roybal-Allard is urging these individuals, many of whom do not normally file a tax return, to do so by October 15, 2008 in order to receive a payment this year.

“We don’t want anyone to miss out,” Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard said. “The economic stimulus legislation passed by Congress is putting dollars into the pockets of hardworking Americans struggling to make ends meet, including many families throughout my district.  We must do everything we can to make sure all of our eligible low-income seniors and disabled veterans, many of whom do not normally need to file a return, meet the extended deadline of October 15 to claim their rebate checks this year.”

For people who have no tax liability or no tax filing requirement, there is a minimum rebate payment of $300 ($600 for married couples) plus $300 for each qualifying child.  To be eligible for the minimum payment, individuals must have at least $3,000 in qualifying income.  Qualifying income includes any combination of earned income, nontaxable combat pay and certain benefit payments from Social Security, Veterans Affairs and Railroad Retirement.

The types of Social Security benefits that are considered qualifying income include retirement, disability and survivor payments.  Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is not qualifying income.  The types of Veterans Affairs benefits that are considered qualifying income include disability compensation, disability pension and survivor payments.  Qualifying Railroad Retirement payments include the social security equivalent portion of Tier 1 benefits.

Individuals who are not otherwise required to file an income tax return should file Form 1040A with basic information to ensure they receive the economic stimulus payment.  This information includes name; address; dependents, if any; amount of qualifying income (which must be $3,000 or more); direct deposit information and signatures.

Eligible individuals, including their qualifying children, must have valid Social Security numbers.  Also, people cannot be claimed or be eligible to be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return.  People with Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers, except for the spouses and qualifying children of military personnel, are not eligible.

According to the IRS, retirees should also be aware that receiving the stimulus payment should have no impact on other federal benefits currently being received.  The stimulus payment is not taxable.  In addition, absent any other filing requirements, filing a tax return to receive a stimulus payment does not mean that retirees will have to start filing tax returns again.

More information is available on the IRS’ web site at http://www.irs.gov/ (click on the “rebate payment questions”) or call the IRS Rebate Hotline at 1-866-234-2942.