Seniors Won't Have to File Tax Returns to Get Coronavirus Stimulus Check

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Wednesday that people who receive Social Security benefits and don't normally have to file a tax return, will also not be required to file one in order to receive a stimulus check.

"We want to ensure that our senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, and low-income Americans receive Economic Impact Payments quickly and without undue burden," said Mnuchin. “Social Security recipients who are not typically required to file a tax return need to take no action, and will receive their payment directly to their bank account.”

Instead, Treasury officials will use existing forms on file in order to send payments to seniors. Checks will be sent to those people who do not have a bank account on file with the IRS. People who receive Social Security retirement or disability payments are sent as SSA-1099 form from the Social Security Administration, which is what will be used by the government.

The stimulus directs one-time payments of $1,200 for individuals who make less than $99,000 and $2,400 for couples who earn less than $198,000.

People were initially confused by language on the IRS's website, which indicated that seniors and low-income individuals would need to "file a simple tax return to receive an economic impact payment" making no mention of the SSA-1099 form.

On Wednesday, the IRS updated its website to reflect the new guidelines set out by Mnuchin, saying "The IRS will use the information on the Form SSA-1099 or Form RRB-1099 to generate Economic Impact Payments to recipients of benefits reflected in the Form SSA-1099 or Form RRB-1099 who are not required to file a tax return and did not file a return for 2018 or 2019. This includes senior citizens, Social Security recipients and railroad retirees who are not otherwise required to file a tax return."

6.6 Million People Filed for Unemployment Last Week Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic that's brought the global economy to a virtual standstill has prompted a record number of Americans to file for unemployment benefits last week.

According to figures released by the Labor Department on Thursday, a record 6.6 million people filed for unemployment last week - shattering the previous record of 3.28 million jobless claims from the week before. However, because many people had difficulties accessing the system and filing a claim, the number could be much higher.

The Labor Department is scheduled to release unemployment figures for the month of March on Friday, with most economists expecting a loss of about 100,000 jobs bringing an end to more than ten years of consistent monthly job creation.

Last week, President Donald Trump signed the CARES act, a $2.2 trillion stimulus package that included extending unemployment benefits and expands the amount they receive every week. On Sunday, Trump announced that his administration was extending social distancing guidelines for another thirty days, and that Americans should continue to work from home if they can and avoid going out.

Lawmakers have already begun working on another stimulus package, which could come in the form of an infrastructure plan.

To keep up to date on the latest news about the coronavirus and to understand what you need to stay safe and healthy, check out the Coronavirus: Fact vs Fiction podcast from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

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