Stimulus Checks During the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Crisis

This resource contains common questions about the Economic Impact Payment (stimulus check) during the COVID-19 crisis for Tampa Bay area residents including Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Manatee, and Sarasota counties.

Apply for services by phone Monday-Friday, 9.a.m.-4:30 p.m., or apply online anytime.

• Legal Aid Line: (800) 625-2257
• Senior Legal Helpline: (888) 895-7873
• Veterans Legal Helpline: (866) 486-6161

To learn more about our services, visit Get Help or How Do I Apply? Am I Eligible?.

Are you still waiting on your stimulus check?

• It's not too late to get your Economic Impact Payment (stimulus check)
• The payment isn’t taxable and you won't need to pay it back
• The payment won't impact your benefits or immigration status
• There is no late filing penalty if you don't owe taxes

Are your eligible for a stimulus check?

• U.S. citizen, permanent resident or qualifying resident alien with a valid Social Security number
• Cannot be claimed as a dependent of another taxpayer
• Adjusted gross income under certain limits

If you believe you are eligible for an Economic Impact Payment (stimulus check) AND you are not required to file a tax return, that may be the reason for the delay.

If you don’t usually file a tax return, the IRS may not have enough information to determine your eligibility. This includes those who have no income, or who receive the federal benefits listed below:

• Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI), survivor benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Veterans Affairs Compensation and Pension (C&P) benefits
• Railroad Retirement (RRB) benefits

If this applies to you, the IRS recently extended the deadline for applying. You can apply for the stimulus check by providing your information to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

• Go to the IRS website and provide the required information using the IRS Non-Filers Tool

If you have further questions, help is available on the IRS website or on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau website.

I got an EIP stimulus payment prepaid card in the mail. What is it?

The U.S. Treasury is sending out a second round of stimulus payments, and some people will receive the payment in the form of an Economic Impact Payments (EIP) prepaid card. The card is not a scam, and there are ways to cash or use the card without fees.

How to identify the card:

EIP Cards will be sent in a white envelope with the U.S. Treasury seal with this return address: Economic Impact Payment Card, PO Box 247022, Omaha, NE 68124.

How to use the card with no fees:

Visit EIPcard.com to see the fee schedule, FAQs and more information. Key tips:

• Use the card anywhere Visa is accepted, including online, on the phone, and at stores.
• Use a surcharge-free ATM in the Allpoint Network, including at Target, Walgreens, CVS, Kroger, Safeway, Winn Dixie and Circle K. Find an ATM near you by downloading the Money Network Mobile App or using the online ATM locator. At other ATMs, the ATM will charge a fee plus the card charges $2 after the first withdrawal.
• Transfer the funds to your bank, prepaid or mobile payment account through the app or online. You may need to contact the provider of your other account to obtain the routing and account number. You can transfer up to $2,500 per day.
• Go to the teller window at almost any bank or credit union. The first withdrawal, which can be up to $2,500, is free. Additional teller withdrawals cost $5.
• Ask for cash back from a supermarket or big box store.
• Call (800) 240-8100 to request a free Money Network Check, which you can make out to anyone (i.e., a landlord, yourself). But you’ll have to wait for it in the mail, and you must log into your account to get a number to activate the check, so the other options may be easier.

What to do if you threw out the card:

Call (800) 240-8100. Replacement cards are free.

Keep the card even after it is empty:

You may be able to use it to quickly receive additional payments if Congress passes another stimulus bill.

Source: EIP Card information from the National Consumer Law Center.

Last updated: February 1, 2021