It has been over month since the first wave of stimulus checks were sent out by the federal government as part of the more than $2 trillion coronavirus response bill, but some people are still waiting to receive their payments. Carroll County Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach is providing guidance to individuals who feel as if their wait will go on indefinitely. According to Family Finance Specialist, Carol Ehlers, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has launched an online system that allows people to check the status of their payment.
For most people, the IRS already has a bank account on file that is associated with your Social Security Number or Individual Tax ID Number, and the stimulus would have been deposited automatically for those who qualify. However, Ehlers says payments can be delayed for a variety of reasons, most commonly for older taxpayers or individuals on disability.
According to Ehlers, most delays are caused when the IRS cannot make a deposit due to insufficient information about your bank. Fortunately, Ehlers says there are some simple steps you can take to speed up the process.
Many banks and credit unions are offering free remote account creation. A list of participating financial institutions can be found through the link included with this story on our website. Ehlers encourages people who are still waiting on their stimulus payment to act quickly, as the IRS is in the process of getting physical checks printed and mailed. For assistance with stimulus payments or other financial issues, contact your local ISU Extension and Outreach office directly.
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https://covidbanking.joinbankon.org/
