Millions Could Miss Out on Stimulus Payments; Illinois Residents Need Help To Get Stimulus Payments

Millions of individuals and families could miss out on stimulus payments because they don’t know how to get them. An estimated 400,000 individuals in Illinois are considered non-filers. They will need to file a tax return or complete an online IRS form by October 15 to get the payment this year.

The outstanding payments amount to roughly $4 million for Illinoisans , which — if delivered and spent — would reduce hardship and give state and local economies a much-needed boost. These payments would go to extremely low-income individuals and families at a time when need is rising due to the pandemic. This includes families with children and people who have been disconnected from work opportunities for a long period. 

“We know people in our community are struggling to get by, and these payments could make a big difference in their lives,” said Zo Slater, Executive Director of Vennmedia:ANME. “We also know there’s a lot of confusion about who qualifies and how to get your checks. This is even harder for people who don’t have internet access or who don’t typically file tax returns. We’re here to help.” 

Vennmedia:ANME is helping people understand their eligibility to get the payments by offering virtual outreach activities and client support.  

Economic Impact Payments –commonly referred to as “stimulus checks” or “recovery rebates”– are a key provision of the Coronavirus Aid Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act legislation that Congress passed to help reduce the financial burden of COVID-19 on individuals and their families. The payments are an advance of a temporary tax credit for 2020 (which you file taxes for in 2021). 

The full stimulus payment of $1,200 is available to individuals who have no income or earn less than $75,000, or under $150,000 if married filing taxes jointly. Some people with higher earnings may receive a smaller payment. Dependents under age 17 with a social security number or an adoption taxpayer identification number qualify for an additional $500 credit. To receive a payment, each filer must have a social security number and cannot be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return. Married military couples only need one social security number.  

The IRS is automatically sending payments to people who already filed taxes for 2018 or 2019; receive Social Security, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI); or who are a railroad retiree or Veterans Affairs (VA) beneficiary. During the first month of release, the IRS delivered over 4 million payments worth $9 billion in Illinois.

People who aren’t required to file taxes and who earned less than $12,200 ($24,400 if married) in 2019 need to go to www.irs.gov/eip to complete an online form so the IRS knows where to send their payment. 

Anyone who earned more than $12,200 ($24,400 if married) or more than $400 in self-employment income in 2019 is required to file taxes and needs to do so to get their payment. There are three ways people can file taxes for free:

1. Online – People can file their own federal and state taxes at MyFreeTaxes.com or IRS.gov/FreeFile.

2. Remote filing – IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers can file tax returns virtually for people at GetYourRefund.org. 

3. Local tax assistance – While many Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites are closed, Organization is offering tax filing help through drop-off/ virtual tax prep/ remote FSA services. Find your local VITA site at irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep and call to learn any services offered. 

The IRS Get My Payment tool allows people to check when and how their payment will arrive. 

The IRS refers to this money as an “Economic Impact Payment” and will not contact people by phone, email, text message, or social media to request personal information or a “processing” fee. The IRS will send written correspondence. 

For more information, call 312-662-8839. You can also visit Vennmedia:ANME website at www.vennmedia.org or go to our Virtual Outreach page.

About Vennmedia: ANME 

Vennmedia: ANME is an organization that supports the mission and programs of economic, educational and community development through career training, continuing education, internships, youth programs, fundraising initiatives, and community outreach efforts, helping raise the community resources it needs to make a difference for the most vulnerable members of our communities.