WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) urged the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to address the delays in distributing the third Economic Impact Payments, so that Granite Staters can receive sorely needed COVID-19 relief funds.
In a letter to IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig, Senator Hassan wrote, “I have heard directly from Granite Staters who have yet to receive their third Economic Impact Payment, despite being told that they are eligible.”
“While the IRS has said that it may take until December 2021 to process all payments, Granite Staters cannot afford to keep waiting for relief. I urge the IRS to dedicate additional resources to ensuring that remaining Economic Impact Payments are issued as quickly as possible,” continued Senator Hassan.
This letter is part of Senator Hassan’s ongoing efforts to get Granite Staters and Americans the stimulus payments that they are entitled to. As a result of efforts led by Senator Hassan and a bipartisan group of her colleagues, more than 18 million Americans automatically received their $1,200 Economic Impact Payments included in last year’s bipartisan CARES Act without having to file tax returns. This includes automatic payments to those who receive Social Security retirement or disability benefits, Supplemental Security Income, and VA pension, disability, or survivor benefits.
The December COVID-19 relief and government funding bill also included the bipartisan Automatic Cash Assistance Act, which Senator Hassan introduced with Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), to ensure that Social Security, Veterans Affairs (VA), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries automatically receive the latest COVID-19 economic impact payments that they are entitled to.
To read Senator Hassan’s letter to the IRS, click here or see below:
Dear Commissioner Rettig:
Over the last several weeks, I have heard from additional Granite Staters who have yet to receive their full Economic Impact Payments. As you know, Economic Impact Payments are a critical lifeline for millions of Americans, including thousands of my constituents who have seen their livelihoods and health impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. I strongly support President Biden’s January 2021 Executive Order directing the Treasury Department to explore ways to quickly deliver economic relief to households still waiting for their Economic Impact Payments and am encouraged to see the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) prioritize this issue.
It is clear, though, that more needs to be done. I have heard directly from Granite Staters who have yet to receive their third Economic Impact Payment, despite being told that they are eligible. The IRS has told constituents who have not received their payments and whose payment status is unavailable on the Get My Payment portal that this is “due to a systemic issue.” Similarly, other residents have been told that they are eligible for a payment from the IRS but have been given no date for when they will receive their payment or an explanation for the delay.
While the IRS has said that it may take until December 2021 to process all payments, Granite Staters cannot afford to keep waiting for relief.
I urge the IRS to dedicate additional resources to ensuring that remaining Economic Impact Payments are issued as quickly as possible.
###