Last updated April 2026.
Key points:
- The Social Security Administration (SSA) already provides Social Security card replacements for individuals who lose their cards.
- There is no cost to replace a lost Social Security card.
- Replacement Social Security cards are sent directly to the applicant’s address and can be tracked online.
Social Security Stimulus Checks 2020
The 2020 Economic Impact Payment (EIP), commonly referred to as the stimulus check, was issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to provide financial relief during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Who Qualified for the 2020 Stimulus Payment?
To qualify for a 2020 stimulus check, you generally needed to:
- Be a U.S. citizen or resident alien
- Have a valid SSN
- Have a valid Social Security number
- Have a gross income below specific thresholds
- Have filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return
How Much Was the 2020 Stimulus Check?
The 2020 stimulus checks (Economic Impact Payments) were provided in the following amounts:
- $1,200 per adult
- $500 per dependent child (ages 16 and under)
When Did Americans Receive the Stimulus Check?
The first stimulus checks were sent out in April 2020. However, some individuals did not receive their payments until later in the summer of 2020 or even beyond, depending on payment method and Social Security administration.
How Did You Receive Your Stimulus Check?
Individuals received their stimulus checks through one of three methods:
- Direct deposit into their bank account
- Check in the mail to their address on file
- Card issued to their address (for some individuals without a bank account)
What If You Never Received Your Stimulus Check?
If you did not receive your 2020 stimulus payment, you could claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2020 tax return. To do this, you needed:
- Your birth certificate (or other proof of citizenship)
- Your SSN
- Tax return information
2021 and 2022 Stimulus Checks
Two additional rounds of stimulus payments were distributed in 2021 and 2022. These followed the same general eligibility requirements as the 2020 stimulus check.