VA, DC Residents: Check Your Stimulus Payment Status

WASHINGTON DC — DC and northern Virginia residents are looking forward to the payment expected as part of a $2 trillion federal economic relief package intended to soften the financial and economic blow caused by the new coronavirus pandemic.

Some payments have begun arriving and a new website has been launched to track the status of your money if you have not received it yet. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the Internal Revenue Service created an online portal, which launched Wednesday. The portal will help Americans track when the payments are likely to show up in their bank accounts or mailboxes.

Through the "Get My Payment" tool, Americans can not only check on their payment status, but can also confirm payment type (direct deposit or check) and enter bank account information for direct deposit if the Internal Revenue Service doesn't have the information on file.

To use the tool, you'll input your Social Security Number, date of birth and address. The system will then tell you if your payment is being deposited, or if you need to enter banking information.

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“Get My Payment will offer people with a quick and easy way to find the status of their payment and, where possible, provide their bank account information if we don’t already have it,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “Our IRS employees have been working non-stop on the Economic Impact Payments to help taxpayers in need.”

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the goal is to use direct deposit for as many payments as possible and avoid mailing checks.

Some Americans reported seeing direct deposits in their bank accounts last Saturday, and others started seeing deposits Monday. By Wednesday, 80 million people should receive a direct deposit in their bank account, Mnuchin has said.

But when the rest of Americans will receive their money will vary. The first group includes people who have already given their bank account information to the IRS for the direct deposit of tax refunds on 2018 or 2019 tax returns, USA Today reported. Additionally, Social Security beneficiaries who filed federal tax returns that included direct deposit information would be part of that first group.

The second wave of money could hit bank accounts the week of April 20 for a group of people who receive Social Security benefits via direct deposit but may not make enough money to be required to file a federal income tax return in 2018 or 2019.

For those receiving paper checks, the first round is expected to go out in late April or possibly the first week in May. The first checks are supposed to go out to families who have the lowest incomes — possibly those who make less than $10,000 a year, according to USA Today.

Unemployment soars in Virginia, DC

How To File VA Unemployment Claim
There are two primary steps to receiving unemployment insurance. First you must file an application to establish or reopen a claim. If you are out of work due to the coronavirus crisis then you will select "Lack of Work" as the reason for separation. Secondly, you access the program each week to claim unemployment insurance payment.

You should file your application or reopen your previous claim by visiting our website at www.vec.virginia.gov. This method is the preferred way to access the unemployment insurance application during this time of very heavy claim activity.

If you used the online system previously, the user name and passwords will remain the same.
You may file your claim through the Customer Contact Center by calling 866-832-2363. (Monday through Friday 8:15am to 4:30pm.) If you must file by telephone, continue to call back if lines are busy.

DC Unemployment Claims

Visit the DC Department of Employment Services website for links to applications forms. You can also call 202-724-7000.

Related:

• 49 New VA Coronavirus Deaths, 752 Hospital Patients Discharged
• 5 New Coronavirus Deaths In DC; Total Positive Cases Top 2,100
• Long-Term Care Residents At Risk From Coronavirus Test Shortage