The third round of Economic Impact Payments – or “stimulus checks” – from the U.S. government, with a value of up to $1,400, are being spread to eligible Americans, but homeless individuals face unique challenges getting the money they’re entitled to.
The internet has been talking about this disparity, including a viral tweet on March 15 by model and activist Hamdia Ahmed, educating people on getting EIP returns from tax return offices. The Internal Revenue Service also made an informational page about homelessness and the first EIP in November of 2020.
Who is eligible for the EIP?
According to the Internal Revenue Service, U.S. citizens and U.S. resident aliens are generally eligible for the full $1,400 EIP as long as they are “not a dependent of another taxpayer, have a valid Social Security number, and make an adjusted gross income of under $74,000.” Unless married filing jointly or as head of household. For more detailed information click here.
Generally, the third EIP is being disbursed based on IRS tax return information or by Social Security or disability benefit status. However people with an income of less than $12,200, or $24,400 if married filing jointly, are not required to file tax returns. However, for some eligible people who don’t file taxes, or receive Social Security or disability benefits, including many in the homeless population, the IRS cannot automatically send a payment.
People who did not file taxes in 2019 or 2020 can still receive the EIP by filing taxes either with brand-name tax preparing software or for free through “IRS Free File.” In fact, they can also still receive the first and second EIPs using Recovery Rebate Credit.
How to file taxes if they haven’t already been filed
The IRS Free File tool is an easy and convenient way to file taxes online.
For help filing taxes in order to receive the EIP, tax preparation services are offered in-person by several local businesses across town, as well as larger firms like Jackson Hewitt and H&R Block. The Corvallis-Benton County Public Library noted that “Philomath is offering appointment-based Tax-Aide assistance at Philomath City Hall, 980 Applegate Street.” For more information on the Philomath tax resource, call 541-602-5829.
The Library also recommends use of the free online tax-aide service offered by AARP available to anyone, “with a special focus on taxpayers who are over 50 or have low to moderate income.”
For a computer to file taxes online, the Corvalls-Benton County Public Library may offer appointments for the use of computers. For more information or to make an appointment, call 541-766-6702. The IRS Free File tool can also be accessed using a smartphone or tablet.
How to receive an EIP without a fixed address
Some options for people without a fixed address to receive the EIP in the mail are to use the address of a friend or relative, the address of a local shelter or place of worship, or to contact a post office and ask for mail in their name to be held as General Delivery. This story from ABC 10 has more details and suggestions relating to this issue.
The Post Office in Corvallis is downtown at 311 SW 2nd St, and its local phone number is 541-752-4358.
Shelters in Corvallis include Jackson Street Youth Services, Corvallis Housing First, Community Outreach Inc, and the Corvallis Men’s Shelter, which currently serves as a Hygeine Center, and provides service to people of all genders.
How to use an EIP without a bank account
The lack of a bank account is easily one of the most difficult hurdles for homeless people hoping to get the EIP. In some cases there is no problem, as some EIPs are being sent as EIP Cards – essentially, prepaid debit cards – as opposed to paper checks. These cards can be used without a bank account, and can even be used to withdraw cash at ATMs or stores which offer cash back.
However it is unclear whether there is any reason an individual will receive a paper check as opposed to an EIP Card or vice versa, and paper checks must be cashed into a bank account. The use of a cash check makes using the EIP more difficult for homeless people, as creating a bank account usually requires an address or at least a photo ID.
In Oregon it is possible for homeless people to get a photo ID, as the DMV can accept a “descriptive address” along with a “mailing address.” For example, a person’s ID could include the descriptive address “under the Highway 34 overpass,” and the mailing address of the Corvallis Men’s Shelter. Additionally, free Birth Certificates using various proofs of identity are available to homeless people for the purposes of obtaining an ID or bank account. That being said, many homeless people don’t have photo IDs already because of various barriers, and the process of obtaining one is incredibly time-consuming.
For people who do have a photo ID, there are some banks in Corvallis which have free checking account options, such as Oregon State Credit Union. For those who do not, it is possible to cash an EIP check into someone else’s bank account – so that is an option if there is a person who can be trusted to withdraw and return the cash to its legal recipient.
By Ardea C. Eichner
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