The Trump administration backtracked Wednesday evening on new rules and said Social Security recipients won't have to file a tax return to receive a stimulus payment.
The move is a response to pressure from elderly Americans and senators to rescind guidance from Monday that said seniors needed to file a return to get the checks of up to $1,200, even if they weren't ordinarily required to file taxes, NBC News reports.
"We want to ensure that our senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, and low-income Americans receive Economic Impact Payments quickly and without undue burden," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. "Social Security recipients who are not typically required to file a tax return need to take no action, and will receive their payment directly to their bank account."
Treasury said the IRS will use existing SSA-1099 and RRB-1099 forms to make the payments to seniors. They'll get a direct deposit if there is a bank account on file; otherwise they'll receive a check in the mail.
Read the full story at NBCNews.com