This story has been corrected to clarify that only social security beneficiaries are impacted by this change at this point.

In order to receive their COVID-19 stimulus checks, social security beneficiaries no longer have to file tax returns, the Internal Revenue Service decided.

Initially, the IRS notified the public that social security beneficiaries who did not file tax returns in 2018 or 2019 would need to file an abbreviated return in order to get the rebate.

However, following pressure by Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif) and several other members of Congress, the Department of Treasury announced that Social Security beneficiaries will now automatically receive the direct COVID-19 relief payments.

Supplemental security income recipients must still file a tax return to receive the benefit.

"Congressman Panetta is going to continue to pressure the administration to make the same automatic payment to some veterans and those who receive SSI," said Sarah Wolman, spokeswoman for Panetta.

Beneficiaries to automatically receive COVID-19 relief payments

"This requirement presents substantial and unnecessary hardships for these beneficiaries and delays critical relief for our most vulnerable citizens," wrote Panetta and the other congresspeople.

"Tens of millions of SSA beneficiaries, particularly SSI recipients and the 1 in 4 seniors who depend almost exclusively on Social Security to make ends meet, do not file returns," the letter continued. "These individuals include some of the most vulnerable who are unlikely to have the capability to file a return. This will cause substantial delay for those who need it most and may result in many never receiving assistance at all."

According to the U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program, more than 13% of residents in Monterey County are ages 65 and older, and more than 5% of residents younger than 65 are disabled.

Payments will be automatically deposited into beneficiaries' bank accounts, or sent by paper check, just as they would normally receive their benefits.

The IRS will use the information on the Form SSA-1099 and Form RRB-1099 to generate stimulus payments to social security recipients who did not file tax returns in 2018 or 2019, a release by the IRS said.

"Social Security recipients who are not typically required to file a tax return do not need to take any action, and will receive their payment directly to their bank account," said Secretary Steven Mnuchin in the release.

Who will receive a stimulus check?

The Tax Policy Center estimated as many as 150 million U.S. households would be eligible to receive full or partial payments of the $1,200 stimulus checks.

Under the program, all U.S. residents with an adjusted gross income up to $75,000 ($150,000 married), who are not a dependent of another taxpayer and have a work-eligible Social Security number, are eligible for the full rebate check.

They would receive $1,200 per adult — or $2,400 married — as part of a stimulus rebate. In addition, they are eligible for an additional $500 per child.

"This is true even for those who have no income, as well as those whose income comes entirely from non-taxable means-tested benefit programs, such as SSI benefits," according to the Senate compromise.

The IRS will use a taxpayer's 2019 tax return or a 2018 tax return for information in order to send out the money via direct deposit or check.

The rebate amount is reduced by $5 for each $100 that a taxpayer’s income exceeds the phase-out threshold. The amount is completely phased-out for single filers with incomes exceeding $99,000, $146,500 for head of household filers with one child, and $198,000 for joint filers with no children.

See the IRS website, irs.gov/coronavirus, for updates. Right now, the IRS is discouraging calls about the checks. Check the website for updates.

USA Today contributed to this article.

Kate Cimini is a multimedia journalist for The Californian. Call her at (831) 776-5137 or email kcimini@thecalifornian.com.Subscribeto support local journalism.