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Did veterans' stimulus check payments go out? This is everything you need to know

Stimulus payments of up to $1,400 per person started going out to veterans this week, weeks after other recipients. Here's what to know about the check delivery, money for your dependents and more.

Clifford Colby Managing Editor
Clifford is a managing editor at CNET, where he leads How-To coverage. He spent a handful of years at Peachpit Press, editing books on everything from the first iPhone to Python. He also worked at a handful of now-dead computer magazines, including MacWEEK and MacUser. Unrelated, he roots for the Oakland A's.
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Stimulus checks are coming for veterans who receive VA benefits and don't normally file taxes.

Angela Lang/CNET

For US veterans who have been waiting for their third stimulus check, the IRS started making payments this week. The $1,400 payments, for those who receive VA disability or pension benefits and don't normally file taxes, come a week after those who qualify for SSI and SSDI payments started getting their money. 

If you receive benefits from the VA, your payment schedule and confirmation should be available on the IRS' stimulus tracker tool. Here's what you need to know about your stimulus money, including if you qualify, how the money will arrive and if you need to file a tax return in order to claim money for your dependents.

Plus, here's how to see if your state owes you extra money, how to save money on health care and how you could get a monthly child tax credit (here's our child credit guide). This is the latest on student loan debt forgiveness and a fourth stimulus check. This story has been updated with new information.

If you receive VA benefits, do you qualify for the third stimulus check?

Yes. Those who received veteran benefits in 2020 automatically qualify for a payment and won't need to take any additional steps to receive their payment, the IRS said. The Veterans Affairs Department and IRS are working together to make sure the payments reach qualified veterans in this group. However, nonfilers are being told they need to file a 2020 tax return if they have dependents that the IRS doesn't know about, for example, a new baby born in 2020 or 2021.

When do veterans get their third stimulus check payment?

Third stimulus payments to VA beneficiaries who do not regularly file tax returns are starting to arrive this week, starting April 14, the IRS said. Those who receive VA benefits may be able to see updates for their payment information in the IRS' Get My Payment tool.

Watch this: Stimulus check 3: How much money you'll get

How much stimulus money could you get?

With the American Rescue Plan, those who qualify for the third stimulus check can receive up to $1,400 apieceDependents -- including older adult relatives, college-age children and dependents with certain disabilities -- could count for an additional $1,400 apiece (more below).

How will you receive your $1,400 stimulus check?

If you did not file a tax return and you receive VA benefits on a Direct Express card, your third stimulus payment will be deposited to that card, the IRS said. The VA said if you have direct deposit set up with the IRS, you may have already received your payment as early as March 12 of this year. If the IRS does not have direct deposit information on file for you, it will use information from other government agencies to make your payment. 

If you're a veteran and don't have a bank account, the VA has a program to help you set up a banking account to receive your VA benefits. With stimulus payments going out over the next week to VA beneficiaries, it may be too late to direct the check to a new account, however.

$100 bills

Those who receive VA benefits should look for a stimulus check soon.

Stephen Shankland/CNET

Who is a qualified dependent?

With the third check, any dependent you claim is eligible to count toward $1,400 going to the family total. Dependents do not receive their own stimulus checks. (Here's who the IRS considers an adult eligible for a stimulus check.) With the first two rounds of payments, those who received federal benefits had to take an extra step to receive money for dependents, and you may also need to file a 2020 tax form (for free) to claim your dependents for the third stimulus check. That includes babies born in 2020.

Does the stimulus payment lower your VA benefits?

No. The VA said it won't count any money received as part of the stimulus package as income for determining benefits. For example, if your family of four receives $5,600 in a stimulus check, that amount has no bearing on your usual benefits.

What about the child tax credit?

One source of money you could see in the new American Rescue Plan is an expansion of the child tax credit. For a child age 5 years and younger, parents and caregivers can receive up to $3,600 per child this year. For each kid between the ages of 6 and 17, parents and caregivers can receive up to $3,000. Here's what we know about the CTC, including more child qualification details and when the payments could arrive.

What about federal unemployment?

The new stimulus bill also renews federal unemployment benefits. The $300 weekly checks will run till Sept. 6. Here's more information on the unemployment checks.

Can you still get the first or second stimulus checks?

Yes, according to the VA. You'll need to file a tax return this year and request a Recovery Rebate Credit on the tax form for any missing money you were owed from the first and second stimulus paymentsSee our guide to the first round of checks if you need more details. Here are the main differences between all three stimulus checks.

Here's more on what we know about the third stimulus check for those who receive federal benefits, how to track your stimulus check and how to make sure you got the right amount of money.