#IRS sending out second batch of COVID-19 stimulus checks

The feds have started distributing a second batch of coronavirus relief payments that will hit some Americans’ bank accounts on Wednesday.

The Internal Revenue Service said it began processing this group of direct deposits on Friday with a payment date of March 24, meaning the people due to receive them should have the money on Wednesday.

The IRS didn’t say how many payments are in this batch. But the feds said “a large number” will be mailed in the form of a physical check or prepaid debit card, so anyone who doesn’t get a direct deposit should keep an eye on the mail.

“Since this new set of payments will include more mailed payments, we urge people to carefully watch their mail for a check or debit card in the coming weeks,” IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said in an agency news release Monday.

The first batch of roughly 90 million “economic impact payments” worth more than $242 billion went out last week, leading many taxpayers to rejoice over their $1,400 government windfalls.

The IRS plans to roll out additional groups of payments on a weekly basis. More people are receiving their money by direct deposit than the first two rounds of stimulus checks, according to officials, but the feds will send a paper check or debit card to anyone for whom the government doesn’t have banking records.

Anyone still waiting on their check can use the IRS’ “Get My Payment” tool to track the payment’s status.

It’s unclear, though, when the money will get to people relying on federal benefits such as Social Security.

The IRS says those people will receive their stimulus checks the same way they get their regular benefits. But several beneficiaries have taken to Twitter to complain about the lack of a concrete timeline from the government.

In its Monday news release, the IRS said it’s working with the Social Security Administration and other agencies “to obtain updated 2021 information for recipients to ensure it is sending automatic payments to as many people as possible.” The agency added that it would provide more information “as soon as it becomes available.”