Can People Experiencing Homelessness Receive a Stimulus Check?
Aubry Vonck • March 18, 2021
In recent days, articles have circulated that outline the process for individuals experiencing homelessness to receive stimulus checks. The Coalition has received several inquiries about the accuracy of these articles and how we can get the correct information to people experiencing homelessness.
Case managers at SEARCH Homeless Services
helped us better understand the process and what it means for people experiencing homelessness.
The only way that people experiencing homelessness can receive their stimulus payment is by filing a tax return, even if they don’t normally file taxes or are not required to file a tax return. If they did not receive any or received less than the full amount of the Economic Impact Payments (also known the EIP, or stimulus check), they must file a 2020 tax return to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit.
If the person already has a bank account or direct deposit info, they can provide that to the tax preparer. If they do not have a bank account, the tax preparer can provide a pre-paid debit card with direct deposit info that can be used when filing. Once the IRS processes the return, they will receive the direct deposit on that debit card.
Where can people experiencing homelessness find a tax preparer and file their tax return?
There are many free volunteer income tax centers in our area. Search by zip code online at
https://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/. See below for three Houston locations:
South Texas College of Law
1303 San Jacinto
Houston, TX 77002
713-659-8040
Languages: English, Spanish, and Portuguese
Appointment Required
University of Houston Downtown
320 N. Main Street, Suite 410-F
Houston, TX 77002
713-221-5015
Languages: English, Vietnamese, and Spanish
Languages: English, Vietnamese, and Spanish
Appointment Not Required
Hours: Th-Fr 10:00am-4:00pm
Sat 10:00am-2:00pm
BakerRipley Ripley House Campus
4410 Navigation Blvd
Houston, TX 77011
713-273-3755
Languages: English and Spanish
Languages: English and Spanish
Appointment Required
For more detailed assistance, clients can also contact the United Way MyFreeTaxes Helpline at 1-844-322-3639 or visit their website.
On this World Health Day – and after five years of COVID-19 being declared a global pandemic, we reflect on our system’s work through the Community COVID Housing Program (CCHP) .
March is National Social Work Month!
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