NPR

Those $1,200 Emergency Payments Are Arriving — And Debt Collectors May Be Eyeing Them

The federal government has begun sending $1,200 checks to millions of Americans. But some who need the money the most may have trouble actually getting it, and debt collectors may want it too.
Seattle musician Begin Nora has lost all her income in the coronavirus pandemic. With three teenagers to feed, she and her husband are eager to get the emergency government money.

Those $1,200 federal payments to help Americans through the coronavirus crisis have started arriving in some people's bank accounts via direct deposit. But many people will have to wait longer — and there could be pitfalls, such as debt collectors grabbing the money before you do.

Those who'll be getting checks in the mail may not see them for weeks or even months. To get the money faster, millions of people will have to provide direct-deposit account information to the IRS.

The IRS is just starting to bring portals online to let people do on Friday, but it's just for people who are not required to file tax returns. expected this week will allow everybody else to provide the IRS with account information for direct deposit if the IRS doesn't already have it.

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