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Relatives of dead people across the US have been receiving $1,200 stimulus relief money from the U.S. Treasury Department on behalf of their loved ones this week.
Ok this is insane, but just the tip of the iceberg. This is a direct text to me from a friend. I called to confirm this actually just happened. pic.twitter.com/GBRPcmYMXW
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) April 15, 2020
My deceased father of almost a year received his. DM'd you.
— Erin Kurinsky 🇺🇲💙💛💙💛🌻 (@kurinsky_eo) April 15, 2020
Apparently, if someone filed a 2018 tax return they are automatically sent a stimulus check whether dead or alive.
Payments are sent to people based on their 2018 income.
If this person made money that year – and someone filed his taxes posthumously – then he would be on the list. https://t.co/frSwnj89B5
— Kayla Tausche (@kaylatausche) April 15, 2020
According to NBC News, the US government is going to allow the families of loved ones who passed away to keep the money.
Via NBC News
Relatives of dead Americans all over the country are receiving coronavirus relief payments from the U.S. Treasury Department on behalf of the loved ones this week. Many are confused. Was it a mistake? Are they required to send it back? Some of them have already tried to. Either way, they can rest easy.
The U.S. government plans to allow heirs or spouses of dead people to keep the money, a source familiar with the matter said. A Treasury spokesperson declined to comment but said guidance on the matter is forthcoming.