Deadlines: Stimulus Payments (IEP), and Autism Services Waiver Program

Health-Law-Announcements
09/29/20

I’m writing about two sets of upcoming deadlines: 

(1)   Deadlines to apply for the one-time IRS stimulus payments, authorized by the CARES Act, of up to $1200 for eligible adults and $500 per qualified child (also known as the Economic Impact Payment (EIP)): Sept. 30 for just the additional $500/qualifying child; Oct. 15 for eligible people who haven’t received any stimulus payment yet. 

              

(2)   Brief application period for families to apply for the Dept. of Developmental Services (DDS) Autism Services Waiver program, which provides intensive services for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Oct 16-31.

 

1. Deadlines for Economic Impact Payment (i.e. IRS Stimulus Payment):

Sept. 30- Deadline to Register for $500/ Qualifying Child Payment:

Reminder that tomorrow, September 30, is the deadline for recipients of SSI, Social Security, Railroad Retirement, and Veterans Affairs benefits who already received their own Economic Impact Payment (EIP) but did not receive the $500/ qualifying child EIP to register to receive a payment of $500/ qualifying child using this IRS non-filer tool. Click here for FAQs on this non-filer tool.

Oct 15- Deadline to Register for EIP Payment:

While most eligible people automatically received their EIP earlier this year, many who don’t usually file a tax return, and didn’t automatically receive a payment, need to register using the IRS non-filer tool to receive their EIP in 2020. The deadline to register with the IRS non-filer tool is October 15.

While the September 30 deadline described above is for people who have already received their own EIP but not the $500/qualifying child payment, the October 15 deadline is for people who have not received any EIP- for themselves or their qualifying children if they have them.

Those who register using the IRS non-filer tool can enter their bank account information to receive their payment via direct deposit, or they will be mailed a paper check.

The IRS has begun mailing letters to people who typically don’t file federal income tax returns and may be eligible for, but have not yet registered to receive an EIP, reminding them to register by October 15. The IRS has published this letter online to help address concerns of fraud or false information.   

Anybody who does not register to receive their EIP by the deadline can still claim their EIP in 2021 by filing a 2020 federal income tax return and claiming their EIP as a credit.

Local Resources for Help Using IRS Non-filer Tool for EIP:

 

  • Greater Boston Legal Services Tax Clinic: Tax returns and federal COVID payments: 617-603-1510 Call if you have a question or concerns.
  • WilmerHale Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School Federal Tax Clinic: Prospective clients can apply for assistance by calling (866) 738-8081 (toll free) or (617) 390-1729 and asking for the Federal Tax Clinic
  • Boston Tax Coalition:  Stimulus Payment Help: https://www.bostontaxhelp.org/stimulus-payment-help/
  • MassCap Tax Coalition https://www.masscap.org/freetaxprep/

 

2. DDS Autism Services Waiver Program Application Period:

The DDS Autism Services Waiver Program is accepting new applications between October 16 and October 31, 2020 from families interested in the program. This waiver is a Medicaid program for low-income children with autism, under the age of 9, who meet clinical and financial eligibility requirements.

Applications must be postmarked or emailed no later than October 31, 2020. Click here to find applications in 12 different languages.

Here is DDS’s description of the waiver program:

This Waiver is a Medicaid Program designed to provide services to help children with autism remain in their homes and actively participate with their families and community. This program receives partial funding from the federal government. Waiver services are supplemental to special education services provided under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.) This Program requires that each family hire a specialized clinician who creates an individually designed Behavior Plan, based on a therapy model chosen by the family, to support their child’s assessed needs. The family will also need to hire direct support staff to provide the one-to-one intensive therapy designated in the Positive Behavior Support Plan. Families in the Program also have an opportunity to choose other waiver services designed to help their children develop in areas related to behavior, social skills and communication. Additional services under the waiver include community integration activities, family training and respite.