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What Happens to a Pandemic Stimulus Payment Upon Death?

Client Alert
June 14, 2021

On January 1, 2021, the federal government issued stimulus payments (also known as Economic Impact Payments) to American citizens – on paper. However, many of the stimulus payments were not received until several months later. In some instances, the stimulus payments did not arrive until after an individual died.

If your loved one died in 2021, then you may be wondering what to do with the stimulus check they received. If the individual was alive on January 1, 2021, for any amount of time, then the stimulus check does not need to be returned nor the amount prorated back to the government. The check may be deposited in the individual’s account or estate account if assets are moving through probate. This applies to all three stimulus checks issued by the federal government since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Congress foresaw this issue when passing the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the “Act”). Specifically, the Act created a new section of the Internal Revenue Code, which states that, as long as an individual was alive on January 1, 2021, he or she is entitled to the stimulus check even if he or she dies in 2021.

For additional questions, please contact Estate Planning Attorney Cassandra Manna at clmanna@bmdllc.com.

Estate PlanningCassandra L. MannaStimulus
Client Alert

FTC Continues to Target Noncompetes

September 11, 2025The FTC is intensifying its focus on noncompete agreements in healthcare, urging employers to review contracts for compliance. While Ohio still generally enforces noncompetes, pending legislation could limit their use.Client Alert

Medicare Updates: Prior Authorizations and Physician Fee Schedule

September 8, 2025The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced two key updates effective January 1, 2026: a six-state prior authorization pilot program targeting high-risk services under the WISeR Model, and proposed revisions to the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) that include increased payment rates, expanded telehealth coverage, and updated policies for chronic care, behavioral health, and rural providers.Client Alert

USCIS Policy Updates: Implications for Business Immigration

August 20, 2025In August 2025, USCIS issued three key policy updates enhancing vetting, good moral character (GMC) evaluations, and scrutiny of "anti-American" conduct in immigration adjudications. These policy memos will impact employers sponsoring foreign workers, including H-1B, L-1, EB visas, adjustments, and naturalization.Client Alert

Ohio Passes Antidiscrimination Provision for CRNA Reimbursement

August 14, 2025Ohio has passed House Bill 96, introducing a provider nondiscrimination provision that requires health plans to reimburse certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) at the same rate as physicians for the same services. The law aims to improve patient access to care by eliminating payment discrimination against CRNAs and will take effect on September 30, 2025.Client Alert

Ohio Board of Pharmacy | Administrative Code Rule Changes

July 16, 2025The Ohio Board of Pharmacy (“BOP”) recently posted notices of Ohio Administrative Code rule changes related to record keeping and the sale and distribution of certain ephedrine-containing products.
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