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What Happens to a Pandemic Stimulus Payment Upon Death?

Client Alert

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.


New $100,000 Fee on H-1B Petitions – Legal Immigration

President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) imposing a $100,000 payment to accompany any new H-1B visa petitions submitted after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on September 21, 2025 and will remain in place for 12 months (unless extended).

Implications of Supreme Court Stay for Business Operations in Noem v. Vasquez Perdomo

On September 8, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily reinstated immigration officers’ authority to conduct brief stops based on factors such as location, work type, language, or appearance. This stay in Noem v. Vasquez Perdomo allows enforcement actions to resume in California pending appeal. Employers in industries like construction, agriculture, landscaping, and day labor should prepare for increased worksite disruptions and review compliance protocols.

Ohio House Bill 429: Potential Relief for Providers Facing Same-Day Reimbursement Restrictions

Ohio House Bill 429 aims to prevent third-party payers from reducing provider reimbursement for multiple procedures performed on the same day. The bill could improve payment practices for a range of specialties, including surgery and gastroenterology.

FTC Continues to Target Noncompetes

The 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.

Medicare Updates: Prior Authorizations and Physician Fee Schedule

The 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.