--- title: What to Do With a Stimulus Check for a Deceased Family Member description: Some Americans are receiving stimulus checks intended for taxpayers who are no longer living. Here's what you should do with those checks. image: https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(87).jpg --- [![MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2.png?width=464&name=MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2.png "MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2")](https://go.hfcu.org/blog) Filter by Category** - [Show All](https://go.hfcu.org/blog) - [Security](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/security) - [Personal Finance](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/personal-finance) - [Auto](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/auto) - [Business](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/business) - [Credit Score](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-score) - [Home](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/home) - [Credit Cards](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-cards) - [Life Changes](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/life-changes) - [Insurance](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/insurance) - [Investments](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/investments) Filter by Category** - [Show All](https://go.hfcu.org/blog) - [Security](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/security) - [Personal Finance](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/personal-finance) - [Auto](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/auto) - [Business](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/business) - [Credit Score](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-score) - [Home](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/home) - [Credit Cards](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-cards) - [Life Changes](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/life-changes) - [Insurance](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/insurance) - [Investments](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/investments) ### Posts by Topic - [Personal Finance (262)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/personal-finance) - [Home (164)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/home) - [Life Changes (109)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/life-changes) - [Credit Cards (92)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-cards) - [Security (74)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/security) - [Credit Score (69)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-score) - [Auto (60)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/auto) - [Checking (54)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/checking) - [Business (48)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/business) - [Investments (36)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/investments) - [Mortgage (32)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/mortgage) - [Savings (29)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/savings) - [Scams (29)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/scams) - [Work (28)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/work) - [Debt (25)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/debt) - [Holidays (25)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/holidays) - [Money Management (22)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/money-management) - [Hanscom FCU (21)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/hanscom-fcu) - [Home Ownership (21)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/home-ownership) - [Credit Report (20)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-report) - [Government (20)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/government) - [Home Equity (18)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/home-equity) - [Budget (17)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/budget) - [Mobile Banking (17)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/mobile-banking) - [Investment Property (16)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/investment-property) - [Saving Money (16)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/saving-money) - [Insurance (15)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/insurance) - [Taxes (15)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/taxes) - [Children (13)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/children) - [College (11)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/college) - [Financial Wellness (11)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/financial-wellness) - [Retirement (11)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/retirement) - [Community (10)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/community) - [Online Banking (10)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/online-banking) - [Estate Planning (8)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/estate-planning) - [COVID (7)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/covid) - [Deals (7)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/deals) - [Death (7)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/death) - [Shopping (7)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/shopping) - [Fraud (6)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/fraud) - [Mass Save (6)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/mass-save) - [Teens (6)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/teens) - [Divorce (5)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/divorce) - [Travel (5)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/travel) - [ATM (4)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/atm) - [Baby (4)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/baby) - [Debit Cards (3)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/debit-cards) - [Motorcycles (3)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/motorcycles) - [Weddings (3)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/weddings) - [Boats (2)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/boats) - [Charity (2)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/charity) - [Family Finance (2)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/family-finance) - [Lending (2)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/lending) - [Credit Unions (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-unions) - [Green (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/green) - [Medical (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/medical) - [Pets (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/pets) - [dormant account (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/dormant-account) - [inactive account (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/inactive-account) # What to Do With a Stimulus Check for a Deceased Family Member ** [Hanscom Federal Credit Union](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/author/hanscom-federal-credit-union) ** May 29, 2020 ![](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(87).jpg) As the executor of my stepfather's estate I'm used to getting a lot of mail with his name on it. But what was surprising was reaching into my mailbox last week and pulling out a check for $1,200 from the Internal Revenue Service. Although my stepdad has been dead for over two years, it appeared that the government thought he, too, was still deserving of a little stimulus money. I did a bit of research and found that I'm not the only one opening a mailbox to find checks like these. Media outlets around the U.S. are reporting that the IRS has been sending checks out over the last few weeks to Americans who passed away in 2018 and 2019. It has caused so much confusion that [the IRS has finally issued guidance on what should be done with these checks.](https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center) First, the big question. Can you keep your loved one's stimulus payment? [The unequivocal answer, according to the IRS, is no](https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center). The check must be returned to the government.  If the check was made out jointly to you and a deceased spouse, you may cash the check and keep your portion, but your spouse's portion must be returned to the IRS. ## **Here's what the IRS says to do with a paper check you receive:** 1. Write "Void" in the endorsement section on the back of the check. 2. Mail the voided Treasury check immediately to the appropriate IRS location (see list below). 3. Do not staple, bend, or paper clip the check. 4. Include a note stating the reason for returning the check.    ## **If the payment was by paper check and you have cashed it, or if the payment was a direct deposit, here's what you should do:** - Submit a personal check or money order immediately to the appropriate IRS location (see list below); - Make the check/money order payable to "U.S. Treasury"; - Write "2020EIP" and the deceased person's taxpayer identification number (social security number or individual taxpayer identification number) on the check or money order; and - Include a brief explanation of the reason for returning the payment.   ## **Here's where to mail the check:** - If you live in Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, or Vermont, mail it to: Andover Internal Revenue Service, 310 Lowell St. Andover, MA 01810 - If you live in Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, or Virginia, mail it to: Atlanta Internal Revenue Service, 4800 Buford Hwy, Chamblee, GA 30341 - If you live in Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, or Texas, mail it to: Austin Internal Revenue Service, 3651 S Interregional Hwy 35, Austin, TX 78741 - If you live in New York, mail it to: Brookhaven Internal Revenue Service, 5000 Corporate Ct., Holtsville, NY 11742 - If you live in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, or Wyoming, mail it to: Fresno Internal Revenue Service, 5045 E Butler Avenue, Fresno, CA 93888 - If you live in Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, or West Virginia, mail it to: Kansas City Internal Revenue Service, 333 W Pershing Rd., Kansas City, MO 64108 - If you live in Alabama, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, or Tennessee, mail it to: Memphis Internal Revenue Service, 5333 Getwell Rd., Memphis, TN 38118 - If you live in District of Columbia, Idaho, Illinois, Pennsylvania, or Rhode Island, mail it to: Philadelphia Internal Revenue Service, 2970 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19104 - If you live in a foreign country, U.S. possession or territory, or use an APO or FPO address, or file Form 2555 or 4563, or are a dual-status alien, mail it to: Austin Internal Revenue Service, 3651 S Interregional Hwy 35, Austin, TX 78741 *If you've lost a loved one recently, our Family Survivorship Guide can help you navigate the financial decisions you'll need to make in the months ahead. Download this free guide [here](https://go.hfcu.org/survivorship).* *[![A Guide to Family Survivorship by Hanscom Federal Credit Union](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/118438/f4dd2ce2-6179-425c-ad0c-9890f7249c65.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/118438/f4dd2ce2-6179-425c-ad0c-9890f7249c65)* *Others are reading:* - [How to Protect Your Digital Identity After Your Death](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/how-to-protect-your-digital-identity-after-your-death) - [How to Liquidate an Estate](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/how-to-liquidate-an-estate) - [How to Get Your Stimulus Check Quickly](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/how-to-get-your-stimulus-check-quickly) - [Tax Season Scams: What You Need to Know](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/tax-season-scams-what-you-need-to-know) - [Scam Alert: Beware of the Fake IRS Refund Check](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/tax-scam) ** [Government](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/government), [Taxes](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/taxes), [Death](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/death) [** 3 Smart Financial Moves for Furloughed Workers ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/3-smart-financial-moves-for-furloughed-workers-1) [** How to Avoid an Auto Loan Deficiency ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/bid/149652/i-crashed-my-car-into-the-bridge-i-don-t-care-i-love-it) ### About Author ![Hanscom Federal Credit Union](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/HFCU-Profile-1000x1000.jpg) Hanscom Federal Credit Union Hanscom Federal Credit Union, a purpose-driven $1.9 billion organization based in Littleton, MA, empowers its members to achieve financial wellness. Hanscom FCU serves over 95,000 members across the country and overseas through 16 branches, over 100,000 surcharge-free ATMs, 5,000 contact centers, and a web-based branch. Related Posts [![What You Need To Know About Paying Taxes On Crypto](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/What%20You%20Need%20To%20Know%20About%20Paying%20Taxes%20On%20Crypto.png) What You Need To Know About Paying Taxes On Crypto ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-paying-taxes-on-crypto) [![Scam Alert: Avoid These COVID-19 Test Scams](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Blog%20Photos%20800%20x%20800px%20(31).jpg) Scam Alert: Avoid These COVID-19 Test Scams ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/scam-alert-avoid-these-covid-19-test-scams) [![3 Things to Know About Filing Your Taxes in 2022](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Blog%20Photos%20800%20x%20800px%20(23).jpg) 3 Things to Know About Filing Your Taxes in 2022 ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/3-things-to-know-about-filing-your-taxes-in-2022) ** - [**](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://go.hfcu.org/blog/what-to-do-with-a-stimulus-check-for-a-deceased-family-member/) - [**](https://X.com/share?url=https://go.hfcu.org/blog/what-to-do-with-a-stimulus-check-for-a-deceased-family-member/) - [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://go.hfcu.org/blog/what-to-do-with-a-stimulus-check-for-a-deceased-family-member/&summary=&source=CeBIT) ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ### Comment ### Subscribe To Blog ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### contact **Hanscom Federal Credit Union** 1610 Eglin St. Hanscom AFB, MA 01731 Call us: [800-656-4328](tel:8006564328) [https://www.hfcu.org/](https://www.hfcu.org/) ### About Us [The MoneyWisdom Blog](https://www.hfcu.org/the-moneywisdom-blog.html) ### Social ** ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** ### https://www.facebook.com/HanscomFederalCreditUnion The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** ### https://X.com/HanscomFCU The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** ### https://www.instagram.com/hanscomfcu/ The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** ### https://www.linkedin.com/company/hanscomfcu/ The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** ### http://www.youtube.com/c/HanscomFederalCreditUnion The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ### Popular Posts [What You Need to Know About Putting Your Home in a Trust](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-putting-your-home-in-a-trust) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202022-02-10T072804.753.jpg) [What You Need to Know About Your Federal Tax Bracket](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-your-tax-bracket) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202021-03-22T123305.900.jpg) [6 Boat Types to Get on the Water](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/6-boat-types-to-get-on-the-water) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/images/Jet_Ski.jpg) [23 Organizations Dedicated to the Needs of Seniors](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/23-organizations-dedicated-to-the-needs-of-seniors) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Senior%20citizens.jpg) [9 Smart Moves for Lottery Winners](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/lottery) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/images/lottery_winner.jpg) ### Recent Posts - [![National Credit Union Administration](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NCUA-logo-small.png?width=95&name=NCUA-logo-small.png) ](https://www.ncua.gov/) [![Equal Housing Lender](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/EHL-logo-small.png?width=65&name=EHL-logo-small.png)](https://www.hud.gov/fairhousing) - @ 2023 [Hanscom Federal Credit Union](https://www.hfcu.org/) - Federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration. - [Privacy Policy](https://www.hfcu.org/content/docs/Privacy_Notice.pdf) **Disclosure:** Hanscom Federal Credit Union does not provide and is not responsible for any products, services, or overall website content available at any third-party sites linked within this blog. Moreover, Hanscom Federal Credit Union's privacy policies do not apply to any of the linked websites within this blog. Please consult the privacy disclosures on those linked sites for further information. ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Hanscom Federal Credit Union" }, "dateModified" : "May 29, 2020, 1:14:35 PM", "datePublished" : "2020-05-29 13:14:35", "description" : "Some Americans are receiving stimulus checks intended for taxpayers who are no longer living. Here's what you should do with those checks.", "headline" : "What to Do With a Stimulus Check for a Deceased Family Member", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/118438/Untitled%20design%20%2887%29.jpg" }, "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://go.hfcu.org/blog/what-to-do-with-a-stimulus-check-for-a-deceased-family-member", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/118438/Logo%202.jpg" }, "name" : "Hanscom Federal Credit Union" } } ```