The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently released an article about the second round of stimulus payments. As a reminder, the FTC has stated that the newest $600 payment is for the individual who qualifies, NOT for the place they reside.

After the first payments were received in 2020, there were several reports that nursing facilities were trying to take residents’ payments, especially those on Medicaid. Lois Greisman, Elder Justice Coordinator with the FTC writes, “If you qualify for a payment, it’s yours to keep. If a loved one qualifies and lives in a nursing home or assisted living facility, it’s theirs to keep. The facility may not put their hands on it, or require somebody to sign it over to them. Even if that somebody is on Medicaid.”

If a care community is trying to keep your or your loved one’s Economic Impact Payment, please report to your state’s attorney general and report to the FTC at http://www.reportfraud.ftc.gov/.

Source: consumer.ftc.gov