Stimulus Payment FAQs

How to access your payment, protect your money, & more  

Stimulus payment updates

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 was recently passed by the federal government. While the new bill contains a variety of provisions related to the COVID-19 virus, it also includes Economic Impact Payments (Stimulus Payments).

The federal government has begun to issue direct deposits for the new stimulus payments for those who are eligible. Many direct deposit payments became available first week of January and will finish being delivered over the coming weeks. The amount of direct deposit will vary based on IRS criteria. For details on program eligibility visit IRS.gov/coronavirus. The IRS expects to update the information on this page over the next few days and weeks.

If you do not receive an IRS direct deposit for tax returns you may receive a paper check. The government expects to begin mailing these checks over the next few weeks.

Frequently asked questions

Many people have been wondering if they will receive another direct payment like last spring. This wave of payments will be $600 per eligible person.

  • Adults with an adjusted gross income of up to $75,000 a year on their 2019 taxes will receive the full payment, while heads of household making up to $112,500 will also receive the stimulus.
  • Adults with eligible dependent children will also receive payments for each eligible child.
  • Adults who are eligible but make more than the thresholds set by the new law will receive a reduced amount based on their total income in 2019.

For details on program eligibility visit IRS.gov/coronavirus. The IRS expects to update the information on this page over the next few days and weeks.

If enrolled in online banking, you can view direct deposits in your accounts by accessing online banking or through our automated telephone banking at 877-322-9530.

Please know that we are expecting high traffic volume due to many people receiving stimulus payments and other year-end activities. We appreciate your patience if you experience longer than average wait times or slowness with online banking. Mornings and lunchtimes are typically the busiest times for customers calling or logging on to online banking and we encourage you to try again if you have trouble accessing during these times.

You will be able to access the stimulus payment funds using your debit card as soon as they are showing in your “Available Balance” in online banking. We expect many payments to be delivered beginning the first week of January. In many cases, these funds were received by the bank with an effective date of Monday, January 4, 2021, from the government. 

We have received a large number of direct deposit payments which are in process now. You will be able to access the stimulus payment funds using your debit card as soon as they are showing in your “Available Balance” in Online Banking. We expect many payments to be delivered beginning the first week of January. In many cases, these funds were received by the bank with an effective date of Monday, January 4, 2021, from the government.

If your First Financial Bank account was utilized on your most recent tax return (2019) or if you signed up your First Financial Bank account for direct deposit for the stimulus payment issued earlier in 2020, your stimulus payment will be direct deposited to your First Financial Bank account. For those that have not provided direct deposit information, either through the IRS tool or a previously filed return (2019), you will receive your payment through another means.

We have not been made aware that the IRS has begun to mail checks to those without a direct deposit configured.

Please visit IRS.gov/coronavirus for payment details. The IRS expects to update the information on this page over the next few days and weeks.

If your First Financial Bank account was utilized on your most recent tax return (2019) or if you signed up your First Financial Bank account for direct deposit for the stimulus payment issued earlier in 2020, your stimulus payment will be direct deposited to your First Financial Bank account.

For those that have not provided direct deposit information, either through the IRS tool or a previously filed return (2019), you will receive your payment through another means. 

We have not been made aware that the IRS has begun to mail checks to those without direct deposit.

Please visit IRS.gov/coronavirus for payment details. The IRS expects to update the information on this page over the next few days and weeks.

If you recently closed your account, your stimulus payment will be returned to the IRS as account closed and the IRS will issue payment through another means.

Please visit IRS.gov/cornoravirus for payment details. The IRS expects to update the information on this page over the next few days and weeks.

The federal government has begun to mail checks to those eligible for the stimulus funds for whom it did not have direct deposit information.  It has advised that these will be mailed over the next few weeks.  We do not have any specific information on when an individual might receive the stimulus funds.  For details, you can visit IRS.gov/coronavirus. The IRS has been updating this page regularly and it includes a link to ‘check your payment status’. 

Please also know you can quickly deposit your check safely using the First Financial SNAP deposit function on our mobile app.  

  • Just open the First Financial Bank mobile app (available on iOS and Android),
  • Choose SNAP deposit.
  • Just aim and snap a photo of the front and back of your check, and you’re good to go.  
  • Learn more and watch a quick video. 

If you don’t have the First Financial Bank mobile app - all you need to do is download it to get started.

Download on iOS
Download on Android

Unfortunately we do not have access to the account information used by the IRS for stimulus payments.  The IRS has updated their website with information on this situation in the Questions and Answers section.  There is also a link to “Get My Payment” which will allow you to access your specific information.  You can access that and other information about the Economic Impact Payments at IRS.gov/coronavirus.

 

The federal government is determining the method of payment and other details, and whether that can be changed.  We do not have any input on what method of payment you receive, for details visit IRS.gov/coronavirus. The IRS expects to update the information on this page over the next few days and weeks.

The timing of paper checks being mailed is still being determined.  More information will be shared once it is available.

For the latest information visit, IRS.gov/coronavirus. The IRS expects to update the information on this page over the next few days and weeks.

You can deposit your check at one of our ATMs, at a banking center, or using mobile deposit within our app. Due to COVID-19 restrictions banking center hours may vary. For a list of hours and ATM locations, please use our banking center locator.

To make a mobile deposit, follow these instructions:

  • Login to our app
  • Choose “Snap Deposit” from the menu at the bottom of the screen
  • Choose the account you wish to deposit your check into, input the check amount, and sign the back of the check
  • Snap a picture of the front and back of the check
  • Click "Submit Deposit"

The federal government is determining the amount of your stimulus payment based on income, dependents, and other factors. It is possible to receive less than $600 based on your income. We do not have any information or input on the amount or what method of payment you receive.

For details visit IRS.gov/coronavirus. The IRS expects to update the information on this page over the next few days and weeks.

Although there is additional legislation proposed regarding additional payments, it has not yet been passed by Congress or signed into law. If that happens the legislation should provide additional details on those payments.  

Please visit IRS.gov/coronavirus for more details. The IRS expects to update the information on this page over the next few days and weeks.

Our Client First Center is happy to assist you with specific account or online banking questions during regular business hours which are Monday-Friday, 8am-8pm EST, and Saturday, from 8am-5pm EST. Please give us a call at 877.322.9530 or submit a secure message online. We are experiencing a high volume of calls so we appreciate your patience.

The federal government is determining the method of payment and other details. We do not have any input on what method of payment you receive or how much, for details visit IRS.gov/coronavirus. The IRS expects to update the information on this page over the next few days and weeks.

You can quickly deposit your check safely using the First Financial SNAP deposit function on our mobile app. 

  • Just open the First Financial Bank mobile app (available on iOS and Android),
  • Choose SNAP deposit.
  • Just aim and snap a photo of the front and back of your check, and you’re good to go.  
  • Learn more and watch a quick video. 

If you don’t have the First Financial Bank mobile app - all you need to do is download it to get started.

You may also cash or deposit the check at any First Financial Banking Center or utilize any First Financial ATM or ITM. 

Download on iOS
Download on Android

3 COVID-19 scams you should know about

Now that round 2 of stimulus payments are being distributed, scammers are reacting quickly with new techniques to trick you into handing over your money.

Paperwork scams

There is no paperwork required to receive your check, and there is no way to accelerate the amount of time it takes to receive your check other than setting up direct deposit with the IRS.

Check advance scams

Fraudsters claim you’ll get your payment faster if you pay them a fee, but in reality they don’t provide you money, or will deposit fraudulent checks into your account and will ask for funds back before the check charges back. The IRS is doing everything it can to get checks out as quickly as possible.

IRS imposters

The IRS does not communicate through email, send links to websites, or text about stimulus payments or other tax matters. It is important not to click links that you are sent via text or email. 

Fact or fiction? Stimulus payment myths debunked

Don't be misled about who is eligible for a stimulus check or how it will affect your taxes.

Myth 1. The stimulus check will be taxed.
You won’t need to pay taxes on any stimulus money you receive. This is because the stimulus check is considered a refundable tax credit. These new payments will be considered tax rebates on next year’s taxes.
Myth 2. Next year’s tax refund will be lower.
A person becomes eligible for a tax refund when they withhold too much money in their W2 relative to their tax liability. The stimulus money may be independent of any money you would receive in the form of a year-end tax refund.
Myth 3. My payment will take a long time to arrive.
If the IRS has your direct deposit information from a previous year’s tax refund, the stimulus payment earlier this year, or because you receive social security benefits, you should receive your stimulus payment to that same account. If this is not the case, you may receive a paper check in the mail or another form of payment. 

Coronavirus Hardship Relief Program

We are here to help. If you are in a hardship situation, you can reach your First Financial Bank representative in one of the following ways:

  • Call your First Financial banker at your local banking center. For a list of banking centers, hours, and phone numbers, please use our banking center locator.
  • Reach out via our dedicated COVID-19 hotline at 844.897.9563. This line is open 8:00 AM -  8:00 PM EST Monday through Friday and 8:00 AM - 5 PM EST Saturday.
  • Complete the COVID-19 Hardship Form and an associate will contact you to discuss your options.

We are working tirelessly for and with our clients. If you have already received hardship assistance and believe you may need an extension of the previous relief, please contact our Loss Mitigation Department at 800.896.7453.






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Information accurate as of 01/08/2021.

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