stimulus payment FAQs

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

Stimulus payment updates

The third round of stimulus payments we’ve received from the federal government are available for most. We know stimulus funds are essential to many, and it can be challenging to get answers, especially if you didn't receive payment right away. IRS.gov/coronavirus and IRS.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment are two resources to help get answers about qualification, available payment options and payment status.

Use our most popular digital services to manage your account and check your stimulus payment

Set up online & mobile banking

Check on your accounts anytime, anywhere with online banking. Getting a direct deposit stimulus check? Easily view all transactions to see when your stimulus check is deposited. Getting a paper check? Use our Snap Deposit tool to deposit your check without ever having to leave home. 

Sign up for mobile alerts

Set it up and forget it. With account alerts, you never have to wonder what your money is doing. Set up account alerts to get notified by secure message, text message, email, phone call, or a notification through the mobile app. You can get instructions for setting up mobile alerts here.

Sign up for text banking

Just text us. After you set up text banking within our app or online banking, all it takes is a text message and within seconds you can know your account balance and if a direct deposit has hit your account. If you sign up for text banking now, when the new stimulus legislation passes you can check your account without logging into online banking. It's easy. Watch our how-to video.

Frequently asked questions

First Financial Bank doesn’t know how much your specific stimulus payment will be. 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 mobile app. You can also set up mobile alerts to receive notifications on account activity, including stimulus direct deposits.

Timing of checks depends on the way you receive your funds. If the IRS has your direct deposit information on file, the beginning date for the funds to show in your "Available Balance" is expected to be Wednesday, March 17, as directed by the government. Please note, the expected date is not certain, and you should rely upon what your “Available Balance” shows on that date.

If the IRS doesn’t have direct deposit information, you’ll receive a prepaid card or a paper check. Your payment should arrive in the coming weeks. To easily and quickly deposit your paper check, download First Financial Bank's mobile app for iOS or Android.

First Financial Bank doesn’t have insight on the timeline for the IRS sending checks or prepaid cards.

If you used your First Financial Bank account on your most recent tax return or if you signed up your First Financial Bank account for direct deposit for the stimulus payment issued earlier in 2020, your stimulus payment should 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, you should receive your payment through another means.

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.

You will be able to access the stimulus payment funds as soon as they are showing in your “Available Balance” in online banking. Funds are anticipated to appear in your "Available Balance" beginning Wednesday, March 17, as directed by the government. Please note, the anticipated date is not certain, and you should rely upon what your “Available Balance” shows on that date.

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

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 timing of paper checks is still to be determined. We will share more information when 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. 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"

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

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 use any First Financial ATM or ITM.

Download on iOS
Download on Android

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, submit a secure message online, or call your local banking center.

If you have a question on the amount of your check, when it will be sent, or other questions, please reach out to the IRS. 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.

We have programs that can help. If you are experiencing hardship, please email ccdearlyintervention@bankatfirst.com or call 800.556.2014 for assistance.

3 COVID-19 scams you should know about

Now that round 3 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 - 5:00 PM EST Saturday.

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.

Information accurate as of 05/17/2021.

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