Before you get your check:
- Enroll in Online Banking and download the HomeStreet Bank mobile app, so you can check your transactions and see your stimulus payment in your account. For step-by-step instructions on downloading the mobile app, see our instruction guide.
- Learn how to use the remote deposit feature on our app so you can deposit checks from your phone without leaving your house. Instructions can be found here.
Depositing your stimulus check:
If your check isn't directly deposited into your HomeStreet checking account, HomeStreet Bank customers can deposit their stimulus check a few different ways:
- Snap a picture of the check and use our mobile banking app to deposit it into your account. See instructions here for how to do a remote deposit.
- Use a HomeStreet deposit-taking ATM.
- Visit a HomeStreet branch drive-through Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.
- Use a HomeStreet branch night depository.
- Schedule an appointment to visit a branch. Find your nearest branch information here.
How the IRS can help:
- Please visit the IRS FAQ page for the most up-to-date answers to your questions, including who is eligible for a check and how will the IRS know where to send payment.
- To check on your payment status and your payment type, visit the IRS Get My Payment web tool.
- If you are a taxpayer that isn't obligated to file a return, the IRS has a web tool that will allow you to get your stimulus check. Please visit the web tool here.
How HomeStreet Bank can help:
How will I receive my payment?
If you're eligible to receive a payment, you may receive the funds in one of these ways:
- By automatic deposit into the bank account reflected or reported on your 2019 or 2018 tax return. The deposit appears in your account summary as "IRS TREAS 310 XXTAXEIP2," or something similar.
- By paper check. If you did not file a tax return or have not given the IRS your direct deposit account information in the last 2 years, you may receive a US Treasury check.
- By prepaid card. Instead of receiving a paper check, some customers will receive a prepaid card in the mail.
You can check on the status of your stimulus payment using the IRS' Get My Payment tool.
It's important to note the IRS has announced that some people eligible for a stimulus payment may not receive an automatic deposit, check, or prepaid card, and instead will need to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2020 Tax Return. For more information, see the IRS website.
When will I see the payment in my HomeStreet account?
The US Treasury has indicated that payments will be distributed in multiple phases, and not everyone will receive funds at the same time. We post the direct deposits on the effective dates specified by the IRS and US Treasury. Paper checks have started to be mailed on December 30, 2020, and we expect prepaid debit cards to begin mailing in early January.
You can check on the status of your stimulus payment using the IRS' Get My Payment tool.
What if the account I previously used to receive my IRS tax refund is now closed?
If you're eligible for a payment, and the account the US Treasury directed your payment to was closed on the date the funds were received, HomeStreet Bank has returned the funds to the US Treasury and they may redirect funds to you via check to the address they have on file for you. Because of government-imposed stimulus deadlines, you may need to request the stimulus funds as part of your 2020 federal income tax filing.
The method and timing of payment is dependent on the US Treasury, and other options for delivery of these funds have not been provided. According to the IRS, the Get My Payment tool will be updated to reflect the date your payment will be mailed. Once a payment is mailed, the IRS reports it may take up to 14 days for you to receive it.
What if I used a tax preparer to file my taxes?
If you used a tax preparer and your tax refund was directed to them, it is possible your relief payment also went there. You will need to contact your tax preparer for more information.
Can I cash a stimulus check through HomeStreet if I'm not a HomeStreet customer?
We only deposit or cash checks for existing customers. You can open a HomeStreet checking account online or in a branch (via appointment).
How can I help protect myself from fraud?
Scammers are attempting to cash in on the government stimulus package by texting, emailing, and calling people claiming to have a relief check available. In some cases, the scammer asks for personal information, including bank account information and social security numbers. If you receive a suspicious email or text message, don’t respond, click on links, or open attachments. Please know that we won’t ask for your PIN, access code, or online banking password.
The IRS offers more details about scams related to government relief checks here.
Should I visit a branch or call for additional information?
Our bankers in the branches and call centers will not have access to your individual status of whether you will receive a check, or where your payment is in process.
Due to social distancing and the upcoming stimulus payments, wait times in branches may increase. We encourage you to use the HomeStreet Bank mobile app and/or our ATMs as a first coice for accessing account information or making deposits.
What else is HomeStreet doing in response to COVID-19?
Visit our COVID-19 information center for the most up-to-date branch and banking information and loan assistance options.