Message for U.S. Citizens
August 4, 2020
Updated Economic Impact Payments (EIP) Delivery Options
The U.S. Embassy in Quito has received several Economic Impact Payments, also known as “stimulus checks,” authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), for recipients residing in Ecuador.
If you received notification from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) indicating an Economic Impact Payment was mailed to your last known address in Ecuador, please contact us via email at FBUQuito@state.gov to confirm whether we have received your check. Please be sure to include “EIP” in the subject line. If you have not received notification from the IRS but believe you may be entitled to this payment, visit the IRS website at https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment. Follow the steps under “Check on the status of your Economic Impact Payment” by clicking the “Get My Payment” button.
Please verify that your check has been mailed by going to https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment. If the IRS has mailed your check, please keep in mind that the transit time can be more than 60 days. If more than 60 days has passed since the check was scheduled to be mailed, please contact us again with a screenshot of the IRS website stating that your check has been mailed more than 60 days ago.
If the website indicates a payment status of “deposited,” check with your financial institution to determine whether the payment has indeed been credited to your account.
If you get a Payment Status Not Available notification, please check for more information on the IRS website:
- https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment-frequently-asked-questions#paymentnot
- https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center#eligibility
For all other questions, including eligibility criteria, visit the Economic Impact Payment Information Center for the IRS at https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center#eligibility
Options for retrieving your Economic Impact Payment
In Person:
The U.S. Embassy in Quito and the U.S. Consulate in Guayaquil are limited in their ability to use local mail services during the pandemic. For the safety of all customers, in-person check pick-up is available by appointment only. Please contact FBUQuito@state.gov to arrange a pickup time. Given the nature of the correspondence, it may not be picked up by third parties unless they have a valid power of attorney.
Courier:
As an alternative, the recipient can pre-pay with a private courier and send the pre-paid envelope to the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate for us to forward the correspondence. You may use any courier you would like to request this service.
For more information, please visit our website: https://ec.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/correspondence-to-u-s-citizens/. DHL is one company that provides the service. More detailed information about pre-paying with DHL is available on our website. We will continue to update as additional options become available.
Choose Direct Deposit for Federal Benefits
The federal government strongly encourages federal benefit recipients to choose direct deposit. Federal Regulation 31 CFR Part 208 requires individuals who are physically in the United States to convert federal benefit paper checks to direct deposit in most circumstances. Direct deposit is the safest, cheapest, and most reliable method of receiving your benefits. The payment is electronically transmitted to your bank account and you have access to your funds, eliminating the risk of missing or stolen checks. The United States Department of the Treasury does not charge fees to make deposits. Ecuadorian banks may charge fees.
If you are still receiving physical checks, switch to direct deposit by contacting your corresponding federal agency for assistance. General information, as well details specific to COVID-19, for federal agencies is available as follows:
- Social Security Administration: https://www.ssa.gov/coronavirus/
- U.S. Department of the Treasury: https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/cares
- Internal Revenue Service: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus-tax-relief-and-economic-impact-payments
Also, consider selecting this option when filing your annual tax return, in order to expedite receipt of any refund. Information about direct deposit of tax refunds is available from the Internal Revenue Service. - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/n-coronavirus/
For VA direct deposit, complete the form at: https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-24-0296a-ARE.pdf and mail, email, or fax it to the address at the bottom of the form. - OPM benefits: You can make changes to your online retirement account at: https://www.servicesonline.opm.gov
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy Quito, Ecuador
+(593)(2) 398-5000
ACSQuito@state.gov - U.S. Consulate General Guayaquil, Ecuador
+(593)(4) 371-7000
ACSGuayaquil@state.gov - State Department – Consular Affairs
+1-888-407-4747 or +1-202-501-4444 - Ecuador Country Information
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