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Many low-income and homeless Utahns qualify for a $1,200 government relief payment. Here’s how to get it.

(Eric Gay | AP file photo) This April 23, 2020, file photo shows President Donald J. Trump's name printed on a stimulus check issued by the IRS to help combat the adverse economic effects of the new coronavirus outbreak in San Antonio.

Homeless and low-income Utahns, who are especially vulnerable to the novel coronavirus pandemic, are eligible for an Economic Impact Payment from the federal government regardless of whether they file taxes.

“The IRS is working hard to find new ways for people who don’t have a filing requirement to receive their Economic Impact Payment,” IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said in a news release. “The Non-Filers tool is an easy way people can register for these payments.”

Low-income Utahns can register for their payment by using the nonfilers tool on the IRS website. The tool will ask for basic information like your Social Security number, name, address, and dependents.

The IRS uses this information to confirm your eligibility, and will use your bank account information to deposit the payment. If you don’t have a bank account you can receive payment by mail.

Utahtaxhelp.org has a helpline for those who need it, can’t get their questions answered or don’t have a computer. The number is 1-800-568-9397. Utahtaxhelp is a program of the Comunity Action Partnership of Utah.

The nonfilers tool on the IRS website applies to married couples with incomes below $24,400 or single people with incomes below $12,200, including individuals experiencing homelessness. Utahns can qualify even if they don’t work.

“The IRS doesn’t know who many of these people are since they normally don’t file,” the agency said. “So, the only way to get the Economic Impact Payment is to register with the IRS.”

However, anyone claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer is not eligible.

The IRS also recently released a Spanish language version of the tool to help more Americans get their money quickly and easily. “This is part of a wider effort to reach underserved communities,” Rettig said.

Married couples who qualify usually receive a $2,400 payment while single individuals usually qualify for $1,200. Utahns with dependents under 17 can get up to an additional $500 for each child.

The nonfilers tool can also help families that receive certain government benefits get extra payment for their dependents.

But there are several groups that should not use the nonfilers tool, said an IRS news release, including anyone who has already filed either a 2018 or 2019 tax return or who needs to file a tax return for these years.

This includes Utahns who file a return to claim tax benefits like the Earned Income Tax Credit for low and moderate income workers and working families. Students and people who file a tax return only to receive a refund of withheld taxes should also not use this tool.

For more information, visit irs.gov/coronavirus.