Gibbons urges Nevadans to check stimulus status

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Jim Gibbons is encouraging all Nevadans, but particularly seniors and disabled veterans, to examine their potential eligibility for federal economic stimulus checks before a key deadline passes.

More than 43,000 Nevadans receiving benefits from Social Security or Veterans Affairs who are eligible for federal economic stimulus checks still haven't received them, according to data from the Internal Revenue Service.

Under the stimulus legislation, the IRS calculates eligibility for a stimulus check once an individual files an income tax return. However, recipients of certain Social Security or VA benefits aren't required to file tax returns because their benefits aren't taxable.

These individuals must file tax returns before Oct. 15 in order to receive their stimulus checks.

"Nearly 30 percent of Nevadans receiving Social Security or disability benefits from the Veterans Administration have not received the economic stimulus check they're entitled to," Gibbons said. "At a conservative estimate of $300 per claimant, that's nearly $13 million in payments for Nevadans."

Stimulus checks are not counted as taxable income and do not affect eligibility for other benefits from state agencies, Gibbons said.

"There's no reason for people not to file," he said.