RESIDENTS WHO RECEIVE STIMULUS CHECKS FOR DECEASED RELATIVES SHOULD “CHECK THE BOX” AND SEND THEM BACK, FREEHOLDER VICARI SAID

TOMS RIVER – Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari said some county residents are receiving federal COVID-19 stimulus checks made out to dead relatives.

“The suddenness of the coronavirus outbreak and the federal government’s quick action to bolster the economy and assist residents means that in some cases checks have mistakenly been issued to deceased residents,” Vicari said.

Recently Vicari himself received a check made out to a late relative, who passed away more than two years ago.

“Please do not attempt to cash these checks,” Vicari said. “Instead, simply check the box on the envelope you received and place it back into the mailbox. The check will then be automatically returned to the Treasury Department.”

In recent press interviews, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said relatives and estates of dead people who received checks should return the money.

The federal government mailed out more than 89 million checks in the first three weeks of the program. Overall, more than 150 million checks were mailed.

“With those kind of numbers some mistakes are bound to be made,” Vicari said.

Federal officials and President Donald Trump have said checks issued to the deceased need to be returned.

“Do the right thing,” Vicari said. “Check the box and return the check.”

The federal stimulus program has been especially important to Ocean County, where nearly 30 percent of the population is age 60 or older.

“In these very difficult times, both our seniors and our younger families are depending on these checks to help make ends meet,” he said.