Most individuals will receive their payment electronically. This is faster than mass distribution of paper checks.
If you filed taxes 2019 and provided on your tax return your bank routing and account number for payments or refunds, and this information has not changed, the IRS has the information it needs to send your payment electronically, with no action required on your part.
If you are a Social Security recipient, the IRS will use the direct deposit information held by the Social Security Administration. If the Direct Deposit information you have provided in the past is for a bank-issued, prepaid debit card, you will receive your funds on that card account. Individuals receiving disability benefits, railroad retirement, or veterans benefits do not need to provide additional information to receive their payments.
The IRS worked with the relevant federal agencies to access the relevant information to distribute payments in the same manner as those individuals receive their regular benefit payments (e.g., direct deposit to their bank account). Also, some individuals received a prepaid debit card from the government instead of a check; the IRS will provide more information about how it will distribute debit cards.
If an individual is a non-filer or failed to receive some, or all, of their first Economic Impact Payment, please check out the IRS website to learn more about claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit on the 2020 tax return.