In yet another sign of how quickly what we know about the CARES Act can change, the IRS reversed guidance it had issued 1 day earlier, regarding Social Security recipients. Previously they stated that recipients must file a 'simple' tax return to access their relief check. However, after significant pushback and the expectation of process confusion, they have changed the guidance on this issue, now stating that retirees who rely on Social Security and typically do not file a return, will not have to do so.
For more on this, see the AARP's article, "Social Security Recipients to Get Stimulus Payments Without Filing Tax Returns."
And for perspective, as with most aspects of this speedily-passed law, there are concerns about neglecting underserved communities without further clarity, such as the elderly and those with disabilities who rely on Social Security or Social Security Disability income.
Read "SSI Beneficiaries Still in Limbo After Latest IRS Stimulus Check Guidance," by Special Needs Answers, for more details. This piece by From the article: "IRS news release raised additional questions. In the release, the IRS stated that in the absence of tax returns, it will rely on the information from a tax forms known as Forms SSA-1099 to automatically send checks to Social Security disability beneficiaries...The problem is that people who rely solely on SSI for income typically do not receive or fill out either of these forms."