WASHINGTON — Seniors receiving Social Security who don’t normally file tax returns will not have to do so to receive Economic Impact Payments of up to $1,200, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service announced Wednesday night.

These people will automatically receive the payments, which are part of a $2.2 trillion package Congress passed and the president signed to rescue the U.S. economy ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Social Security recipients who are not typically required to file a tax return do not need to take an action, and will receive their payment directly to their bank account,” Secretary Steven Mnuchin said.

Northern New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, cheered this development Thursday, calling it “critical news for my district.” She had publicly objected Wednesday to the IRS’s guidance early this week saying those who do not normally file tax returns would have to file simplified returns this year so their payments could be processed.

“I’m honored to represent the North Country, one of the largest constituencies of seniors in the country, and thousands of seniors across my district do not file tax returns because their main source of income is Social Security,” she said. “I’m grateful to U.S. Treasury for reversing this policy, as filing tax returns is an often confusing and intensive process. It’s important that North Country seniors know they will soon be receiving their stimulus checks during this challenging and unprecedented crisis.”