January 5, 2021
Please continue to visit this page for the most up-to-date information on our response.
Economic Impact "Stimulus" Payments
As you've probably heard, the federal government's Coronavirus economic relief package includes Economic Impact Payments -- more commonly referred to as stimulus payments to most taxpayers. (To find out if you're eligible, visit IRS.gov/coronavirus or IRS.gov/EIP.)
If you're eligible, the IRS will either deposit the money directly into your bank account, send you a check, or send you a debit card.
If your 2019 tax refund was direct deposited, your payment will be deposited to the same bank account as your refund. Simply log into Online Banking or our Mobile Banking app to see the deposit in your account.
If you receive a check, you can save a trip to the bank by depositing it using Mobile Check Deposit. Just follow these easy steps:
Protect Yourself from Fraud
Where many of us see uncertainty, fraudsters see opportunity. Scammers have developed fraudulent websites, emails, and telemarketing calls to try to swindle taxpayers out of their stimulus payments. Others are trying to peddle Coronavirus-related cures, treatments, and other products. All are designed to get their hands on your money or your personal or financial information. Be vigilant and cautious!
Here are some ways to protect yourself:
To learn more about protecting yourself and sign up for consumer alerts on the latest scams related to Coronavirus, visit the Federal Trade Commission's Coronavirus page.
Who is eligible for Economic Impact Payments?
Tax filers with adjusted gross incomes of up to $75,000 for individuals and up to $150,000 for married couples filing joint returns for 2019 will receive the full payment. For filers with incomes above those amounts, the payment amount will be reduced. Recipients of Social Security, Railroad Retirement, disability, and veteran’s benefits as well as taxpayers who do not have enough earnings to typically have to file a tax return are also eligible to receive payments. For many taxpayers, payments will be made automatically with no further action required. The IRS will calculate and automatically send the Economic Impact Payment to those eligible. Eligible taxpayers who filed tax returns for 2019 will automatically receive an Economic Impact Payment of up to $600 for individuals or $1,200 for married couples plus up to $600 for each qualifying child.
How will the payments be issued?
You will receive your payment based on the manner in which you received your tax refund. If your tax refund was direct deposited, your payment will be deposited to the same bank account reflected on your tax return filed in 2019. If the direct deposit information is not current with the IRS, then you may receive your payment in a form of a check or debit card in the mail. If you received your tax refund by check, you will receive your payment by check. The U.S. Treasury Department initiated the first round of check payments on December 30th. The checks are dated for January 6th and will be honored before the date of the check. The IRS plans to mail a letter about the Economic Impact Payment to each taxpayer’s last known address within 15 days after the payment is made. The letter will provide information as to how the payment was made and how to report non-receipt of the payment.
When are Federal Economic Payments going out?
The IRS and the Treasury Department began issuing a second round of Economic Impact Payments, often referred to as stimulus payments, last week.
The direct deposit payments received by the bank for January 4th have been credited to your account. The first round of paper checks also began going out and will continue to be sent through January. Some people will be mailed debit cards in January, and the IRS urges people to carefully check their mail.
How can I verify that my payment was sent?
You may check the status of your payment using the “Get My Economic Impact Payment” portal on the IRS.gov website.
Where can I get more information?
The IRS will post all key information on IRS.gov/coronavirus and IRS.gov/EIP as soon as it becomes available.
Lobbies Closing Beginning November 27
Because of the recent increase in positive COVID-19 cases locally, and with the health and safety of our customers and employees always top of mind, bankHometown lobbies will be closed to customer traffic beginning on Friday, November 27 until further notice.
We will continue to serve you through our drive-up windows, ATMs, and electronic banking services. Our branch staff also will be available for essential in-branch services by appointment only. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause but believe this is the best way to ensure we can remain available to serve your banking needs while keeping our employees—and you—safe.
Continue to Bank Beyond the Branch
Even with our lobbies closed, we make it easy for you to stay connected to your money by offering a variety of smart banking technologies that ensure you’re able to access your accounts, pay bills, make purchases, contact a representative, and more.
Learn more here and see the chart below for all the ways you can connect with us and your funds!
Need to Visit a Branch? Request an Appointment Online
Now, you can make an appointment online if you need to visit one of our branches in person. Simply click here, then choose the branch nearest you, the service you need, and select from among the dates and times available. A branch representative will contact you to confirm your appointment.
In-Branch Personal Protection Measures
If you do visit a branch, here are some of the personal protection measures we have in place to keep you and our employees safe.
Ways to Learn More.
If you're looking for more information on the Coronavirus or ways to protect yourself, visit these websites:
The Centers for Disease Control
The World Health Organization
The Mass.gov Coronavirus Update
The Federal Trade Commission
Additional Resources.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) has recently released several resources to help consumers take steps to protect their finances during the COVID-19 pandemic, including how to avoid financial scams and submit complaints to the Bureau:
Protect yourself financially from the impact of the coronavirus
The CFPB information and resources continues for informed financial decisions
Protecting your credit during the coronavirus pandemic
Coronavirus and dealing with debt: Tips to help ease the impact
Tips for financial caregivers during the coronavirus pandemic
We're Here to Help.
Of course, if you need assistance, you can call our Customer Care team to speak with a representative at 888.307.5887. Our hours of operation are:
Monday - Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday: 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
