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US Government Stimulus Cheque payment - how to bank?

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Hello All,
I have been trying to find a way to pay in a physical cheque (check) I have received as a US citizen from the US government (COVID stimulus payment). Lucky me, but I can't find a bank which will accept it. I have looked into opening a USD account here, but I don't meet the earnings/ deposit requirements. I already have a Transferwise account but you can't pay physical cheques into those. I have tried endorsing it to a family member in the US who offered to pay it in and wire me the money, but banks are specifically not allowed to accept endorsements on these cheques (which we didn't know until she tried to pay it in), so she is returning it to me. I  think my only option is to tell the IRS the cheque has been lost in the post, ask them to cancel, and re-issue as an electronic payment, but there's no easy way to do this (it involves being on hold to the IRS for possibly days on a non-free number), so before I do all that I wanted to check the brilliant MSE brain bank to see if there is another option. The Co-Op Bank suggested I take it to a currency exchange shop and get them to exchange it but I've never heard of this and can't imagine what the fees/ exchange rate would be. Any advice gratefully received! Thanks

Comments

  • LittleVoice
    LittleVoice Posts: 8,974 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Are you eligible for this payment if you are not going to be in the US to spend it there (otherwise you would have an account into which you could have it paid)?
  • Discomikey
    Discomikey Posts: 11 Forumite
    Second Anniversary First Post
    Most of the main high st banks (i know Barclays definately do) will accept foreign cheque deposits but will usually have to send the cheque away for payment which can take several weeks as they have to get the funds from the foreign bank
  • jonesMUFCforever
    jonesMUFCforever Posts: 28,898 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    They will accept cheques from CUSTOMERS not someone who walks into a bank enquiring about cashing a USD cheque.
    I think post 2 is very valid - a US citizen would have a US bank account.
    For now I will give the very inexperienced poster the benefit that this is not a wind up.
  • born_again
    born_again Posts: 20,580 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Name Dropper
    They will accept cheques from CUSTOMERS not someone who walks into a bank enquiring about cashing a USD cheque.
    I think post 2 is very valid - a US citizen would have a US bank account.
    For now I will give the very inexperienced poster the benefit that this is not a wind up.
    Not so sure as a well know U-Tube blogger got one. They have lived in Ireland & Uk for well over 10 years, so no ties to the USA (bank acc etc). Seems they messed up and just sent any old American citizen the cheques... Including quite a few dead ones....
    Life in the slow lane
  • COIAHLGW
    COIAHLGW Posts: 140 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 3 July 2020 at 9:28PM
    You could ask the IRS about the possibilities of receiving one of the debit cards instead that were issued - check out this article here:  https://brighttax.com/blog/americans-abroad-receive-stimulus-payment-prepaid-debit-card/

    Edit:  Check out http://www.allpointnetwork.com for locations where the card issuer will not add an additional fee for cash machine withdrawals if you do end up receiving one.
  • hoc
    hoc Posts: 588 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 500 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Are you eligible for this payment if you are not going to be in the US to spend it there (otherwise you would have an account into which you could have it paid)?
    There is no need to spend it in the US or spend it at all.
    I think post 2 is very valid - a US citizen would have a US bank account.
    You mean resident not citizen. Neither this nor post 2 are valid. Expats are eligible. The condition to receive is dependent on income bands, it is no different for those residing outside US.



  • LittleVoice
    LittleVoice Posts: 8,974 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Was there a need to have paid tax in recent year?  Knowing how the US collects tax from non-residents then this might be a condition which was met.
  • hoc
    hoc Posts: 588 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 500 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    No. Even those without income are eligible, the long term unemployed or even homeless can claim. Having an SSN which is equivalent to our NI is the only true requirement. A recent tax record is the primary but not only list triggering the cheque or bank payment if known to IRS, the equivalent of our HMRC. A tax record is only relevant to ineligibility if income is above a certain level. You should remove your thanks above as it is propagating misinformation.

    As for the original question I recommend Barclays for processing of US cheques. They charge lowest fees on small amounts and process fastest on bigger amounts. They are better than other big banks like Lloyds and what smaller banks will use anyway behind the scenes. Opening a basic account with Barclays is best option unless already banking with a US origin bank like Citi.
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