Is it necessary to file taxes to receive Covid distribution. (My SS pension is not enough to require filing taxes.)

If you are referring to the stimulus payment, then yes if you haven’t received the stimulus payments then you will have to file a return to possibly qualify for the Recovery Rebate Credit.

The Recovery Rebate credit for the third stimulus payment is claimed on the 2021 return. The Recovery Rebate Credit for the first and second stimulus payments is claimed on the 2020 tax return (please see How do I prepare a 2020 tax return?).

 To claim the Recovery Rebate Credit in TurboTax, please follow these steps:

1. After entering all your information click "Search" at the top right and type "Stimulus".
2.  Follow the jump to link (if you do not qualify for the Recovery Rebate Credit the stimulus questions will not come up). 
3. On the screen "Let's double-check the amount you received" you will be asked about the amount of third stimulus payment you received. TurboTax will then calculate the amount of stimulus payment remaining that you are still entitled to get. 
4. Any stimulus amount remaining due to you will show as The Recovery Rebate Credit on line 30 of Form 1040. 

Please see What are the eligibility rules for the Recovery Rebate Credit? for additional information.

If you are referring to the stimulus payment, then yes if you haven’t received the stimulus payments then you will have to file a return to possibly qualify for the Recovery Rebate Credit.

The Recovery Rebate credit for the third stimulus payment is claimed on the 2021 return. The Recovery Rebate Credit for the first and second stimulus payments is claimed on the 2020 tax return (please see How do I prepare a 2020 tax return?).

 To claim the Recovery Rebate Credit in TurboTax, please follow these steps:

1. After entering all your information click "Search" at the top right and type "Stimulus".
2.  Follow the jump to link (if you do not qualify for the Recovery Rebate Credit the stimulus questions will not come up). 
3. On the screen "Let's double-check the amount you received" you will be asked about the amount of third stimulus payment you received. TurboTax will then calculate the amount of stimulus payment remaining that you are still entitled to get. 
4. Any stimulus amount remaining due to you will show as The Recovery Rebate Credit on line 30 of Form 1040. 

Please see What are the eligibility rules for the Recovery Rebate Credit? for additional information.