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Home » News » How to Claim Unclaimed Stimulus Checks in 2025

How to Claim Unclaimed Stimulus Checks in 2025

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  • Digital Team 

If you never received a pandemic-era stimulus check, you’re not alone. The IRS confirms that more than $1 billion in unclaimed stimulus payments remain available in 2025—but time is running out to claim them.

Here’s how to find out if you’re owed money and what steps to take now.

Stack of unclaimed U.S. Treasury stimulus checks on a desk at a busy IRS office in Washington, D.C., with employees working in the background.

What Counts as an Unclaimed Stimulus Payment?

Unclaimed stimulus money includes payments from the:

  • First (2020), second (2020–2021), or third (2021) Economic Impact Payment
  • Recovery Rebate Credit from 2020 or 2021
  • Payments that were sent to the wrong address or bank account
  • Payments owed to dependents not properly claimed on tax returns

In many cases, non-filers, low-income households, or those who moved frequently may have missed checks.

How Much You Could Still Receive

Amounts vary depending on your filing status, income, and dependents. Here’s a quick recap:

  • First check: Up to $1,200 per adult, $500 per child
  • Second check: Up to $600 per adult and child
  • Third check: Up to $1,400 per adult and dependent

For a family of four that didn’t file taxes, the total owed could exceed $5,000.

How to Claim Missing Payments in 2025

To claim any unreceived stimulus funds, follow these steps:

  1. File a 2020 or 2021 tax return (even if you had no income)
    • Use IRS Free File or file through a trusted tax preparer
  2. Claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on your return
    • This will trigger payment if you’re eligible and missed a check
  3. Track your refund using the “Where’s My Refund?” tool on irs.gov

Even if you don’t typically file taxes, doing so is the only way to claim these credits.

Key Deadlines to Know

  • The deadline to file for 2020 stimulus money was May 17, 2024. That window is closed.
  • You can still claim 2021 stimulus checks (Recovery Rebate Credit) until April 15, 2025.

After that date, any unclaimed money from the 2021 package will be forfeited.

What If You’re a Non-Filer?

If you earn below the federal filing threshold but missed payments, you can still file a zero-income return. This simple filing allows the IRS to process your claim and issue the rebate.

Organizations like United Way and AARP Tax-Aide may assist with free filing services for eligible households.

Bottom Line

There’s still time to recover missed stimulus payments—but the clock is ticking. File your 2021 return by April 15, 2025, to claim any unclaimed stimulus checks still owed to you.

Visit irs.gov for official guidance and free tools to get started.

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