Thousands of Americans still haven’t received stimulus checks they qualify for. If you’re missing a payment in 2025, here’s how to check your eligibility and claim what you’re owed.
Who still qualifies for a stimulus check in 2025?
The IRS has confirmed that more than $1 billion in unclaimed stimulus money is still available. Individuals may be eligible if they:
- Didn’t file a tax return in a past stimulus year
- Changed addresses or bank accounts
- Were claimed incorrectly as dependents
- Earned less than the income thresholds but were missed by automated systems
Many qualifying individuals include low-income households, retirees, and people experiencing homelessness.
How to check your status
The IRS recommends taking the following steps to verify whether you’re owed a payment:
- Visit IRS.gov and use the Get My Payment tool
- Review your 2020, 2021, and 2022 tax returns
- Look for IRS Notice 1444, 1444-B, or 1444-C, which confirm issued checks
- Contact the IRS if payment was issued but never received
How to claim a missing payment in 2025
If you’re owed a payment, you must file a Recovery Rebate Credit on your federal income tax return. This is the only way to legally claim a missing stimulus check.
Steps to claim:
- File a 2024 tax return using IRS Free File or a trusted provider
- Indicate the amount of stimulus you received vs. what you were owed
- Submit your return before the standard tax deadline (typically mid-April)
The IRS will adjust your refund to include the unpaid stimulus.
Avoid these common mistakes
- Filing too early before reconciling your prior payments
- Using outdated bank account info
- Failing to report identity theft if your check was stolen
Bottom line
If you’re missing a stimulus check in 2025, act now. Filing your tax return with the Recovery Rebate Credit is the fastest way to get paid. The IRS will not reissue checks automatically.
For the latest updates, visit irs.gov/coronavirus.
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