Millions of Americans are asking whether another stimulus check could arrive in 2025 as inflation, interest rates, and political uncertainty remain high. While speculation is spreading across social media, no official stimulus package has been approved by Congress or the White House.
Still, several developments—including recent comments from former President Donald Trump and ongoing state-level relief efforts—have fueled public interest in a fourth round of direct payments.
What did Trump say about a stimulus check?
In February 2025, former President Trump suggested at a campaign event that he would support a $5,000 “DOGE stimulus dividend” if re-elected. The proposal, tied to his support of cryptocurrency, has not been formally introduced in Congress or backed by any legislation.
As of May 2025, no concrete policy details or payment timelines have been released.
What is Congress doing?
There is no federal stimulus package pending in the House or Senate. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have acknowledged economic pressure on working families, but there’s no consensus around issuing new direct payments.
The most recent federal stimulus checks were sent during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, totaling three rounds of payments. The last opportunity to claim missing payments—via the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit—ended on April 15, 2025.
Are any states sending stimulus-style checks?
Yes. While the federal government has not approved new stimulus checks, several states are offering their own relief payments in 2025. These are often called “inflation relief” or “tax rebates” and vary by state:
- New York: Sending checks between $150 and $400 to qualifying households.
- California: Issued Middle Class Tax Refunds in late 2024; no new payments confirmed for 2025.
- Colorado: Providing TABOR refunds to residents who filed 2024 returns on time.
- Georgia, South Carolina, and Idaho also continue to issue periodic rebate payments tied to state surpluses.
Eligibility for these payments depends on residency, income limits, and state tax filing status.
How to avoid stimulus scams in 2025
With no confirmed federal checks coming, scammers are exploiting confusion with fake texts, emails, and websites promising “fast-tracked” payments or crypto-based stimulus. The IRS has issued warnings to avoid:
- Clicking links claiming you qualify for a “fourth stimulus check”
- Paying any fee to access relief payments
- Sharing your Social Security number on non-.gov sites
Always verify updates directly at irs.gov.
What to expect next
There is currently no confirmed fourth stimulus check for 2025. However, future payments could be proposed depending on the outcome of the 2025 election cycle, economic indicators, or emergency legislation.
For now, Americans should monitor state programs and ensure their federal tax filings are up to date to remain eligible for any future aid.
This content is brought to you by the FingerLakes1.com Team. Support our mission by visiting www.patreon.com/fl1 or learn how you send us your local content here.