Even in 2025, some Americans are still eligible to receive delayed or unclaimed IRS stimulus checks—known officially as Economic Impact Payments (EIPs). These payments were originally issued during the COVID-19 pandemic, but several categories of individuals remain eligible through tax adjustments and credit claims.
Who is still eligible for a stimulus check in 2025?
The IRS has confirmed that some taxpayers may still receive payments if they:
- Never filed a return for 2020 or 2021 but were eligible
- Recently filed a 2020 or 2021 return for the first time
- Were claimed incorrectly as dependents but now qualify independently
- Experienced income changes that now qualify them retroactively
These individuals may be able to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their most recent return.
How to claim a missing or late stimulus payment
To claim any of the three past stimulus checks, you must:
- File or amend your 2020 and/or 2021 federal tax return
- Use Form 1040 or 1040-SR and fill in the Recovery Rebate Credit worksheet
- Include accurate income and dependent information
Even if you’re not typically required to file taxes (e.g., due to low income), submitting a return is the only way to trigger an overdue payment.
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How much money could you receive?
Depending on what you missed, you could still receive:
- Up to $1,200 from the first round (March 2020)
- Up to $600 from the second round (December 2020)
- Up to $1,400 from the third round (March 2021)
Amounts are reduced for higher incomes and ineligibility due to dependent or residency status.
Deadline to file
There is still time—but the window is closing. According to the IRS:
- 2020 return deadline was May 17, 2024 (already passed)
- 2021 return deadline was April 15, 2025 (already passed)
If you’re unsure, you can request a transcript from the IRS to verify whether past payments were issued in your name.
What happens next?
If you’re eligible, the IRS says it typically processes late Recovery Rebate Credit claims within 6 to 12 weeks. Payments are issued via direct deposit if banking details are on file, or by paper check.
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