With financial stress lingering for millions of Americans, social media has once again exploded with viral claims of new federal stimulus checks — ranging from $1,390 to $5,000. But how many of these headlines are real?
Here’s a full fact check of the latest stimulus chatter and a breakdown of who is actually getting paid in August.
$1,700 checks are real — but only for one state
Residents of Alaska will receive a $1,702 payment through the state’s Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) program. This isn’t a federal stimulus, but an annual distribution of oil revenue that’s been paid to qualifying Alaskans since 1982.
To receive the 2025 PFD payment, you must:
- Be a resident of Alaska for at least 12 months
- Intend to stay in the state
- Not have been incarcerated or convicted recently
- Have applied by March 31, 2025
Payments began in June and will continue into August. The next payout date is August 21 for those marked “Eligible-Unpaid” by August 13.
Fact Check: True, but state-specific. Only Alaskans who met strict criteria and deadlines are eligible.
Federal stimulus check rumors: No, you’re not getting $2,000
Numerous fake posts on Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube claim a new round of federal stimulus payments is being rolled out to all Americans. Some even cite President Trump as the source or mention so-called “DOGE checks” tied to government savings.
These posts are false.
- No new federal stimulus has been approved by Congress, the IRS, or the Treasury Department.
- There is no confirmed plan for $1,390, $2,000, or $5,000 stimulus checks.
- DOGE checks, a proposed “dividend” based on government savings, have not passed any legislative hurdle. The U.S. House is currently on recess until September.
Some scams even prompt users to call a fake 1-800 number and enter the last four digits of their Social Security number — leading to spam or fraud.
Fact Check: False. No federal stimulus checks are approved or being sent.
Reminder: Past federal stimulus programs ended in 2021–2023
The last federal Economic Impact Payment (EIP) came during the COVID-19 pandemic, under the Biden administration. Those three rounds included:
- $1,200 (March 2020)
- $600 (December 2020)
- $1,400 (March 2021)
Eligible taxpayers had until April 15, 2025, to claim unreceived payments as part of the Recovery Rebate Credit. That deadline has now passed.
Fact Check: True, but expired. Some Americans missed out, but it’s too late to claim now.
How to avoid stimulus scams
Disinformation often mimics real news, using AI-generated layouts or screenshots of fabricated news conferences. To stay safe:
- Visit official sites only — like irs.gov
- Avoid clicking suspicious links from non-.gov websites
- Never give personal data to unsolicited texts, emails, or phone numbers
- Call IRS refund hotlines directly:
- 800-829-1954 (current year refunds)
- 866-464-2050 (amended returns)
If a headline seems too good to be true — it probably is.
What to watch for next
While federal stimulus is off the table for now, some states continue offering localized relief:
- Alaska – $1,702 through PFD in August
- California, New Mexico, and others may issue targeted rebates later this year
- Proposed federal programs like “Trump Accounts” and DOGE savings dividends remain conceptual, not approved
Always verify announcements through IRS.gov, your state’s revenue department, or SSA.gov if Social Security is involved.
Key takeaways
- $1,702 stimulus payments are real — but only for qualified Alaskans
- No new federal checks are approved, including the rumored $2,000 or DOGE checks
- Watch out for scams impersonating news outlets or requesting personal data
- Check your refund status via IRS tools or phone lines, not social media links
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