Stimulus Checks 2025: If you missed out on a COVID-era stimulus check, there’s still a chance to get paid — even in 2025. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), some Americans remain eligible to claim delayed or unissued Economic Impact Payments (EIPs), better known as stimulus checks.
These payments, originally distributed in 2020 and 2021 to support individuals during the height of the pandemic, can still be accessed by qualifying individuals through the Recovery Rebate Credit. However, the window to act is quickly closing.
Who Is Still Eligible for a Stimulus Check in 2025?
The IRS confirms that several groups may still qualify for retroactive stimulus payments, especially if their financial or filing situation has recently changed. You may be eligible if:
- You never filed a tax return for 2020 or 2021 but met the income and eligibility criteria.
- You recently filed your 2020 or 2021 return for the first time.
- You were incorrectly claimed as a dependent in a previous year but now file independently.
- You experienced a drop in income or other life changes that make you retroactively eligible.
If any of the above apply, the IRS recommends filing or amending your tax return and claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit to receive your overdue stimulus funds.
How Much Could You Still Receive?
Depending on which round(s) of payments you missed, you could 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)
Note: The final amount depends on your income, filing status, and number of qualifying dependents.
How to Claim a Missing Stimulus Payment
To receive any overdue stimulus checks, eligible individuals must:
- File or amend their 2020 and/or 2021 federal tax return
- Use IRS Form 1040 or 1040-SR and complete the Recovery Rebate Credit worksheet
- Include accurate income and dependent information
Even if you don’t normally file taxes due to low income, submitting a return is essential to receive any missing payment.
Deadlines and Processing Time
- The filing deadline for 2020 returns was May 17, 2024 — now closed.
- The filing deadline for 2021 returns was April 15, 2025 — also passed.
However, if you filed before the deadline and claimed the credit, the IRS says it typically processes these claims within 6 to 12 weeks. Payments will be issued by direct deposit if your banking info is on file, or by paper check otherwise.
What To Do Next
If you believe you’re eligible but haven’t received your payments:
- Request an IRS account transcript to check if a stimulus check was ever issued.
- Consult a tax preparer or free IRS help services to understand your options.
- Monitor your IRS online account for updates on any pending credits or payments.