Millions of Americans faced financial hardship during the pandemic and relied on stimulus checks, or impact payments as they were sometimes called, to get by.

But many missed out on these impact payments.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has confirmed that many eligible taxpayers have not yet claimed their stimulus relief money.

That is why they stepped in and mailed out checks to their rightful owners.

So long as certain conditions were met!

Who is Getting Unclaimed Stimulus Checks from the Government?

The government issued three rounds of Economic Impact Payments, also known as stimulus checks, during the pandemic.

The first two checks arrived in 2020.

The third stimulus payment was distributed in 2021.

Eligibility for these stimulus payments largely depended on income.

Most people below a certain income limit qualified for the full amount.

These special payments phased out for higher earners.

Dependents also factored into payment amounts.

How to Get Your Stimulus Payment?

Taxpayers don’t need to take any action to get their payments.

The IRS will automatically send them out in December, and most people will have received them by late January.

Payments were either direct deposited into the bank account listed on the taxpayer’s 2023 tax return or mailed as a paper check to their address on file.

The IRS says people who didn’t file taxes in 2021 may still qualify for stimulus checks.

To claim the payment or any other refunds, they need to file their tax returns by April 15, 2025.

April 15th Has Passed, What’s Next?

Many people missed their chance to claim the $1,400 stimulus check connected to 2021 tax filings.

That opportunity officially ended on April 15, 2025.

The IRS allowed a three-year period from the original deadline to file and collect any refunds or tax credits tied to that year.

Once the cutoff passed, any unclaimed payments—whether stimulus-related or not—were basically given up by the rightful recipients and returned to the U.S. Treasury.

Even though this deadline has come and gone, there are still other ways to access helpful financial support.

If you’ve filed your taxes for recent years, you may still qualify for valuable tax credits.

Programs like the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Child Tax Credit can provide meaningful refunds, even for those who don’t owe taxes.

How Much are These Stimulus Checks Worth?

The stimulus amount is shy of $2,000.

To be exact, the amount of the stimulus checks that went out was $1,400.

Overall there are over $2 billion worth of unclaimed credits!

So that’s a lot of Americans who still needed to get their share.

Where are These Unclaimed Stimulus Payments Coming From?

Several reasons exist why some eligible persons may not have received their economic impact payment.

Address changes are a significant factor.

Banking issues could have prevented some individuals from receiving their checks.

Not all payments were direct deposited.

Some were mailed as paper checks or debit cards.

These may have been lost or stolen.

Tax return issues could also mess with payment.

How Filing Your Taxes Could Mean Even More Free Money Besides Stimulus Payments

Filing your taxes doesn’t just unlock unclaimed stimulus payments—it could also lead to other valuable tax credits, even if you don’t owe anything.

For individuals and families with certain income levels, filing taxes can make them eligible for credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Child Tax Credit (CTC).

These credits can provide thousands of dollars to households like $7,830 from the EITC or $2,000 per child from the CTC!

Which means an increase in your refund, putting more money in your pocket.

Many people skip filing because they assume they don’t owe taxes, but doing so could mean missing out on free money that they’re entitled to receive.

The IRS encourages everyone, even those with no tax liability, to file a return and claim these credits if they qualify.

IRS Fresh Start Program Can Help Too

If you haven’t filed your taxes due to issues like unpaid tax debt, fear of penalties, or difficulty setting up payment arrangements, the IRS Fresh Start Program might be able to help.

This initiative is designed to assist taxpayers by reducing penalties, avoiding tax liens, and setting up affordable payment plans.

It offers a way to get back on track with your taxes, which could make you eligible for unclaimed stimulus payments and valuable tax credits.

The program provides a fresh opportunity to resolve past tax issues and take advantage of financial relief you might have missed.

Bottom Line

Stimulus payments helped millions during the pandemic, but not everyone got what they were owed.

The IRS gave people time to claim these funds—until April 15, 2025.

That deadline has now passed.

If you missed it, the $1,400 payment is no longer available.

The money goes back to the government and won’t be sent out later. But there’s still hope for other help.

You may still qualify for tax credits like the EITC or CTC.

These can add thousands to your refund, even if you don’t owe taxes.

Filing your return is the first step.

Some people avoid filing because they’re worried about tax debt.

The IRS Fresh Start Program offers help with penalties and payment plans.

It can make catching up easier.