Many Americans benefited from government stimulus checks during tough times, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. These payments helped families cover daily expenses, pay bills, and get back on their feet. But not everyone received the third stimulus check, which was worth up to $1,400 per person and approved in 2021.
The good news? It’s not too late to claim it. If you didn’t get the payment, the IRS is still allowing people to apply for it—but only until April 15, 2025. More than one million people could still be eligible, and the money is waiting. Here’s everything you need to know.
Who Can Still Claim the $1,400 Stimulus Check?
The main condition is simple: you never received the third stimulus payment. This could be due to several reasons. Maybe you didn’t file taxes in 2021 because you weren’t required to. Maybe you didn’t know about the payment. Or perhaps you filed your return, but missed the box for the Recovery Rebate Credit, which is how the IRS processes missed payments.
There are two main groups of people who can still get the money:
1. Those who never filed a 2021 tax return: Even if your income was too low to require filing, the IRS needs that tax return to process the payment. You can still file a late 2021 return and claim the money using the Recovery Rebate Credit. The deadline is April 15, 2025.
2. Those who filed a return but didn’t claim the credit: In this case, the IRS may automatically send your payment starting in January 2025, as long as they have your correct mailing address or bank information. But if your contact details are outdated, you may need to take action to ensure you receive the check.
How Much Can You Get?
You can receive up to $1,400 per eligible person in your household. That means if you had dependents in 2021—like children or elderly family members—you could receive additional money for them as well. This is money you are legally entitled to, and there’s still time to get it.
What You Need to Do to Claim It
If you never filed your 2021 tax return:
- File it now using tax software or by visiting a local tax preparation site.
- Be sure to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on the return.
- You can file the return yourself or get help from a free IRS-authorized community center.
- If approved, the IRS will process your claim and send the payment, either by mail or direct deposit.
If you already filed but missed the credit:
- Check the IRS website or your tax return to see if the credit was included.
- Make sure your mailing address or bank account details are up to date with the IRS.
- You may not need to do anything else if you qualify; the IRS may send your payment automatically in early 2025.
Don’t Miss the Deadline
The key point is this: April 15, 2025, is the final deadline to file your 2021 return and claim the money. After that date, you will lose the chance to get the $1,400 check, even if you were eligible.