What stimulus payments exist right now
There is no active federal stimulus payment program running at this moment. The last major federal stimulus round ended in 2021, when the IRS sent the third Economic Impact Payment (the $1,400 check). No new federal stimulus has been authorized since then.
However, some states have run their own stimulus or relief programs using state budget surpluses or federal pandemic funds. These vary widely by state and year. A few states have sent one-time payments to residents or specific groups — for example, some sent payments to workers who lost income during lockdowns, or to families with children. These programs are not active everywhere and most have already closed.
The only way to know if your state has an active program is to check your state revenue or treasury department website directly, or to call your state tax office. No national list stays current because programs start and end on different schedules.
Key Takeaways
- No federal stimulus payment program is currently active; the last one ended in 2021.
- Some states have run their own one-time payments, but these are not available in all states and most have already closed.
- To learn about your state has an active program, contact your state revenue department or check your state's official website.
- If you received a stimulus payment in the past and it was incorrect, you may be able to claim the difference on your next tax return.
How to check if you received a past stimulus payment
If you are trying to confirm whether you got a stimulus payment that was sent in 2020 or 2021, the IRS has a tool called "Get My Payment" that shows the status and delivery method of all three Economic Impact Payments. You can access it on the IRS website by searching for "Get My Payment" or going directly to irs.gov.
The tool will tell you whether each payment was mailed as a check, sent by direct deposit, or issued as a debit card. If you received a payment but never cashed or deposited it, you can still claim it. If the amount was wrong — for example, if you had a child born in 2020 and did not receive the extra $500 per child — you can claim the difference when you file your 2020 or 2021 tax return.
Keep in mind that the Get My Payment tool only covers the three federal stimulus rounds from 2020 and 2021. It does not show state payments or any payments issued after 2021.
What to do if you never received a stimulus payment you were owed
If you were owed a stimulus payment but never received it, or if the amount was incomplete, you can claim it on your tax return for the year the payment should have been sent. The IRS allows you to claim the full amount you were owed, even if you received part of it or none of it.
To claim a missing or incomplete stimulus payment, you will need to file a tax return for that year (even if you normally do not file) or amend a return you already filed. On the return, you will report the stimulus payment as a credit. If you file on paper, use Form 1040 and Schedule 3. If you use tax software, it will walk you through the questions and calculate the amount automatically.
The IRS processes amended returns more slowly than original returns — usually 8 to 12 weeks for a refund. If you are claiming a large missing payment, consider filing by mail with a copy of your Get My Payment records attached, so the IRS has proof of what you were owed.
State stimulus programs that have closed
Several states ran stimulus or relief programs between 2020 and 2023 that are no longer open. These included California's Golden State Stimulus (which sent payments to low-income residents and mixed-status families), Colorado's rebate program, and various worker relief funds in states like New York and Illinois. If you lived in one of these states during the program period and believe you were owed a payment, contact that state's revenue department to ask whether you can still claim it on a state return or whether a claims period is still open.
Some states allow late claims for missed payments if you can show you were owed one. Others have closed claims entirely. The only way to know is to reach out directly to the state agency that ran the program — usually the state department of revenue or the governor's office of economic recovery.
How to track down a lost or undeposited stimulus check
If you received a physical check but lost it, or if it was sent to an old address, you have options. First, use the Get My Payment tool to confirm the check was issued and see the mailing address. If the address is wrong, the check may have been returned to the IRS.
If the check was returned or you never received it, you can request a replacement by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the year of the payment ready. The IRS can issue a replacement check or direct deposit, though the process takes 4 to 6 weeks. If you prefer not to call, you can file Form 3911 (Application for Taxpayer Assistance Order) by mail, though this is slower.
If you received a debit card instead of a check and lost it, contact the card issuer (the bank name is printed on the card). They can issue a replacement or transfer the balance to a new card. If you never activated the card and it expired, you can still claim the amount on your tax return.
Scams and false claims about stimulus payments
Be cautious of websites, text messages, or calls claiming to help you "recover" a stimulus payment or claiming there is a new stimulus round you have not heard about. The IRS does not initiate contact by phone, email, or text to tell you about a payment. If someone contacts you about a stimulus payment, it is almost certainly a scam.
Legitimate information about stimulus payments comes only from irs.gov, your state revenue department's official website, or official IRS phone lines (1-800-829-1040). Do not give your Social Security number, bank account, or tax information to anyone who contacts you first.
If you see a website claiming there is a new federal stimulus round or that you can "recover" missing payments through their service, report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will there be another federal stimulus payment?
Congress has not authorized a new federal stimulus payment since 2021. Any new round would require a new law passed by Congress and signed by the President. There is no current proposal or timeline for another federal stimulus payment.
Can I claim a stimulus payment I never received on my taxes?
Yes. If you were owed a stimulus payment but never received it, or received less than you were owed, you can claim the difference as a credit on your tax return for the year the payment was issued. You can file an amended return if you already filed, or include it on a new return if you have not filed yet.
What if I received a stimulus payment but I was not supposed to?
The IRS has not pursued repayment of stimulus payments sent in error to most people. If you received a payment you believe you were not owed, you do not need to repay it unless the IRS contacts you directly. Do not respond to unsolicited calls or emails claiming you owe money back.
How do I know if my state has a stimulus program?
Contact your state's department of revenue or treasury directly, or visit the state's official website and search for "stimulus" or "relief payment." You can also call your state tax office and ask whether any one-time payments are currently being sent to residents.
Can I get a replacement stimulus check if I lost mine?
Yes. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with your Social Security number and filing status ready. They can issue a replacement check or arrange a direct deposit. The process takes 4 to 6 weeks. You can also file Form 3911 by mail if you prefer not to call.