How to Claim Unclaimed Stimulus Funds in a Few Simple Steps

If you missed a stimulus payment or valuable tax credit during the pandemic, you’re not alone. Millions of Americans may still be eligible for unclaimed stimulus funds, recovery payments, or expanded tax credits — but many haven’t yet taken the steps to collect them.

Even if you were denied before or didn’t qualify at the time, you may now be eligible. These opportunities are still open, but deadlines are quickly approaching, so acting now is essential.

💵 What You Could Still Claim

1. Recovery Rebate Credit (Unpaid Stimulus Payments)
If you never received one or more of your stimulus checks — or only received a partial amount — you can still claim those missing funds through the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2020 or 2021 tax return.

2. Child Tax Credit (CTC)
Families with children who didn’t receive full monthly payments in 2021 may still qualify for up to $3,600 per child in refundable credits.

3. Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
If your income dropped during the pandemic, you may now qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, even if you weren’t eligible before. This credit can add hundreds or even thousands of dollars back into your refund.

4. State Stimulus and Relief Programs
Many states also issued their own stimulus or relief payments, and some residents never received them. These programs vary by state and are often managed through state tax or treasury departments.

📋 How to Check If You’re Owed Money

Visit IRS.gov and review your account transcripts to see which stimulus payments were sent under your name.
If you didn’t file a tax return in 2020 or 2021, you can still claim missing payments by submitting a return now.
Some states also provide tools to check for unclaimed relief funds — contact your state’s Department of Revenue or Treasury for details.

⚠️ Act Before It’s Too Late

You can still recover missing federal stimulus funds, but claim windows are closing soon. The IRS links these deadlines to when your tax return is filed, so don’t delay — the sooner you act, the more likely you are to receive what you’re owed.

Don’t leave money on the table. These funds were created to help Americans recover from financial hardship — and if you qualify, they’re still yours to claim.