In the last few years, the U.S. Government launched various financial support programs to help citizens during tough economic times. One of the most well-known was the stimulus check program, which helped millions of families during the COVID-19 crisis.
Among all the payments made, the third stimulus check—worth up to $1,400 per person—was one of the biggest. Even though this payment was approved in 2021, many people never received it. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has confirmed that over 1 million Americans may still be eligible to claim this money.
The good news? There’s still time to get it. But you must act before the deadline: April 15, 2025.
Who Can Still Claim the $1,400 Stimulus Check?
You may qualify for the stimulus check if you didn’t receive the third payment in 2021. This could have happened for several reasons:
- You didn’t file a 2021 tax return, thinking you weren’t required to
- You didn’t know you were eligible for the check
- You filed a return but forgot to apply for the Recovery Rebate Credit
The key to getting the payment now is the Recovery Rebate Credit. If you missed it in 2021, you can still apply by filing or updating your 2021 tax return.
Even though it’s now 2025, the IRS allows late filing for 2021 returns until April 15, 2025. After that, you will permanently lose your right to claim this money.
What If You Already Filed but Didn’t Claim the Credit?
Some people did file their 2021 return but didn’t include the Recovery Rebate Credit. If this is your case, don’t worry—you may still receive your payment automatically.
The IRS has said that it will start sending automatic payments from January 2025 for those who qualify and have valid bank account details or mailing addresses on file.
If you’re unsure whether you’re in this group, it’s a good idea to check your tax records or contact the IRS to confirm your situation.
How to Apply for the $1,400 Stimulus Check Now
If you didn’t receive your stimulus payment and haven’t filed a 2021 return yet, here’s what you need to do:
- File your 2021 tax return immediately
- On the return, fill out Line 30, which is for the Recovery Rebate Credit
- Submit it electronically or by mail before April 15, 2025
- Wait for the IRS to process it and send your payment
You can file on your own or seek free help at local community centers or through programs like VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance).
Even if you had no income or earned very little in 2021, you may still qualify for the full $1,400 payment. Plus, if you had dependents in 2021, you could get even more.
If you or someone you know never received the third stimulus payment in 2021, now is the time to act. Over a million people still qualify for the $1,400 Recovery Rebate Credit, but the deadline to file your 2021 tax return is April 15, 2025.
It doesn’t matter if you didn’t apply earlier—you can still get your money. Take a few minutes to check your eligibility, file your return, and secure the payment you are legally entitled to.
