Over the last few years, the United States Government has set up various economic help programs to support millions of families facing difficult situations. One of the most important was the sending of stimulus checks, which were delivered in different phases and which, for many people, provided real relief. However, not all citizens got this money. Whether due to lack of information, administrative problems or simply because they had not filed their tax returns, the truth is that thousands of people never collected this payment.
Among this help, the third stimulus check stands out, of up to $1,400 per person, approved in 2021. Although several years have passed since then, the money is still available for those who have not claimed it. Surprisingly, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) estimates that more than one million people are still entitled to this payment. And the good news is that there is still time to apply for it.
The important thing now is not to miss the opportunity. If you or someone you know did not receive this check, there is a way to get it back. But you have to act before the deadline, which has already been set. At this point, it is essential to know who can claim the money, how to do it, and until when the application can be submitted.
Who can claim the $1,400 stimulus check
The most important requirement is not to have gotten the third stimulus payment when it was due. This may have happened for various reasons: some people did not file their tax returns in 2021 because they were not obliged to, while others were simply unaware that they were eligible for the check. There are even those who filed their returns but did not check the box to apply for the Recovery Credit.
This credit is the key to getting the money back. If you never applied for it, you can do so now through your 2021 tax return. And no, it doesn’t matter if it’s already 2025: the IRS allows you to file late returns for that year until April 15, 2025. After that date, the right to get the money disappears and there will be no way to claim it.
Another important group is made up of those who did file their 2021 return, but did not include the credit application. In these cases, the IRS plans to automatically send the corresponding payments starting in January 2025, as long as it has a valid address or bank account on file to deposit the money into. If this is not your case, it is a good idea to review your situation as soon as possible.
What to do to request the payment and get it on time
The safest way to claim the check is to file your 2021 tax return as soon as possible, if you haven’t already done so. You don’t need to have a high income to do so. In fact, many of the people who can access this payment are those with low incomes or no income at all, who didn’t know they were entitled to the check.
You can prepare your return on your own or get free help at authorized community centers. Once submitted, the IRS will review your case and, if you meet the requirements, will issue the corresponding payment. This can be up to $1,400 per person, and can even include your dependents if you had them in your care in 2021.
In this sense, there is still time to get money that you are legally entitled to. It doesn’t matter if you didn’t ask for it at the time. The important thing is to act now. You have until April 2025 to submit the necessary documentation and get your stimulus check. Don’t miss out: it’s your money, and you can still get it.
