Quick answer
No new federal stimulus checks are scheduled. The IRS has issued all three COVID-era Economic Impact Payments, and the period to claim missed ones has ended. A payment you read about in the news or on social media is not real unless Congress passes it into law and the IRS announces it on IRS.gov. Real money today comes from refundable tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit (up to $2,200 per child), unemployment benefits, and unclaimed money held by your state.
Check current payments and credits for your state
Real relief today mostly flows through tax credits and state programs.
Relief money by need
These are the real routes to money that people often hope a stimulus check will cover.
| Need | Where to start | Our guide |
|---|---|---|
| Money at tax time | File a return to claim the EITC and Child Tax Credit | Child tax credits |
| Checking a payment you saw online | IRS.gov, typed in yourself | Scam warnings |
| Money that may already be yours | Your state unclaimed property search | Unclaimed money search |
| Cash for a bill or emergency now | 211 and local charities | Hardship grants for individuals |
| Homeowner help | Housing counselor and state programs | Homeowner relief programs |
| Every major benefit in one place | USA.gov benefit finder | Government financial assistance |
Status of federal stimulus checks
- All three COVID-era payments were issued. The IRS says it has issued all first, second, and third Economic Impact Payments, and the Get My Payment tool is no longer available.
- The claim window has closed. USA.gov says the period to claim unpaid Economic Impact Payments has ended; the last chance to claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit was in April 2025.
- No new federal payment is scheduled. Proposals sometimes appear in the news, but none is a payment until Congress passes it into law and the IRS announces how it works.
Tax credits that work like a stimulus
Refundable credits can pay you even when you owe no tax. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) can be worth several thousand dollars for a working family, and the amount depends on income, filing status, and children; the IRS publishes the yearly amounts in its EITC tables. The Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,200 per qualifying child, and families with little or no tax owed may get up to $1,700 per child back as a refund (you need at least $2,500 of earned income for that part).
You must file a tax return to get these credits, even if your income is low enough that you are not required to file. IRS Free File and free VITA sites prepare returns at no cost: find a free tax help site.
Other real money: unemployment and unclaimed funds
If you lost work through no fault of your own, file for unemployment with your state; USA.gov links to every state. You may also have money waiting in your name at your state treasury, such as an old bank balance or deposit. Searching is free; our unclaimed money guide shows how. State rebates do happen from time to time, but they are set by each state, so confirm any rebate only on your state revenue department's .gov site.
How to verify any payment claim
- Federal: check IRS.gov directly, typing the address yourself.
- State: check your state revenue department's .gov site, found through USA.gov's state tax directory.
- Never click payment links in texts, emails, or social media posts, and never pay a fee to receive a government payment.
Our scam warnings guide covers current stimulus-scam patterns. If cash is tight right now, see government assistance programs and hardship relief programs.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a new federal stimulus check?
No. No new federal stimulus checks are scheduled. Any new payment would need to be passed by Congress and announced by the IRS on IRS.gov.
Can I still claim a missed COVID stimulus payment?
No. USA.gov says the period to claim unpaid Economic Impact Payments has ended. The last chance to claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit was in April 2025.
How much is the Child Tax Credit?
Up to $2,200 per qualifying child. If you owe little or no tax, the refundable part can pay up to $1,700 per child, and you need at least $2,500 of earned income to get it.
Do I have to file taxes to get the EITC?
Yes. You must file a federal tax return to claim the EITC, even if your income is below the filing requirement. IRS Free File and VITA sites can help at no cost.
How can I spot a stimulus scam?
The IRS does not send payment links by text, email, or social media, and it never charges a fee to receive a payment. Check any claim yourself on IRS.gov.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on October 25, 2026. If a source and this page ever disagree, follow the source.
This page is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an application. National Relief Program is an independent website, not a government agency. Applying for official programs is always free.
Before you apply: program rules, amounts, and deadlines change. Always confirm details with the official agency or program administrator. Applying for government benefits is free.
National Relief Program is an independent guide, not a government agency. Spotted an error? Email support@nationalreliefprogram.org.