You Might Still Qualify for a $1,400 Stimulus Check—Here’s How to Claim It!

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the US government issued three rounds of “Economic Impact Payments” (commonly called stimulus checks) to provide economic relief to millions of people. The third and last of these payments came in spring 2021, with individual filers receiving up to $1,400 and married couples filing jointly receiving up to $2,800. A family of four could receive a maximum payment of $5,600.

While these payments were intended to provide relief, the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) reports that about 1.1 million people still haven’t received their $1,400 stimulus check for 2021. Now the question is—are you one of those people? And can you still claim it?

Why didn’t some people get their stimulus checks?

The IRS says many people did not file a tax return in 2021 or filled in incorrect information in the Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC) column. Some people filled in “$0” or left it blank. Such people were later sent a refund through their bank account or mail, but those whose returns were not submitted did not receive this check.

If you have not filed a 2021 tax return, then according to the rules of the IRS, you are given 3 years to file a return and claim your refund or stimulus payment. This means that the last date for filing a 2021 return was April 15, 2025. If you did not file by then, then this opportunity is over now.

Who was eligible for this $1,400 check?

The $1,400 stimulus check was issued under the 2021 “American Rescue Plan Act,” and eligibility was based on your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).

• Single filers: If your 2021 AGI was $75,000 or less, you were eligible for the full $1,400. The amount is phased out completely at $80,000.
• Married couples filing jointly: $2,800 if AGI was up to $150,000, and nothing after $160,000.
• Dependents: There was also $1,400 for each dependent, regardless of age.

Who got an automatic payment in 2025?

The IRS issued the Recovery Rebate Credit in January 2025 to people who filed incorrect or incomplete tax returns in 2021. They were paid via paper check or direct deposit. The IRS pulled bank account information from 2023 returns. But people who didn’t file a 2021 tax return at all had until April 15, 2025—that’s now over.

How much money still hasn’t arrived?

According to the IRS, more than $1 billion in stimulus money didn’t reach people in 2021. Those who were eligible for these funds missed out on an average refund of about $781. In addition, many low- or middle-income people also missed out on the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which could have been up to $6,728.

State-wise data: How much money was owed where?

Below are the figures for some of the major states where the most people were eligible for refunds:

State	Impacted Residents	Average Refund	Total Estimated Refund
California	116,300	$600	$92.3 million
Texas	102,200	$810	$94.7 million
New York	73,000	$995	$72.4 million
Florida	69,800	$732	$61 million

It is clear from this that millions of dollars are still not reaching thousands of Americans because they either did not file returns or mistakenly did not provide information for the Recovery Rebate Credit.

What to do if you haven’t claimed yet?

If you filed your 2021 tax return but filled out the Recovery Rebate Credit incorrectly, it is possible that you received a check from the IRS in January 2025. But if you did not file a tax return at all, unfortunately you are no longer eligible for this amount because the deadline was April 15, 2025.

Conclusion: A lesson and a warning

The $1,400 stimulus check was not only a means of economic relief, but it also served as a lesson in how important tax filing is. Many people have lost thousands of dollars due to not providing the correct information on time.

If the government announces any relief scheme again in the coming years, make sure that you submit all the required documents on time and file the tax return correctly. Even if your income is zero in a year, filing a tax return can be beneficial for you.

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