Learn About Unclaimed Stimulus Check Information

Understanding the Three Major Rounds of Stimulus Payments

The United States distributed three separate rounds of economic stimulus payments to residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each round had different payment amounts and reached different populations based on income and filing status. Understanding which rounds occurred and how much was sent out helps explain why some people may have received payments while others did not, and why some payments may still be unclaimed today.

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The first round of stimulus payments began in April 2020, following the CARES Act signed into law in March of that year. This initial distribution sent out approximately 159 million payments totaling roughly $290 billion. Individual filers who earned less than $75,000 annually received $1,200 per person. Married couples filing jointly with income under $150,000 received $2,400 combined. Additionally, each qualifying child under age 17 added another $500 to the payment. This first round primarily used tax return information from 2019, or 2018 returns for those who hadn't yet filed 2019 taxes.

The second stimulus round occurred in December 2020 through January 2021, authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act. This round sent out approximately 147 million payments worth about $165 billion. Payment amounts were reduced compared to the first round: $600 per adult and $600 per qualifying child. The income thresholds remained similar to the first round. The IRS used 2019 tax information again for most people, though some individuals' 2020 information became available during this distribution period.

The third and final stimulus distribution took place from March through December 2021, under the American Rescue Plan Act. This round distributed roughly 169 million payments totaling approximately $412 billion—the largest of the three rounds. Each eligible adult received $1,400, with an additional $1,400 per qualifying child. The income limits were also adjusted slightly higher than previous rounds. Notably, the IRS used 2020 tax return information primarily for this round, as it had become more widely available.

Different groups of people received payments differently across these three rounds. Those who had filed tax returns in prior years and had direct deposit information on file generally received payments via electronic transfer within days of the payment being issued. Others received physical checks by mail, which took considerably longer—sometimes weeks or months depending on postal service volume. A third group received Economic Impact Payment cards, which functioned like debit cards and could be used immediately for purchases or ATM withdrawals. Some individuals never received any stimulus payment at all, for reasons ranging from address changes to filing status changes to administrative errors.

Practical Takeaway: Knowing which stimulus round you might have received helps narrow down where unclaimed funds could exist. If you moved between 2020 and 2021, changed your filing status, or had inconsistent income reporting between tax years, there is a possibility that one or more stimulus payments may not have reached you. Each round used different tax year information and different income thresholds, so it is worth researching all three rounds separately rather than assuming you received all eligible payments.

Common Reasons Why Stimulus Payments Were Not Received

While the IRS distributed billions in stimulus funds across three rounds, millions of payments encountered obstacles that prevented recipients from actually receiving the money. Understanding what typically went wrong helps explain why certain people have unclaimed stimulus funds today. These situations were common and affected people from all walks of life, not just those in specific circumstances.

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Address changes represent one of the most frequent reasons payments did not reach recipients. The IRS relied on mailing addresses from the most recent tax returns on file. If someone moved between filing their tax return and receiving a stimulus payment, the check or debit card may have been sent to an old address. For the first stimulus round in 2020, people often were still at the address from their 2019 return. However, many individuals experienced moves during 2020 and 2021, whether due to job changes, family situations, or other life events. The IRS had no way of knowing about address changes unless people filed a new tax return or notified the Post Office. Mail forwarding services sometimes worked, but not reliably for government checks.

Changes in filing status also created complications. Someone who filed as a single filer in 2019 might have married before the first stimulus payment issued, meaning their spouse would not have been included in calculations based on 2019 data. Similarly, people who were dependents in 2019 but became independent filers in 2020 faced mismatches in the IRS systems. The IRS would have had no record of the change unless updated tax documents were filed. In some cases, divorced individuals had confusion about which spouse received certain payments, or had issues where payments were sent but the recipient had changed.

Banking information changes caused many direct deposits to fail. The IRS used banking details from prior tax returns, where people had set up direct deposit for their refunds. However, people frequently changed banks, closed accounts, or switched to different financial institutions between tax years. When the IRS attempted to electronically deposit stimulus funds into old account numbers, banks would reject the transactions. The rejection process took time, and some payments never reached people because the IRS records of account information were outdated. In some situations, people had closed accounts thinking they would not receive refunds, only to find that stimulus payments were rejected when the IRS tried to deposit them.

Some people had not filed tax returns for years prior to the stimulus period, meaning the IRS had very limited information about them. Without a recent tax return on file, the IRS had to work with outdated or incomplete information about income and family status. Additionally, people with income so low it did not require tax filing were sometimes overlooked in initial distributions, though the IRS did attempt outreach to this group for later rounds.

Identity theft and fraud complications affected another subset of recipients. In some cases, other people filed tax returns using someone's Social Security number, claiming stimulus payments fraudulently. When the legitimate owner tried to claim stimulus funds, disputes arose that took considerable time to resolve. The IRS had to investigate which person was actually entitled to the funds, and during this process, legitimate recipients did not receive payments.

Incarcerated individuals presented another category. Federal law prohibited stimulus payments to incarcerated people. However, the IRS systems sometimes sent payments to people who had become incarcerated after filing their return but before the stimulus was issued. Corrections facilities often sent these payments back to the IRS, and the funds went unclaimed because the prisoner could not access them.

Practical Takeaway: If you moved, changed banks, got married, or had any significant life changes between your 2019 tax return and the end of 2021, there is a real possibility that one or more stimulus payments encountered problems reaching you. Even people who received some stimulus money may have missed one or two rounds due to these types of situations. Reviewing which round or rounds might have been affected by your specific circumstances can help focus a search for unclaimed funds.

Official Government Resources for Locating Unclaimed Stimulus Information

The IRS and other government agencies have created specific tools and resources that allow people to search for information about stimulus payments they may not have received. These resources are free and operated directly by government agencies, making them the most reliable places to start when looking for unclaimed stimulus funds. Understanding how to navigate these resources can yield concrete information about whether stimulus payments were issued in your name.

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The IRS "Get My Payment" tool represents the primary government resource for stimulus payment information. Originally launched during the first stimulus round, this online tool allows people to enter their Social Security number, date of birth, and address to retrieve information about stimulus payments issued to them. The tool displays the payment amount, the method it was sent (direct deposit, check, or card), and the address or account where it was directed. For the first and second stimulus rounds, the tool remains accessible through the IRS website and can still provide historical payment information. A person can use this tool to confirm which stimulus payments were issued in their name and how they were supposedly delivered. If the tool shows a payment was issued but the person never received it, that information helps narrow down where to search next.

The IRS website also provides downloadable transcripts and account information that can show stimulus payment details. A person can create an account on IRS.gov to view their transcript online, which includes information about payments the IRS made on their behalf, including stimulus payments. This transcript shows the exact date each payment was issued and helps confirm whether all three stimulus rounds appear on record. For those unable or unwilling to create online accounts, the IRS will still mail paper transcripts to people who request them by mail or phone.

The Treasury Department's Bureau of the Fiscal Service operates