Skip to main content

If you don’t usually file a tax return, or didn’t file a return for 2018 or 2019, you might not know you could qualify for an economic impact payment. You might be one of the nine million people getting a letter from the IRS letting you know how to register on their website to claim your payment. The new deadline for filing is November 21, 2020.

 

If you get this letter from the IRS, it’s legit. Go only to the IRS’s real website at IRS.gov/EIP, or call them directly at 800-919-9835 to register to claim your payment. You only have until November 21. But if someone claiming to be from the IRS calls, emails, or texts about helping you get your stimulus payment, that person is running a government imposter scam on you. Hang up, and don’t respond to or click on any links in texts or emails.

 

Why? Because the IRS will not text, email, or call you about your economic impact payment. And they’ll never ask you to pay a fee to get your money.

 

Visit the IRS’s website to find out more about stimulus payments. And be sure to tell the FTC if someone pretending to be from the government contacts you.

 

Note: This blog, originally posted on September 23, 2020, has been updated with the IRS’s extended filing deadline of November 21, 2020.

 

Mzevans
January 06, 2021

In reply to by Lakretia S Steel

I'm having the same problems. Haven't received my first or second stimulas yet. No response from IRS. I'm not a dependant on anyone's taxes to my knowledge. Love to know the problem.
CJLowe
October 22, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

How long does it take to get that letter? I did the non filers online Oct. 8th and received a return accepted email with a submission ID#. Not sure what else to do to check status on payment.
Jmariemy
November 01, 2020

In reply to by CJLowe

I never received a letter telling me how to claim my first stimulus check. I went on the IRS website and used the non filers tool on my own accord. Then I received my payment like two months later. I then received a letter a month after my payment posted telling me I qualified for the payment and the date I would receive it....which was a month prior to the day I received my letter. I wouldn't wait it really on letter reaching you in time if they are coming from the IRS. Just go to the website and follow the prompts there. My question is will we have to fill out the information on the website again if there is a second package of? Or will that info be saved and used or the second payment?
Crabb77$#
November 16, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

Why iam i getting a letter.now last week i was told to to midland and talk to a person tomow about my payment do i go to the appoi t or is that a scam as well?
sam33
December 14, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

Hi. I never received a first check. I also have two children and no money has been sent to anyone for them eithor. What do I do? I’ve emailed the IRS several times. But no response
Jasmine Roman
December 15, 2020

In reply to by sam33

You’re not the only one I haven’t received a stimulus check or a letter from the irs neither my daughter received one and I’m loosing hope because of this I’m backed up with my bills and no Christmas this year :(
Yorkie3
October 09, 2020

In reply to by SisnerosA

I received a stimulus check this year do I need to re-file to get the second stimulus check?
Lisa
December 21, 2020

In reply to by Yorkie3

Can someone answer this question? If we are non filers and filled out info for the first check and relieved it ...do we need to fill out info and file again for second payment or will that come to us automatically without filing again ? Thanks
Don't lisamari…
December 23, 2020

In reply to by Yorkie3

I filled out a non filers form for this years stimulus check and I did recieve my check and I know I filled out a 2nd non filers form when I heard we may be getting another stimulus check and I know I filled out 2nd form long before the Nov deadline, my question is: how and where do I go to make sure my 2nd form had been received and everything is done and I don't need to take anymore action to receive this next stimulus check? Also, since I did already fill out the form to recieve 1st stimulus checkdid I even need to fill out a 2nd non filers form to recieve this new stimulus check?
Alice bove
December 04, 2020

In reply to by SisnerosA

Do I need to fill a none filers form for second stimulus check l got the first one
SusieQ
December 21, 2020

In reply to by SisnerosA

I received the first check but being on disability will. I get the $600.00 check also and do I need to file for the $600.00 check? Thank you
Jennifer
December 28, 2020

In reply to by SisnerosA

I filled the non filers page for the first one gave my direct deposit info and got my first stimulus direct deposited do I need to do anything for the second one
Honor
September 29, 2020
The other side to that is adults who are claimed as dependents on soemone's tax filings are not eligible for the stimulus payments, and that is as per IRS. That also means elderly people who are dependents on their children's claims do not qualify for any stimulus. This seems unfair since there are dependent adults such as the elderly, those in nursing homes et al, have needs which must be addressed also particularly in this lockdown. Note that IRS gives non-filers a hard way to go regarding stimulus payments. I recently assisted an elderly non-filing low-income neighbor in trying to determine his eligibility on the IRS website and the online experience was less than friendly. Not all things are as they appear or what is claimed to be.
San
September 23, 2020
Thank you very much for the heads-up. I had no idea and hope I'm in that number!
Ladybug 1941
September 25, 2020
Will I get it?I draw Social security
FTC Staff
September 25, 2020

In reply to by Ladybug 1941

The Social Security Administration website says the IRS already sent payments to most people who get Social Security retirement, survivors and disablity payments.  That's for people who live inside the US and started getting Social Security benefits before January of this year (2020).

The Social Security Administration website has lots of questions and answers about stimulus payments, and different questions and answers about the payment cards it sent to some people. You might have gotten a payment card instead of a deposit. Read about the payment cards on this Social Security Administration page.

Stimulus payments come from the IRS, and you can call their question line at 1-800-919-9835. The Social Security Administration can't answer  questions about your specific situation.

Brit
November 20, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

I never received a stimulus and I get survivor's benefits. They sent me a letter in september stating I qualified to apply for one under the non filers tool. I filed it today.
Jasmine Roman
December 15, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

It’s no use of calling them ! They don’t help determine about the stimulus check and why the non filers people haven’t gotten theirs yet. They waste people’s time by calling them because I tried several times and neither representative helped!
Dianngriffin1971
September 25, 2020
I'll dang sure be glad when I receive that letter then! I've been trying since March!
upcha
September 30, 2020

In reply to by Dianngriffin1971

there was a page at irs.gov you registered as a non-filer --dunno if it is still up or not. I would sure google stimulus non-filer to see.
Catherine M Adams
September 25, 2020
I did not get My first stimulus check I'm on social security
Sherried66
September 26, 2020
I don't file taxes because I'm on ss I filed on the non filers site back in March because I have custody of my 12yr old grandson I still haven't received a letter nor have I received the EIP for him.
connor6914
September 29, 2020

In reply to by Sherried66

i dont file taxes either filed in april and still havent gotten anything, it hasnt even changed from still in porccessing. i dont understand.
Bonz1479
October 14, 2020

In reply to by connor6914

Did you get your payment yet for non filers? Im just curious.
Abigail
October 17, 2020

In reply to by Sherried66

If you receive your SSN directly to your bank account the IRS should have deposited to your account otherwise mailed it. You shouldn't have to do anything.
Same boat
November 05, 2020

In reply to by Sherried66

I am in the same boat raising my grandchild, and got a check for myself the end of Mat and just received my extra $ 500 for him today . In my account. Maybe double check your filing status again and try to resend it / or / wait a bit longer, They must be playing Catch-up. Just super happy to have it
GMSilva
October 01, 2020
I put in my non filers information, submitted it, and told me that it make take 24 to 48 hours for a response. I did this during the weekend. Its already Thursday and they still havent said if Im eligible or not. Is this normal? Did I miss something? Or does this mean I didnt qualify? I go back to check my E file status and all I get is that they accepted my application and that they will see if Im eligible. So theres nothing else I can do but wait. How long does it take for them to approve you and to get it direct deposited? Sorry so many questions, it was my first time using their website.
Conscript
December 13, 2020

In reply to by GMSilva

My older sister went on social security disability late last year, she had bacterial meningitis. Lost alot of memories, she was in the same boat as all of you. Everyone close to her had receive their checks. She waited and waited... she made calls, she never got any letters, about if she was or wasn’t getting a check. My younger sister called me and asked me if we had received a check. We live in different states. It took us a long while to get our check,we were beginning to think maybe we were not getting one either. Finally it came, And about two or three weeks later the letter came saying we were getting a check. They could have saved that postage. It has only been a couple maybe three months since my sister got finally got hers.
Jy127
December 31, 2020

In reply to by GMSilva

I'm going through the same thing an i filed in may still nothing.
4233dddi
October 01, 2020
How long does it take to get in the mail once you get accepted
Missyb1779
October 08, 2020

In reply to by 4233dddi

From what my cousin told me he just looked his up, and it says being sent out tommorrow Oct 9th. Irs.gov I believe.
Devine
October 15, 2020

In reply to by Missyb1779

That’s only helpful if you know and share with us when it was he filed. Thanks for trying to help!
successpointcollege
October 04, 2020
Very useful. Thank you for sharing.
American
October 04, 2020
If a non filer received the first stimulus check, will they have to file again to get the second check ?
FTC Staff
October 08, 2020

In reply to by American

The letters are going to people who did not get any economic impact payment this year. If you got one economic impact payment, you should not get a letter. 

IDthiefvictim
October 08, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

I'm on SSI & VA Disability when I filed a non-filers app it said somebody had claimed me on their tax return but I have no idea who it was I live alone so I filed an identity thief form back in April...it's been 6 months and still haven't heard a word about it is there a number I can call to find out what happened?
Joyce
October 08, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

I never received anything as far as any money. Why not I thought everyone was suppose to get money????
mztmitch
October 08, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

The question that is being asked is if we filed for the first one and received the first check do we have to refile for the second check you keep speaking about the letter the question is we filed for the first one receive the check do we have to refile in order to get the second check
FTC Staff
October 09, 2020

In reply to by mztmitch

The IRS has information about one Economic Impact Payment at irs.gov/coronavirus, and filing deadlines for that payment. This blog is about that payment. 

Bbrown
October 08, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

Do non- filers have to do another non- filers form AGAIN if we get a second stimulus check.
Let’s get it$$
December 22, 2020

In reply to by American

I’m wondering the exact same thing . I did file a no filer form and received my check a couple of weeks later . But, just wondering with all the talk of the second round coming out soon . Does anyone know if I have to do another non filer to receive the $600 second check ?
Uriel.lewis22
October 08, 2020
I haven’t received my electronics families payment and it’s been three weeks already what’s my next step from there I’ve already called and they told me they were going to send it but I have direct deposit
Kathleen1917
October 06, 2020
I've already received my first stimulus check through the mail and I still got a letter asking if I received the stimulus check? Could this have been a mistake
Rosendo Sandoval
October 06, 2020
I never got the first Stimulus Check was wondering am I ever going to get it I could really use it