What happens if my stimulus check never appears? Here’s what you can do

If you’re worried your stimulus check hasn’t arrived yet, take heart. Although the IRS has sent over 152 million checks, there are still millions to go. It may be that your check is simply taking its time. It could be that it’s actually delayed for one of these 10 common reasons. However, if you think your payment has slipped through the cracks, we might be able to help with some information — including how to contact the IRS if your check never appears.

The first of the economic relief checks were sent in mid-April, about a month and a half ago. If that seems like a long wait for you to get your money, we recommend visiting the IRS’ online tool designed to track the status of a 2020 payment. Generally, it should tell you about when your check will be processed and how you’ll receive it (e.g., as a paper check in the mail). But if this Get My Payment portal isn’t giving you information you understand or said your check is on the way and you haven’t received it, you may need to eventually report the discrepancy to the IRS. 

Here, we’ll go through some possible scenarios that could apply to you. This story updates frequently with new information. If you’re seeking additional personal finance information, we have suggestions for how to spend the stimulus money, how the coronavirus may affect your rent payment and other ways to get financial relief
during the pandemic.

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Stimulus Checks Helpline

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Are you eligible for a stimulus check?

Before you go any further, just double-check that you meet one of these qualifications for a stimulus payment. The numbers below are based on your 2018 or 2019 taxes (whichever you filed most recently). Specifically, you’ll need to know your AGI, or adjusted gross income, which you can find on your most recent 1040 federal tax form. For more questions about eligibility, like if you don’t normally file taxes, we recommend looking at our guide to the stimulus check.

You’re eligible to receive a stimulus check if:

• You are a single US resident and have an AGI under $99,000.
• You file as the head of a household (considered unmarried with at least one dependent) and earn less than $146,500.
• You file jointly without children and earn under $198,000.
• You are the parent of a child aged 16 or younger.

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You get a ‘Need More Information’ message from the IRS Get My Payment tool

If you checked the IRS’ Get My Payment tool weeks ago and it gave you a payment date but you’ve still not received your money, the IRS may need more information for you. Check the Get My Payment tool again, and if it reports “Need More Information” the IRS said your check has been returned because the post office was unable to deliver it.

After you see the “Need More Information” message the online tool will let you enter your bank account information to receive your payment straight to your bank account. The IRS said If you don’t provide your bank account information, it will hold your payment till it receives a currrent mailing address. Head to the IRS change-address page for how to update your address with the IRS.

The IRS is waiting for you to file a form

If you filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return or receive government benefits, the IRS should automatically send your check without you having to do anything. 

If, however, you’re a US citizen or permanent resident, had a gross income in 2019 under $12,200 — or $24,400 as a married couple — and didn’t file a return for 2018 or 2019, you may need to give the IRS a bit of information before it can process your payment. Head to the Non-Filers site and see if the IRS needs something from you.

The IRS sent you a confirmation letter, but you haven’t received your check

A handful of CNET readers report the IRS sent them a letter confirming their payment but they’ve not received their check. 

“Last week I got a letter in the mail saying that I received my payment. But, no, I have not,” a CNET reader reported after receiving the confirmation letter the IRS sends out 15 days after it sends the payment. 

We asked the IRS how it will handle payments it reports have been sent but that people say are missing, and will update this story with the agency’s response.

The Get My Payment portal won’t give you an update on your check status

Some people continue to get payment status error messages in the Get My Payment tool and a group has started an online petition asking the IRS for help. On the group’s Facebook page, commenters report on the variety of possible reasons for the delay. 

One person said the IRS told her her payment was under a 60-day review because of a problem with her direct deposit information. Another said the IRS told them their social security number doesn’t match its records. The IRS has not responded to our questions about these possible errors and what information you should have onhand before you contact the IRS.

The IRS sent your check to a closed account 

Your check may have bounced back to the IRS if it tried to send your payment to a now-closed bank account or to a temporary prepaid debit card a tax preparer set up for you. If your payment was returned to the IRS, the agency will mail your check to the current address it has on file for you.

You accidentally threw it away

Four million people will receive their stimulus money on a prepaid debit card called the Economic Impact Payment Card instead of a paper check. The EIP Card arrives in a plain envelope, the IRS said, with “Money Network Cardholder Services” as the sender. 

Some people, taking it for junk mail, may have mistakenly thrown these letters away. If you’ve misplaced or thrown away your card, the EIP Card service has an FAQ on what to do if your card is lost or stolen.  

The federal government intercepted your payment

If you owe child support, the IRS can redirect your payment to cover past-due support. The Bureau of the Fiscal Service will send you a notice if this happens.

You didn’t get the full amount you are owed

A different, but related, issue could be a change in your income in 2020. In some cases, the IRS may owe you more money than you received if the income figure it used to calculate your payment from your tax returns in 2018 or 2019 is less in 2020. 

Likewise, if you now have a new dependent, such as a child, who is not reflected on your tax returns, you may be owed more money. In either case, the IRS said you can claim the additional amount on your 2020 tax return when you file next year. We recommend keeping a detailed record so you don’t forget.

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Someone stole it from your mailbox or otherwise defrauded you

While it’s uncommon, you may believe you’ve been scammed out of your payment or had it stolen. The Federal Trade Commission has a website where you can report a stolen stimulus check. We’ve asked the IRS what other recourse you have if this situation applies to you.

How to contact the IRS

Within 15 days after it sends out your payment, the IRS will mail you a letter confirming the payment. At the bottom of the letter is a number you can call for more information: (800) 919-9835.

Earlier this month, the IRS added 3,500 telephone representatives to help with potential problems regarding payments. The IRS help number is (800) 829-1040.

If you do reach out to the IRS over the phone, it’s a good idea to give yourself plenty of time for the call. We wouldn’t be surprised if call volumes are up, or if conversations take some time. It’s also a smart idea to gather your information in front of you, like a copy of your most recent tax ID and the letter that the IRS sent, if you received one. 

We’ve reached out to the IRS for more information about how to prepare for a call to a representative.

As you work to find the status of your money, here’s what we know about a second round of stimulus checks, how best to use your stimulus check and how to avoid scams
that target coronavirus fears.