There’s some good news on the financial front. A new round of stimulus payments—worth up to $1,390—has been confirmed, and millions of Americans may still be eligible to receive it. If you think you missed out on pandemic-era relief, this might be your chance to claim the money you’re owed.
So, what’s this all about—and more importantly, are you eligible?
What Is the $1,390 Stimulus Payment?
This payment is tied to the Recovery Rebate Credit, which is basically a second chance for people who didn’t get the full amount (or any amount) from the third round of Economic Impact Payments that went out back in 2021.
The IRS is giving folks until April 18, 2025, to file a 2021 tax return and claim any missing funds. And yes, for some, that missing piece could be as much as $1,390.
Who Can Get It?
Here’s the general breakdown of who qualifies:
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If you filed a 2021 tax return—or are planning to—you’re already on the right track.
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Your adjusted gross income (AGI) needs to be:
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$75,000 or less if you’re single
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$150,000 or less for married couples filing jointly
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$112,500 or less for heads of household
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You need to have a valid Social Security number
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You must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or a qualifying resident alien
If all of this checks out and you didn’t receive the full third stimulus payment, there’s a solid chance you’re eligible.
How Do You Get the Money?
No need to jump through hoops. If you’re eligible, the IRS will send the payment either through direct deposit or by mailing a check—depending on what details they have from your 2021 tax return.
Already filed but didn’t get anything? You might want to double-check your return or use the IRS’s “Where’s My Refund?” or “Get My Payment” tools to see if anything was issued or flagged.
What If You Didn’t File in 2021?
Here’s the important part: you have to file a 2021 tax return in order to get this money, even if you normally don’t file taxes.
The final deadline is April 18, 2025. After that, the window closes for good, and the payment goes unclaimed.
So, if you missed filing for whatever reason—confusion, life stuff, assuming you didn’t qualify—it’s not too late yet. But time is ticking.
Bonus Tip: You Might Be Eligible for Other Refunds Too
While you’re filing your 2021 taxes, it’s worth checking if you’re also eligible for things like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), especially if you’re a low to moderate-income worker or family. You could potentially get back even more than just the stimulus check.
In Summary
The $1,390 stimulus payment isn’t part of a new program—it’s part of a cleanup effort to make sure everyone got what they were supposed to during the height of the COVID relief period.
If you missed out in 2021, you might still have a chance to claim what’s yours—but only if you act before the April 18, 2025 deadline.
It’s a one-time opportunity to get back money that could really help. So don’t wait too long to look into it.
