$1,400 Up for Grabs: Here’s Who Qualifies (And How to Get It Now)

Alright, let’s talk about that $1,400 stimulus check—the one that went out a while back during COVID. You might be wondering, “Did I miss it? Can I still get mine?” If so, you’re not alone. A lot of people are still trying to figure this out.

So here’s the real deal, no fluff.

First Off, What Was This $1,400 Check?

Back in 2021, the government rolled out the third round of stimulus payments—you probably heard it called the “$1,400 check.” It was part of a big relief package called the American Rescue Plan, aimed at helping folks deal with all the financial stress caused by the pandemic.

Here’s how it worked:

• If you were single and made under $75,000, you got the full $1,400.

• If you were married and made under $150,000, you got $2,800 (that’s $1,400 each).

• And for every dependent (kids, elderly parents, even adult kids in college), you got another $1,400 per person.

Sounds great, right? But here’s the thing—not everyone got it. And some people didn’t get the full amount they were actually owed.

So… Can You Still Get It?

Short answer? Maybe. It depends on your situation.

If you didn’t get the $1,400 payment—or if you got less than you should’ve—you might still be able to claim it. But there’s a catch: you’ll need to file your 2021 tax return, even if you don’t usually file taxes.

When you file, there’s this thing called the Recovery Rebate Credit—that’s how the IRS figures out what you missed and sends it your way.

What Should You Do?

Let’s break it down nice and simple:

1. Didn’t get the check? You might still be eligible. File your 2021 taxes if you haven’t already.

2. Think you got too little? Same thing—file your taxes and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit.

3. Not sure what to do? Use the IRS Get My Payment tool online to see what they sent (or didn’t send) you.

4. Never filed? You’re not out of time yet. You can still file a late 2021 tax return. The IRS usually gives people up to three years to claim a refund. So you’ve got until April 2025.

“But I Don’t Usually File Taxes…”

Totally get that. Maybe your income was low, or you’re on Social Security, or you just didn’t think you needed to. But if you didn’t file taxes in 2021 and never got that $1,400, you’ll need to file a simple return to claim it.

You can even do it online through services like the IRS Free File tool. It’s not as painful as it sounds, and it could mean free money in your pocket.

What If You Already Filed and Still Didn’t Get It?

If you filed your 2021 taxes and still didn’t get anything, here are a few things you can do:

• Check your mail or bank account—sometimes it came as a check or prepaid debit card.

• Look for IRS letters—they sent notices about the payment (like Letter 6475) which explains what you got.

• If nothing adds up, you can file an amended return or call the IRS to sort things out.

If you never got your $1,400 stimulus check—or think you got shorted—you’ve still got a chance to get it. The key is:

• File your 2021 taxes if you haven’t already

• Claim the Recovery Rebate Credit

• And don’t wait too long, because the window to claim it closes in April 2025

It might feel like it’s been forever since those checks went out, but if you’re owed that money, it’s still worth going after. And honestly, who wouldn’t want an extra $1,400 right now?