Stimulus check status update: Plus-up payments, delivery schedule, everything left to know

Just because you got your stimulus check doesn’t mean your journey with the $1,400 payment is over. And if you’re still waiting to receive it, we’ll help you track your stimulus money and explain why it could be delayed. For this third round of checks, it’s especially important to stay in the know of your check’s whereabouts and the amount of money you expect to receive. That’s because the IRS might actually owe you a “plus-up payment,” weekly adjustments for folks who need a bigger share as a result of their 2020 tax returns and more. 

With the tax deadline now May 17, plus-up payments could continue to arrive for months while the IRS processes tax returns. Meanwhile, first-time deliveries are still arriving in the mail, and the IRS is sending fresh checks to “eligible individuals for whom the IRS previously did not have information to issue a payment but who recently filed a tax return,” the IRS and Department of the Treasury said last week.

We’ll explain why your stimulus check could be delayed, how to report a problem and when to worry and file a payment trace. If you have kids, learn about the monthly child tax credit (here’s how much money you’ll get, what to know about shared custody). Millions of people could also get money off their health insurance costs. Find out if your state owes you money, and the latest on student loan debt forgiveness and a fourth stimulus check. This story was recently updated.

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Stimulus plus-up payments: What you need to know

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Essential stimulus plus-up payment information

What’s a stimulus check plus-up payment? Basically, it’s more money that the IRS and Treasury owe you for your stimulus check, which you’ll receive in a separate payment after getting your first payment. We can’t emphasize this enough — it’s crucial you know how much money you should expect this stimulus round, track your payment and hold onto this IRS letter. We don’t want you leaving money on the table if you’re owed a plus-up payment that for reason of a clerical error never arrives.

Now back to plus-up payments. They’re arriving on a weekly basis, but only for this third check. A plus-up does not cover any money missing from the first two stimulus checks. What it does cover is a difference in your favor if the IRS used your 2019 taxes to calculate your third stimulus check but you’re owed more from your 2020 taxes. Maybe you had a lower AGI this time or counted a new dependent.

If you got your stimulus payment through direct deposit, that’s how you should expect to receive your plus-up money, too. If the IRS doesn’t have your details on file, you may get a paper check instead.

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Stimulus check 3: How much money you’ll get

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Stimulus checks could arrive through December

While the IRS and Treasury say they’ve sent the bulk of stimulus check payments (at least the initial sums), the text of the March stimulus law gives the agencies until Dec. 31, 2021 to send all the third checks. That buys time to finish processing 2020 taxes, including for people who are owed plus-up payments, folks who file a 2020 tax extension and other groups, including those who moved or don’t have a fixed address (like people experiencing homelessness).

If all or part of your stimulus check doesn’t arrive by then, you’ll need to claim your missing money in a 2021 tax return in April 2022, a year from now. This would be similar to the Recovery Rebate Credit for claiming missing money from the first two checks, which is currently in effect for 2020 taxes.

What to know if you get a smaller payment than you should

There are several reasons the IRS may owe you stimulus money after it sends out the third round of checks. (And here’s why you got the payment size you did.) For example, the agency may have processed your 2019 tax return before it received 2020 tax forms and you’re entitled to a bigger payment. If this is your situation, the IRS said it will automatically evaluate if you qualify for a plus-up payment after it receives your 2020 tax return. You won’t need to file an amended tax form.

If you had a baby or added a dependent in 2020, the will also automatically send a supplement payment once it receives your taxes this year.

But what if a clerical error accidentally left out money, payment never arrived or it was accidentally garnished? The IRS could open up claims for missing stimulus money before its Dec. 31 deadline to stop sending checks. If not, you might have to wait a year to claim it — when you file your 2021 taxes in 2022 (even if you’re a nonfiler who isn’t typically required to file taxes).

Tracking your stimulus check: What to know

If you got your stimulus check money, are you sure you got the right amount? The IRS won’t tell you, and if you want to see for yourself, you may need to jump through a hoop or two. Start by knowing how much money you should receive (at least the ballpark figure) and make sure you know the status of your payment. 

The IRS updates its Get My Payment tracker tool for stimulus checks daily. This online app shows the status of your payment, including when a check is scheduled for delivery. You can also use a free tool from the USPS to track your mailed stimulus payment.

The IRS portal also flags if there’s a problem with your payment that you may need to address, but it doesn’t tell you the amount you’ll receive. You’ll see your payment status in the tracker if you receive SSI and SSDI benefits. VA beneficiaries who are veterans and don’t file taxes can check the status of their payments beginning the weekend of April 10 and 11. 

Common reasons all or part of your stimulus didn’t arrive 

Also, here’s what to know if the IRS sent a letter confirming it sent your stimulus payment, but the money never arrived. Here’s more information on problems you might encounter with your stimulus check.

Got a problem with your stimulus payment? How to report it

The IRS doesn’t want you to call if you have any issue with the delivery or amount of your stimulus check. So what to do instead? Our guide walks you through how to report stimulus check problems, including checks that never arrive (try filing a payment trace), direct deposit payments that go to the wrong account and other issues.

Must-know: Your 2020 tax return could make all the difference

Taxes are now due May 17. So how will the IRS figure out how much it owes you? It will calculate your total (you can also do that here) based on the most recent tax filing it’s processed at the time it’s ready to tabulate the amount of your stimulus check.

If you know your tax return was already processed, your total will likely be based on your 2020 adjusted gross income, not on your 2019 AGI. That presents complications if the difference between the two years disqualifies you from getting a third stimulus check. 

On the flip side, if the IRS uses your 2019 taxes and you’re owed more money based on your 2020 AGI and dependents, you could get a plus-up payment. If you got more money than you’re owed, you’ll only need to return it to the IRS in some cases. 

Stimulus details for veterans, SSDI, SSI

After a month of waiting, stimulus checks started flowing to veterans receiving VA benefits. On April 14, the IRS and Treasury said they sent 320,000 payments to veterans who don’t ordinarily file taxes (those that do may have received their stimulus check already). Some veterans on a forum on Reddit are reporting they received their checks. VA beneficiary payment information should have been in the IRS’ Get My Payment tool this weekend, the IRS said, but some are reporting their status still isn’t available. We reached out to the IRS for clarification.

Starting April 3, the IRS started making payments for SSDI and SSI recipients and retired railroad workers, many of whom automatically qualify for the third check. The majority of payments made electronically — either through direct deposit or to existing Direct Express cards — by April 7, according to the IRS.

You’ll most likely get the electronic payment transfer if this is how you normally receive benefits, and if you didn’t file taxes in 2019 or 2020. But some in this subset of nonfilers could receive an automatic payment sooner if they got a previous check by using the IRS’ Non-Filers tool, which is now closed. The SSA says this group will not receive an EIP debit card. Here’s our complete guide to stimulus checks for people receiving Social Security benefits.

More important stimulus details for these groups

Stimulus checks aren’t necessarily a one-size-fits-all situation. Here are guides for:

And here’s everything you need to know about the third stimulus check, how to calculate your stimulus total and every way the stimulus law can bring you more money.