No regular monthly stimulus payments are happening right now

The federal government is not sending out stimulus payments every month. The three rounds of Economic Impact Payments (the checks most people think of as stimulus) ended in 2021. If you received money labeled as a stimulus payment this month, it came from a different source — either a state program, a settlement, or a one-time federal payment tied to a specific event.

What you may be seeing instead are announcements about tax refunds, child tax credit payments, or state-level relief programs. Each of these has its own schedule and rules. The confusion is real because the word "stimulus" gets used loosely online, and scammers use it to trick people into clicking links or handing over personal information.

Key Takeaways

  • Federal stimulus payments ended in 2021; there is no monthly stimulus program running now.
  • Money arriving this month under a different name — like a tax refund, child tax credit, or state relief payment — comes from a separate program with its own timeline.
  • The IRS and your state revenue department publish schedules for tax refunds and credits; checking those sites directly is faster than searching for rumors.
  • If you see an ad or email promising a stimulus payment you did not request, it is almost certainly a scam.

What actually happened to stimulus payments

Congress passed three rounds of Economic Impact Payments: the first in March 2020 ($1,200 per adult), the second in December 2020 ($600 per adult), and the third in March 2021 ($1,400 per adult). The IRS sent these out over several months each, using tax records, Social Security records, and Veterans Affairs records to find people. After the third round ended in late 2021, no new federal stimulus program was created.

Some states did create their own relief programs after 2021 — usually funded by budget surpluses or federal block grants — but these are state-specific, time-limited, and not automatic. California, Colorado, and a handful of others sent checks to residents in 2022 and 2023, but those programs have mostly closed. If your state is running one now, you would have seen an official announcement from your state revenue department or governor's office, not a random social media post.

Money that might look like stimulus but is not

Tax refunds arrive on a rolling schedule throughout the year, with the heaviest volume in February through April. If you filed your 2023 return and are waiting for a refund, the IRS publishes a refund schedule on its website. You can also check the status of your specific refund using the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool with your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount.

The Child Tax Credit, which some people received as monthly payments in 2021, is now paid once a year as part of your tax return. If you have children under 17, you may receive a credit when you file — up to $2,000 per child — but this is not a stimulus payment and it is not monthly.

Settlement payments and class action lawsuit payouts also arrive on unpredictable schedules. If you were part of a lawsuit against a company or government agency, you may receive a check this month or next, but the timing depends on when the settlement was approved and how the claims administrator processes payments. These are not stimulus payments, though they can look similar.

How to check if money is actually coming to you

Start with the official source, not social media or news sites. If you think a tax refund is on the way, go to IRS.gov and use "Where's My Refund?" You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. The tool updates once a day and will tell you the deposit date if your refund has been processed.

If you are looking for a state payment, go to your state revenue department's website directly. Search "[your state] tax refund status" or "[your state] relief payment" to find the official tool. Do not click links from emails or ads — type the web address yourself or search for the state agency name.

If you think you are owed money from a settlement, search the settlement name plus "claim status" or "payment status" to find the claims administrator's website. They maintain a searchable database of approved claims and payment dates.

Red flags that something is a scam

If you see an ad, email, or text message promising you a stimulus payment you did not request, it is a scam. The IRS does not send unsolicited emails or texts about refunds or payments. Real government agencies do not ask you to click a link to "verify" your information or download an app to receive money.

Scammers use urgency ("Act now before the deadline") and vague promises ("You may be owed money") to push people into clicking. They may ask for your Social Security number, bank account details, or a fee to "process" your payment. Never give this information to anyone who contacted you first.

If you are unsure whether something is real, call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 or your state revenue department using the number on your last tax return. Do not use a phone number from the email or ad you received.

What to do if you are expecting a specific payment

Write down what you are waiting for: a tax refund, a child tax credit, a settlement payment, or something else. Then find the official website for that program and check the status yourself. Bookmark that page so you can check it again without searching.

If the status tool says your payment is on the way, note the expected deposit date. If it has been more than a week past that date and the money has not arrived, contact the agency directly. Tax refunds can be delayed by mail delivery, banking delays, or errors on your return. Settlement payments can be delayed by claims processing backlogs. Each has a different troubleshooting path, and the agency that issued the payment is the only one that can fix it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the government sending out stimulus payments in 2024?

No federal stimulus program is active in 2024. A few states may have one-time relief programs, but these are announced officially by the state and are not automatic — you would need to find out from your state revenue department or governor's office whether one exists and whether you meet the requirements.

Why do I keep seeing ads about stimulus payments?

Scammers and clickbait sites use the word "stimulus" because it gets attention. Real government agencies do not advertise stimulus payments on social media or through ads. If you see an ad promising money, it is either a scam or a news site trying to get clicks, not an actual payment offer.

What if I never got one of the three stimulus payments from 2020 and 2021?

You may be able to claim the payment as a credit on your tax return. The IRS allows you to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit for any stimulus payment you did not receive. File a return for that year (or amend an old return) and claim the credit. You will need to show that you were not claimed as a dependent and that your income was below the limit for that year.

How long does a tax refund take if I just filed?

The IRS aims to process refunds within 21 days of receiving your return, but this varies. If you filed electronically and chose direct deposit, you are more likely to get your refund within that window. If you filed by mail or chose a paper check, add time for processing and delivery. Check "Where's My Refund?" on IRS.gov for your specific timeline.

Can I get a stimulus payment if I owe back taxes?

No. If you owe federal taxes, the IRS will use your refund to pay what you owe before sending you anything. This is called offset. If you owe child support or other debts, those can also be offset. Contact the IRS or the agency you owe to find out the status of your debt and whether a refund will be available after offset.