How to know if you're getting a relief payment
Relief payments are one-time transfers from federal or state governments, usually sent during economic hardship, natural disasters, or public health emergencies. The only way to know if one is coming to you is to check the official source that would send it — the U.S. Treasury, your state revenue department, or your state's emergency management office. No private website can tell you whether you're on a payment list, and no email or text claiming to offer that information is legitimate.
The payment method depends on what you filed with the government before. If you filed a tax return in the past two years, the IRS has your bank account or mailing address on file and will use that. If you receive Social Security, Veterans benefits, or SSI, the payment goes to the account linked to that benefit. If the government has neither, they mail a check to your last known address.
Relief payments are announced publicly before they're sent. The announcement includes the program name, who qualifies, when payments start, and the official website where you can check your status. If you see a payment mentioned on social media or in an email but can't find it on a .gov website, it's not real.
Key Takeaways
- Check the official government website for the program — usually the U.S. Treasury, your state revenue department, or your state's emergency management office — to see if a payment has been issued or is pending.
- The government uses your most recent tax return, Social Security account, or mailing address to send the payment, so update your address with the IRS or your benefit provider if you've moved.
- Real relief payments are announced on .gov websites before they're sent; if you see one only on social media or in an unsolicited email, it's a scam.
- If a payment was sent but you never received it, contact the issuing agency directly using the phone number or website from the official announcement, not a number from an email.
Where to check for federal relief payments
The U.S. Treasury maintains a page listing all current and past federal relief programs at treasury.gov/faq/taxes/economic-impact-payments. This page shows which programs are active, who they cover, and links to the status-check tool for each one. If a federal relief payment has been announced, it will be listed here with a direct link to check whether it's been sent to you.
For tax-related relief (including Economic Impact Payments, also called stimulus checks), the IRS has a dedicated tool called Get My Payment at irs.gov. You enter your Social Security number, date of birth, and street address, and the tool tells you whether a payment was issued, when it was sent, and how (direct deposit, check, or debit card). This tool updates daily and is the only legitimate place to check IRS payment status.
If you receive Social Security, SSI, or Veterans benefits, check with your benefit provider directly. The Social Security Administration, Veterans Affairs, and the Railroad Retirement Board all have their own payment status pages. Do not call a number from an email or text; instead, go to the official website or use the phone number on your benefit statement.
How to update your address or bank account before a payment arrives
If you've moved or changed banks since your last tax return, update your information now so the payment reaches you. The IRS allows you to update your address through your online account at irs.gov/account if you filed electronically in the past two years. You can also file Form 8822-B (Change of Address) by mail, though this takes longer.
For Social Security or SSI, update your address by logging into my.ssa.gov, calling 1-800-772-1213, or visiting your local Social Security office. For Veterans benefits, update your address at va.gov or by calling the Veterans Benefits Hotline at 1-800-827-1000. These updates take effect within a few days to a week.
If you want to change the bank account where a payment will be deposited, you must do this before the payment is issued. Once a payment is sent to a closed account or wrong address, recovery takes longer. Check the program announcement to see the deadline for address or account updates; most programs have a cutoff date after which changes cannot be made.
What to do if you were supposed to get a payment but didn't receive it
If the status tool shows a payment was issued but you never received it, the next step depends on how it was sent. For direct deposits, check your bank account for the deposit date listed in the status tool — sometimes deposits take a few extra days to appear. If the deposit date has passed and the money isn't there, contact your bank and ask them to trace the deposit using the routing number and amount shown in the status tool.
For checks, wait at least 21 days from the issue date before assuming it's lost. Checks can take two to three weeks to arrive by mail. If 21 days have passed, contact the issuing agency (the IRS for federal tax relief, your state revenue department for state relief) and ask them to issue a replacement check or direct deposit. You'll need to provide proof that you never received the first one — your bank statement showing no deposit, or a signed statement that you never received the check.
For payments sent to a debit card, check the card account online or call the card issuer's customer service number. The payment may have been deposited but not yet activated. If the card was never received or was lost, contact the issuing agency to request a replacement card or a direct deposit to your bank instead.
How to report a scam claiming to be a relief payment
Scammers send emails, texts, and make phone calls claiming you're owed a relief payment and asking you to confirm personal information, click a link, or pay a fee to "unlock" the payment. Real relief payments never require you to pay anything, click a link from an email, or provide information over the phone to someone who called you.
If you receive a suspicious message about a relief payment, do not click any links or reply with personal information. Instead, go directly to the official government website (treasury.gov, irs.gov, or your state's website) and check the status there. If the message came by email, forward it to the agency's fraud reporting address — the IRS has phishing@irs.gov, and the Treasury has a fraud hotline at 1-800-714-8151.
If you already gave out personal information, contact the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov and monitor your credit report for unauthorized accounts. You can place a fraud alert on your credit file for free by calling one of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax (1-800-525-6285), Experian (1-888-397-3742), or TransUnion (1-800-680-7289).
Relief payments by state
Many states have issued their own relief payments separate from federal programs. These vary widely by state and year. To learn about your state has issued or is planning a relief payment, visit your state's revenue department website or emergency management office website. Search "[your state] relief payment" or "[your state] stimulus check" to find the official announcement.
State relief payments are usually announced on the state revenue department's website and have their own status-check tool. Some states send payments automatically to anyone who filed a state tax return; others require you to submit information. The announcement will specify which applies. Do not trust third-party websites or social media posts about state payments — always verify on the official state website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a relief payment if I didn't file taxes?
It depends on the program. Some relief payments go only to people who filed a tax return. Others go to anyone receiving Social Security, SSI, or Veterans benefits. A few programs allow non-filers to register on a government website to receive a payment. Check the official announcement for the specific program to see whether non-filers are covered.
What if I'm not a U.S. citizen?
Most federal relief payments require you to have a valid Social Security number and be a U.S. resident. Some state programs have different rules. Check the program announcement to see the citizenship or residency requirements. If you're unsure, contact the issuing agency directly using the phone number on the official announcement.
How long does it take to get a relief payment after it's announced?
Timing varies by program. Some payments are issued within days of the announcement; others take weeks or months. The official announcement includes the expected timeline and the date payments will begin. Check the status tool to see whether your payment has been issued, rather than waiting for it to arrive.
What if I owe back taxes or child support?
Some relief payments can be offset to pay back taxes, child support, or other federal debts. The program announcement will say whether offsets apply. If you owe a debt, the government may reduce or withhold your payment. Contact the agency that issued the debt to ask whether your relief payment will be affected.
Can I check someone else's relief payment status?
No. The status tools require your Social Security number and personal information, and they're designed so only you can check your own status. If you're helping a family member, they must log in themselves or give you written permission to act on their behalf, which usually requires a power of attorney.