IRS Confirms $1,500 Child Stimulus – How to Claim It and When to Expect Your Payment

If you’re a parent or guardian and missed out on pandemic-era stimulus payments, there’s good news. In 2025, the IRS confirmed a new round of child-related payments worth up to $1,500 per child. These payments are tied to the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit—a second chance for families who didn’t receive or claim the third stimulus check during COVID-19. And the deadline to file? May 15, 2025.

Let’s break it down so you know exactly what to do and how to get your money.

Overview

This is not a new stimulus check. It’s a catch-up payment based on the third round of the Economic Impact Payments. Back in 2021, families were entitled to $1,400 per person, but many never filed their taxes or claimed what they were owed. This year, the IRS is reaching out to make sure eligible families don’t miss out—especially those with kids.

Here’s a quick summary:

Whyimportant

Millions of families didn’t realize they qualified for earlier payments—or assumed they earned too little to file taxes. This credit gives them a second chance. Think of it as finding cash in your old jeans, only it could be thousands of dollars.

This money could mean food on the table, school supplies for your kids, or paying off overdue bills. Don’t sleep on this opportunity.

Eligibility

You qualify for the $1,500 child payment if:

You:

• Were a U.S. citizen or resident in 2021
• Had an AGI under:
  • $75,000 if Single
  • $112,500 if Head of Household
  • $150,000 if Married Filing Jointly
• Were not claimed as someone else’s dependent

Your child:

• Was under 17 in 2021
• Lived with you more than half the year
• Had a valid Social Security Number

And here’s the kicker—even if you had no income in 2021, you can still get the full amount.

Claim

Step-by-step, here’s how to claim your payment:

1. File a 2021 tax return. This is mandatory—even if you didn’t earn anything that year.
2. Report any previous stimulus. This helps the IRS calculate what you’re still owed.
3. Choose direct deposit. It’s the fastest way to get your money.
4. Wait 4–8 weeks. Payments are processed after the return is reviewed.

Realcase

Take this real-life scenario: A single mom of two never filed taxes in 2021 because she didn’t earn enough. After finding out about the Recovery Rebate Credit in early 2025, she filed a return and got $3,000—$1,500 per child—in just six weeks. That’s a summer camp, school supplies, and a month of groceries all covered.

Watchout

This is important: the IRS will never call, text, or email you asking for your personal info. They won’t charge a fee to “release your funds” either. If anyone says otherwise, it’s a scam.

Stick with official IRS channels. You can check your refund status at IRS.gov.

Compare

Still unsure? Let’s look at how this stimulus stacks up with other programs:

Good news—you can combine these if you’re eligible by filing a complete 2021 return.

Amend

Already filed your 2021 return but didn’t get this payment? Don’t worry. You can file a correction with Form 1040-X. You might need to do this if:

• You forgot to include a dependent
• Your income was reported incorrectly
• You didn’t add banking info for direct deposit

Freefile

No need to spend a dime to get this money. Here’s where you can file for free:

• IRS Free File on IRS.gov
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites
• Local senior centers or libraries offering free tax help

Some organizations even walk you through the process over the phone or via live chat.

Outlook

There aren’t any new stimulus checks planned right now, but this move shows that unclaimed benefits are still a major concern. With rising prices and financial pressures still high, don’t be surprised if more programs emerge to help families in future tax years.

This one, though? It’s active now—and the deadline is just around the corner. Don’t wait. File, claim, and get what’s rightfully yours.

FAQs