Stimulus check has not yet reached 9 million — How you Claim [renewed with a new deadline]

Stimulus check has not yet reached 9 million — How you Claim [renewed with a new deadline]

Update: The IRS has extended this deadline for another five weeks.

Even as the likelihood of Stimulus Check 2 continues to fade further and further, nearly 9 million Americans may still be waiting for the first $1,200 in stimulus payments provided by the CARES Act, which was passed in March of this year.

CBS News reports that the IRS will soon begin notifying eligible individuals who have not claimed the $1,200 benefit. These individuals will have until October 15 (currently November 21) to enter their information into the non-filers tool on IRS.gov and receive their checks by the end of the year.

Most of the accruals are designated for individuals who do not file regular tax returns, which is the primary criteria the government uses to determine eligibility and send benefits. Many of those who do not file tax returns are older Americans living on their savings or heads of low-income households.

The IRS will be sending letters beginning September 24 to those who may be eligible for the unpaid stimulus package; if they do not meet the October 15 deadline, they will have to file a tax return in 2021 to receive payment.

[On October 5, the IRS extended the deadline from October 15 to November 21]

Please note that receiving a notice from the IRS does not guarantee eligibility for stimulus payments. If you are eligible, you may enter your bank account information to receive the direct deposit. If not, a paper check will be mailed to you.

This is not the first time the IRS has issued notices regarding missing or additional payments. A number of recipients have failed to receive their support payments due to confusion over unpaid child support. These recipients have until September 30 to claim additional benefits using the non-filer tool.

Senate Republicans introduced a "skinny" stimulus package in early September, but as expected, the bill did not receive enough votes in favor. The bill does not include a second stimulus package.

Meanwhile, despite agreement among all parties on the need for and amount of the second round of the stimulus package, disagreement over the total amount of the second round of spending and its contents has left the entire package in limbo.

Democrats and White House officials have a $700 billion spending gap between the two negotiating stances. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) have said no "skinny" bill without a stimulus check.

At this point, it is unclear whether the two sides can break the impasse and resume negotiations.

This article has been updated from September 10, 2020.

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