$1,390 Stimulus Check Claim Gains Attention – Here's What We Know
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The rumored eligibility rules mirror those from the pandemic-era Economic Impact Payments: individuals earning up to $75,000 per year, married couples making up to $150,000, and heads of household with incomes up to $112,500. The only other stated requirement is filing a 2024 federal tax return. Distribution methods would include direct deposit, paper checks, or EIP debit cards.
No Official Word from the IRS
Despite the headlines, the IRS itself has not announced any new, nationwide stimulus program. The agency's official Economic Impact Payments pages confirm that the first, second, and third stimulus rounds have already been fully issued, and there is no mention of a fourth payment. The only recent checks processed in 2025 were 'plus-up' or correction payments tied to the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit – for people who missed their earlier stimulus due to filing or processing delays.
If a new $1,390 federal payment were truly authorized, the IRS would publish details on its newsroom site, and Congress would have passed legislation to fund it. As of mid-August 2025, neither has happened.
The Real Proposal in Play
Some of the confusion stems from an actual bill in Washington – the American Worker Rebate Act of 2025, introduced by Senator Josh Hawley in late July. This proposal would provide tariff-funded rebates of at least $600 per adult and per dependent child. While the concept is real, the legislation is in its earliest stage, having only been referred to the Senate Finance Committee. No votes have been held, and no timeline is guaranteed.
In other words, even if Hawley's bill passes, the amount would be significantly less than $1,390, and the funding source would be specific tariff revenues rather than general pandemic-style stimulus funding.
How to Prepare
If Congress does approve a new federal payment, eligibility guidelines and application-free distribution would be published directly by the IRS. To be ready, ensure your 2024 tax return is filed and accurate, your address and direct deposit information are current with the IRS, and you remain alert to scams. The IRS will never email, text, or call you to 'claim' a stimulus payment.
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