Where to find your stimulus payment information on IRS.gov

The IRS website has a tool called "Get My Payment" that shows whether you received a stimulus payment, when it was sent, and how it was delivered. You reach it through IRS.gov by searching for "Get My Payment" or going directly to the payment status tool. The tool covers all three rounds of stimulus payments issued between March 2020 and December 2021.

If you are on SSDI, you were included in the stimulus payment groups — you did not have to file a tax return or take any action to receive the money. The IRS sent payments automatically to people receiving Social Security, including SSDI beneficiaries. The tool lets you see the status of those payments without calling anyone or visiting an office.

You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and mailing address to use the tool. The information must match what the IRS has on file. If you have moved since 2020, update your address with the IRS before checking, or the tool may show an incorrect status.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS "Get My Payment" tool on IRS.gov shows the status of all three stimulus payments sent between March 2020 and December 2021.
  • SSDI beneficiaries received stimulus payments automatically without filing a return or taking action, so you can only check status, not request a payment.
  • The tool requires your Social Security number, date of birth, and current mailing address, and the address must match IRS records.
  • If the tool shows your payment was mailed but you never received it, you can file Form 3911 with the IRS to report it missing.
  • Payments were sent by mail, direct deposit, or debit card depending on the IRS records for each person; the tool shows which method was used for your payment.

What the Get My Payment tool shows you

When you enter your information, the tool displays one of three statuses for each stimulus payment: "Payment Status Not Available," "Payment Sent," or "Payment Received." "Payment Status Not Available" means the IRS does not have a record of sending you that particular payment. "Payment Sent" means the IRS issued the payment but has not yet confirmed you received it. "Payment Received" means the payment was delivered.

The tool also shows the payment method — direct deposit to a bank account, mailed check, or debit card. If the payment was mailed, the tool shows the mailing date. If it was direct deposited, it shows the date the funds entered your account. This information helps you track whether a payment arrived as expected or was lost in the mail.

The tool updates regularly but not in real time. If you just received a payment, it may take a few days for the status to change from "Payment Sent" to "Payment Received." Checking multiple times within a few days usually does not provide new information.

Steps to check your stimulus payment status

Go to IRS.gov and search the site for "Get My Payment." The search will take you to the payment status tool. You can also navigate directly if you know the URL, but searching is faster and ensures you reach the official IRS page, not a scam site.

Enter your Social Security number, date of birth in MM/DD/YYYY format, and your current mailing address. The address field is strict — it must match exactly what the IRS has on file. If you have moved since you last filed a tax return or updated your address with Social Security, use your current address, not an old one. If the tool rejects your address, try entering it without apartment or unit numbers, or contact the IRS to update your address before trying again.

After you submit your information, the tool displays the status of each of the three payments. Write down or screenshot the results, especially the payment method and date. Keep this information if you need to file a claim for a missing payment later.

What to do if a payment shows as sent but you never received it

If the tool shows "Payment Sent" but you did not receive the money, the payment may have been lost in the mail, sent to an old address, or deposited into a closed bank account. Do not assume the payment is gone — the IRS has a process to investigate and reissue missing payments.

File Form 3911, "Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund," with the IRS. This form reports that you did not receive a payment the IRS says it sent. You can file it by mail or, in some cases, through a tax professional. Include the payment date shown in the Get My Payment tool and explain that you never received it. The IRS will investigate and either locate the payment or issue a replacement.

Processing a missing payment claim takes time — typically several weeks to several months. The IRS will contact you by mail with the outcome. Do not expect a phone call. Keep copies of everything you send to the IRS.

If the tool says payment status is not available

If Get My Payment shows "Payment Status Not Available" for one or more payments, it means the IRS does not have a record of sending you that payment. This can happen if the IRS did not have your address on file, if your information did not match IRS records, or if there was an error in the payment process.

You can still claim the missing payment on your tax return. When you file your next federal tax return, you will report the stimulus payments you received and claim any you did not. The IRS will compare your return to their records and send you the difference if you are owed money. This process takes longer than a direct payment — usually several months after you file — but it is the standard way to recover a payment the IRS did not send.

If you have not filed a tax return since the stimulus payments ended, you may want to file one to claim any missing payments. A tax professional or the IRS Free File program can help you file if you do not usually file a return.

Protecting yourself from scams when checking payment status

Scammers create fake IRS websites and emails that look like the real thing. They ask for your Social Security number, date of birth, and bank account information, then steal your identity or money. The real IRS will never contact you first by email, text, or phone about a stimulus payment.

Always go to IRS.gov directly by typing the address into your browser. Do not click links in emails or texts, even if they appear to come from the IRS. Do not give your information to anyone who calls you claiming to be from the IRS. The real IRS tool does not ask for your bank account number or PIN — only your Social Security number, date of birth, and mailing address.

If you receive an email or call about a stimulus payment, assume it is a scam. Report it to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov if it is an email, or to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) if it is a phone call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to do anything on IRS.gov to get a stimulus payment if I am on SSDI?

No. The IRS sent stimulus payments automatically to SSDI beneficiaries based on Social Security records. You did not have to file a tax return, register, or contact anyone. The Get My Payment tool only lets you check the status of payments already sent — it does not let you request a payment or change how it was delivered.

What if I moved and the payment was mailed to my old address?

If the tool shows the payment was mailed to an old address, the Postal Service may have forwarded it if you filed a change of address. If not, the check may have been returned to the IRS. File Form 3911 to report the payment as not received, and the IRS will investigate. Include a note that you have moved and provide your current address.

Can I use Get My Payment to check on a payment for someone else?

No. The tool only works with your own Social Security number and personal information. If you are checking on a payment for a family member or someone you care for, they will need to check their own status using their own information. If they cannot access the tool, they can contact the IRS or file Form 3911 themselves.

How long does it take to get a replacement payment if I file Form 3911?

The IRS typically takes several weeks to several months to process a missing payment claim. There is no set timeline. The IRS will send you a letter by mail with the outcome — either confirming they found your original payment or issuing a replacement. Do not expect a phone call or email.

What if Get My Payment says I received a payment I know I did not get?

Contact the IRS directly. You can call 1-800-829-1040 or visit a local IRS office. Bring documentation showing you did not receive the payment — for example, bank statements showing no deposit, or a forwarding address if the check was mailed to an old location. The IRS can investigate and correct their records.