Every economy in the world was hurt by the COVID-19 outbreak, and the US economy was no different. To help people who were having the most trouble with their finances, the U.S. government put in place a number of economic relief measures, such as stimulus checks, to make things easier.
During this time, three sets of checks were sent out: two sets while Trump was president and one set while Biden was president. The big question, though, is still whether immigrants can get these funds.
What is a stimulus check?
It’s clear from the name that stimulus checks are meant to boost the economy by giving people cash to meet their basic needs. Three rounds of these payments were made during the pandemic. The first check was for $1,200 per person, plus an extra $500 for each child. The next check was for $600 per taxpayer, and the last one was for $1,400 per person.
These payments were meant to help the weakest families get through the economic downturn caused by COVID-19, but not all of them got their full payment or got it on time. Some people still haven’t claimed their checks, either because they didn’t know they were qualified or because they thought they didn’t. The immigrant community is especially likely to do this.
Who is eligible to claim a stimulus check?
You can get a stimulus check no matter what your immigration situation is; it depends on your income and whether you file taxes. People had to make a certain amount of money to be eligible for any of the three checks that were given out.
For example, a single taxpayer had to make less than $80,000 a year to be eligible, while a married pair filing jointly could make up to $160,000 a year. The cap was set at $120,000 for people who filed as heads of household.
Also, you must have filed a tax return for the relevant years, especially 2020 or 2021, in order to get the money. It’s not too late if you haven’t gotten your check yet. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has set April 18, 2025, as the last day to ask for pending payments through Form 1040’s Recovery Rebate Credit.
Can immigrants without residency claim the stimulus check?
You might be able to get a stimulus check even if you are not a permanent resident of the United States. You just have to meet some conditions. Having a proper Social Security number is very important. If their partner meets the requirements, immigrants who are married to U.S. citizens or legal residents may be able to get the check.
Also, if they were listed as dependents on the tax return of another person, they might be able to get the payment too.
They can also ask for the check if they meet the income requirements and have filed their taxes properly if they are a permanent resident or a qualified resident alien. So, they could get up to $1,400 each, just like people living in the U.S.
How to claim your stimulus check as an immigrant
If you meet the standards, getting a stimulus check is pretty easy. You only need to fill out IRS Form 1040 and include the Recovery Rebate Credit if you have already filed your taxes for the years in question but haven’t received the payment yet. This form can be filled out online or on paper, and the date for submission is April 20, 2025.
It is important to note that immigrants who don’t have a real Social Security number can’t get the stimulus check, but if they are married to someone who does have one, they can get help through their spouse. In the same way, someone who has claimed them as a dependent could also claim the money for them.
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