Thousands of retirees may be entitled to a back payment of up to $1,375, according to recent updates from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). These unpaid amounts, often referred to as “back stimulus,” are linked to previous federal relief measures that some individuals never received due to filing errors, processing delays, or missing information.
An IRS spokesperson emphasized:
“Every American who was legally eligible for stimulus payments should receive them in full. If you believe you were left out, the IRS encourages you to claim your eligible funds without delay.”
Why Some Retirees Are Still Owed Stimulus Money
The IRS has confirmed that a significant number of seniors—particularly those on Social Security, SSI, and SSDI—may not have received the full amounts during earlier relief distributions. Reasons include:
- Filing a tax return late or not at all.
- Payment errors where direct deposit or mailing details were outdated.
- Overlooked eligibility for dependents or partial credits.
How Retirees Can Claim the $1,375 Back Stimulus
Eligible retirees are encouraged to review their tax filings and refund status. The IRS clarified:
“If you did not receive the full stimulus amount, you can claim the missing funds by filing or amending your federal tax return through the Recovery Rebate Credit process.”
Steps to check:
- Visit the official IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool online.
- Review your past 2020, 2021, and 2022 returns to confirm eligibility.
- File an amended return if you believe stimulus payments were missed.
Important Deadlines
The IRS has reminded seniors to act quickly:
“Taxpayers generally have three years to file or amend a return to claim missing credits. Retirees should not delay, as the window to secure unpaid stimulus funds is closing.”
That means retirees missing payments from earlier years must ensure they claim them before the statutory deadlines expire.
No Impact on Social Security Benefits
The IRS also assured retirees that these back payments are separate from Social Security benefits. The $1,375 stimulus does not reduce or interfere with monthly Social Security, SSI, or SSDI checks.
How to Protect Yourself from Scams
Officials warned retirees to stay alert to fraud:
- The IRS will never call, text, or email demanding personal or banking details.
- All claims must be made through the official IRS website or by filing a legitimate tax return.
- If you are asked to pay fees to “release” your stimulus, it is a scam.
The IRS reiterated its commitment to ensuring every eligible retiree receives their due payments:
“Our goal is fairness. No senior should miss out on financial support they were promised.”
Retirees are strongly encouraged to check their refund status today and take action to claim any unpaid stimulus amounts.
FAQs
1. Why is the IRS issuing a $1,375 back stimulus payment?
The $1,375 back stimulus is not a new program but rather unpaid or missed funds from earlier federal relief checks. Many retirees were left out due to filing errors, outdated information, or delays. The IRS is allowing eligible seniors to claim what they are owed.
2. Who is eligible for the $1,375 back stimulus?
Retirees receiving Social Security, SSI, or SSDI may be eligible if they did not receive the full stimulus payments in previous rounds. Eligibility depends on your tax filings and income status during 2020, 2021, or 2022.
3. Do I need to file taxes to claim the back stimulus?
Yes. If you did not receive the full amount, you must file or amend a tax return using the Recovery Rebate Credit. The IRS uses your tax filing to verify eligibility and process the payment.
4. Will the $1,375 affect my Social Security benefits?
No. The IRS has confirmed that stimulus payments are separate from Social Security benefits. Claiming or receiving the back payment will not reduce or interfere with your monthly SSI, SSDI, or Social Security checks.
5. How do I check if I am owed money?
You can:
- Use the official IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool online.
- Review your 2020, 2021, and 2022 tax returns for missing credits.
- Contact the IRS directly if you believe a payment was missed.
6. Is there a deadline to claim the $1,375?
Yes. Generally, taxpayers have three years from the original filing date to amend a return and claim missing credits. Seniors should act quickly to avoid losing out on these funds.