The arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic took a toll on economies worldwide, and the United States was no exception. To ease the financial strain, the U.S. government introduced a series of economic relief measures, including stimulus checks, aimed at those most impacted by the crisis.
Over this period, three rounds of checks were issued: two under President Donald Trump and one more under President Joe Biden. However, the big question remains: are immigrants eligible for these payments?
What is a stimulus check?
Stimulus checks are, as their name implies, a means to stimulate the economy by providing people with cash to cover basic needs. During the pandemic, three rounds of these payments were distributed. The first check was for $1,200 per person, with an additional $500 for each dependent; the second was $600 per taxpayer, and the third reached $1,400 per person.
These payments were intended to help the most vulnerable families weather the economic recession caused by Covid-19, but not everyone received their full payment or received it on time. Even today, some individuals haven’t claimed their checks, either because they weren’t aware they were eligible or because they believed they didn’t qualify. This is particularly common among the immigrant population.
Who is eligible to claim a stimulus check?
Eligibility for a stimulus check isn’t determined by immigration status but rather by income level and tax-filing status. To qualify for any of the three issued checks, individuals had to meet specific income limits. For instance, a single taxpayer needed to earn less than $80,000 annually to be eligible, while married couples filing jointly had a cap of $160,000. In the case of those filing as heads of household, the limit was set at $120,000.
Moreover, to claim the money, it’s essential to have filed a tax return for the relevant years, specifically 2020 or 2021. If you haven’t received your check, it’s not too late: the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has set April 18, 2025, as the deadline for requesting pending payments via the Recovery Rebate Credit, which can be found on Form 1040.
Can immigrants without residency claim the stimulus check?
It’s possible that immigrants who don’t have permanent residency in the United States can also claim a stimulus check, as long as they meet certain requirements. The key lies in having a valid Social Security number. Immigrants married to U.S. citizens or legal residents may be eligible for the check if their spouse meets the necessary conditions.
Similarly, if they have been included as dependents on another taxpayer’s return, they might also qualify for the payment.
On the other hand, immigrants who are permanent residents or qualified resident aliens can also request the check if they meet the income requirements and have filed their taxes correctly. This would allow them to receive up to $1,400 per person, just like U.S. citizens.
How to claim your stimulus check as an immigrant
The process for claiming a stimulus check is fairly straightforward, provided you meet the requirements. If you have already filed your taxes for the relevant years but didn’t receive the payment, you simply need to complete IRS Form 1040, including the Recovery Rebate Credit. This form is available online and in print format and can be submitted until the April 2025 deadline.
It’s worth mentioning that although immigrants without a valid Social Security number aren’t eligible for the stimulus check, they can benefit from the assistance through their spouse if married to someone who has one. Similarly, if someone has claimed them as a dependent, that person could claim the funds on their behalf.