Over the past week, social media has been flooded with claims about a fourth federal stimulus check worth $2,000 supposedly arriving in July or August 2025. Dozens of loosely sourced articles have repeated this, sparking hope—and confusion—for millions of Americans still dealing with inflation and high living costs.
But here’s the truth: there is no fourth stimulus check approved or in progress.
No Proof
The rumor began with a 19 July article by Rick Adams, suggesting Congress was under pressure to approve new checks. It claimed eligible Americans would receive $2,000 payments, with extra for dependents, possibly starting late 2025.
But none of that is backed by action. There is no draft legislation, no funding, and no IRS update confirming this. The most recent IRS bulletin (IR-2025-75), released on 15 July, focused entirely on tax filing extensions and made no mention of stimulus checks.
The IRS and Treasury have also said nothing about a new round. They’ve only confirmed that unclaimed $1,400 checks from 2021 are still being processed—but those are not new payments. That program ends in early 2025.
DOGE Checks
Back in February 2025, Donald Trump mentioned a one-time $5,000 “DOGE dividend” at a Miami summit. He suggested using savings from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, to send checks to taxpayers.
But that plan never moved forward. Congress hasn’t discussed it, no funding exists, and the estimated “savings” from DOGE are much lower than needed. In fact, if DOGE’s $130 billion in reported savings were evenly split among taxpayers, each person would only get about $807—far from $5,000.
Economic Pressure Is Real
While the $2,000 check isn’t real, the financial strain is. Costs of housing, food, and healthcare remain high, and Social Security’s COLA adjustments aren’t keeping up with inflation.
Rick Adams’ article does point to real concerns. But turning those into a federal relief plan takes more than headlines—it takes legislation, funding, and political will. So far, none of that is happening.
What’s Being Sent?
Some people are still receiving pandemic-era payments, but they’re not new. The IRS is distributing $1,400 Recovery Rebate Credits for those who didn’t claim them on their 2021 tax returns. If you think you missed it, you must file by April 15, 2025—no exceptions.
No fourth check has been authorized. Once the 2021 payments are closed out, that’s it. The Treasury has said any unclaimed funds after the deadline revert to the government.
Scam Alert
As rumors spread, so do scams. People are getting fake texts, emails, and websites promising early access to a $2,000 check. Some ask for Social Security numbers, bank info, or a “processing fee.”
Don’t fall for it. The IRS never asks for personal info via text or social media. If in doubt, always go to irs.gov or call 800-829-1954.
What States Are Doing
Some states are offering modest relief, but these are not federal stimulus checks:
- New York gave $200–$400 inflation checks based on income
- Georgia, Colorado, and Pennsylvania issued tax rebates or property-related refunds
- California wrapped up its MCTR program but launched a small UBI-style pilot in Sacramento
- Other states like Michigan and New Jersey expanded tax credits and rent/property rebates
Each state sets its own rules, and most of these payments are under $1,000.
Past Stimulus History
To understand the hype, here’s what real federal stimulus checks looked like:
| Round | Year | Max Payment |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2020 | $1,200 per adult |
| 2nd | Jan 2021 | $600 per adult |
| 3rd | Mar–Dec 2021 | $1,400 per adult |
| Total | $3,200 + dependents |
The third round is still being claimed through tax returns, but the window closes April 15, 2025.
How to Check Refunds
If you’re still waiting on a tax refund or think you missed a stimulus check:
- Use Where’s My Refund on irs.gov
- Have your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount ready
- For paper filers, refunds take longer—up to eight weeks
Can’t use the site? Call the IRS at 800-829-1954.
State payments are tracked through your local tax agency. For example, Pennsylvania and Delaware each have online refund tools specific to their state systems.
FAQs
Is a $2,000 stimulus check coming in 2025?
No, there’s no official plan or law supporting that.
What is the IRS doing right now?
Finishing unclaimed 2021 $1,400 credit payments.
Are DOGE stimulus checks real?
No, they are just a proposed idea with no funding.
How do I check for missing payments?
Use the ‘Where’s My Refund’ tool at irs.gov.
What should I do about stimulus scams?
Ignore messages and only trust official IRS channels.
