As speculation over new federal stimulus checks floods social media, federal officials have confirmed there will be no nationwide $1,400 direct deposits in November. Online rumors suggesting a renewed "IRS stimulus" have no basis in fact, with official information showing that all pandemic-era payments were completed earlier this year.
The Internal Revenue Service has stated that the three rounds of COVID-era Economic Impact Payments, including the final $1,400 per person installment, were fully disbursed. Claims for any unreceived payments closed on April 15, 2025. Despite this, misinformation continues to circulate online, linking supposed "Trump stimulus checks" or "November relief boosts" to nonexistent programs.
Some social media accounts have pointed to proposals such as Senator Josh Hawley's American Worker Rebate Act, which outlined payments ranging from $600 to $2,400 per family. However, the measure has not advanced in Congress. Speculative claims surrounding a $5,000 "DOGE dividend" linked to Donald Trump's name have also appeared online without any legislative action or confirmation.
The absence of new federal aid has created fertile ground for scammers. Fraudulent texts and emails promising IRS deposits have proliferated in recent weeks. The agency directs taxpayers to use only official resources to verify their refund or payment status, such as the Where's My Refund? tool, which generally provides updates within 21 days of an electronically filed return.
While Washington remains gridlocked on any new stimulus, several states are providing limited relief checks or tax refunds to offset inflationary pressures. Programs differ by location and eligibility criteria.
- New York: Individual filers earning under $75,000 are receiving $200, while joint filers under $150,000 qualify for $400. Checks began mailing in late September.
- New Jersey: The ANCHOR program offers up to $1,750 for senior homeowners, $1,500 for younger owners, and between $450 and $700 for renters depending on age. Applications close October 31.
- Virginia: Rebates of $200 for single filers and $400 for joint filers are being sent to taxpayers with liabilities this fall.
- Colorado: TABOR refunds, based on a $1.7 billion budget surplus, range from $177 to $1,130 per person, with payments starting in late November.
- Georgia: Automatic state rebates provide $250 for individuals, $375 for heads of household, and $500 for married couples who filed 2023 and 2024 state returns.
These localized efforts highlight a growing reliance on state-level measures rather than new federal programs to combat persistent cost-of-living pressures. Officials encourage residents to confirm eligibility and distribution schedules through official state tax websites.
