Money rumors spread faster than wildfire online. Your social feed probably buzzes with claims about new stimulus checks hitting bank accounts soon. Sounds amazing, right? Let’s cut through the noise and discover what’s actually happening with those promised payments.
The Truth About Current Federal Stimulus Programs
No, stimulus checks are not currently being sent out by the federal government. Despite numerous social media posts and websites claiming otherwise, there are no approved or confirmed stimulus payments scheduled for Americans in 2025.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has not authorized any new direct payments, and Congress has not passed legislation to fund such initiatives. These facts are critical to understand amid the flood of misinformation circulating online.
Many Americans have encountered claims about “$1,702 payments,” or “$1,000 November deposits.” These assertions are false. There are no relief payments being issued by direct deposit or check for the remainder of 2025, and none are currently planned for 2026.
The IRS has even posted warnings about these scams, noting that the Recovery Rebate Credit (which funded previous stimulus payments) has expired.
The Tariff Dividend Proposal
While no actual stimulus checks are being distributed, there is a legitimate discussion happening about potential future payments. On November 9, 2025, the President of America posted on Truth Social that his administration is considering sending “tariff dividend checks” worth at least $2,000 a person (not including high-income people!) to Americans.
This would utilize revenue collected from tariffs imposed on imported goods. The administration reports collecting substantial tariff revenue, approximately $31.3 billion in September 2025 alone, bringing the year-to-date total to $214.9 billion.
However, this proposal remains just that—a proposal. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent clarified that the “$2,000 dividend could come in lots of forms” beyond direct payments, potentially including tax reductions on tips, overtime, Social Security, or auto loan deductibility.
Previous Proposals And Their Status
This isn’t the first time such payments have been discussed in 2025. Earlier this year, when Elon Musk was leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), there was consideration of $5,000 stimulus checks funded through government savings, but this plan never materialized.
Additionally, Senator Josh Hawley introduced the American Worker Rebate Act, which proposed $600 payments to Americans, potentially funded through tariff revenue. However, this bill remains stalled in the Senate Finance Committee with no recent movement.
State-Level Relief Programs
While federal stimulus checks aren’t happening, some Americans may be receiving payments from their states. Several states have implemented their own relief programs in 2025, including California (payments of up to $725), Oregon (payments ranging from $200 to $600), and Minnesota (rebates of up to $1,000 from the budget surplus).
These state programs have different eligibility requirements and distribution timelines.
Protecting Yourself From Scams
With widespread misinformation, Americans should stay vigilant. The IRS primarily communicates through official mail, not calls, texts, or emails. Legitimate government payments never require processing fees.
For accurate information, always check official sources, such as IRS.gov, rather than relying on social media claims or unsolicited messages promising “fast” payments.
The bottom line: No federal stimulus checks are currently being sent, though legitimate discussions about potential future payments continue. Stay informed through official channels to avoid scams and misinformation.
