If you never got a stimulus check you were expecting—or you received less than you should have—you’re not alone. The good news: in many cases, you can still get that money through your federal income tax return using something called the Recovery Rebate Credit.

If you were counting on a stimulus check and it never showed up, you’re not alone—and you’re not powerless. The IRS has tools to help you check the status of a missing stimulus payment, claim money you’re owed, or request a replacement if your check was lost, stolen, or destroyed.

If you were counting on a stimulus payment and it never showed up, you’re not alone—and you’re not stuck. In many cases, you can still claim the money you’re owed, but the steps you take now matter.

When the economy shut down and uncertainty spiked, stimulus checks became a lifeline for millions of households. Yet many people were left wondering: Why did my neighbor get a payment but I didn’t? and Where did my money go—and how was it sent?