The Internal Revenue Service is steadily marching toward its ambitious goal of disbursing the last remaining coronavirus stimulus checks under President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan.

Despite that notable success, know that there are still many financially struggling Americans who are sitting empty-handed, wondering daily if their $1,400 stimulus checks that they are entitled to will ever arrive in their respective bank accounts or mailboxes.

For example, keep in mind that many Social Security recipients and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries only started receiving their much-needed stimulus payments last week.

But do take note that fewer Americans will receive checks this time around, so make sure to confirm that the necessary income thresholds are met. Individuals who earn as much as $75,000 in adjusted gross income, or couples making $150,000, in addition to their children or adult dependents, qualify for the full $1,400 per individual. 

After confirming eligibility, then make sure to head over to the IRS “Get My Payment” tool at www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment. To use it, one will just need to type in the full Social Security or tax ID number, date of birth, street address, and ZIP code.

Be aware that some individuals will receive a “Need More Information” message, which means that the stimulus check was returned to the IRS because the post office was unable to deliver it.

Know that if a taxpayer’s address has recently changed, the best way to update it is to “file your 2020 tax return with your current address, if you haven’t already done so. Once we receive your current address, we will reissue your payment,” the IRS said.

Other people will receive a message that says, “Payment Status Not Available.”

“If you get this message, either we have not yet processed your payment, or you are not eligible for a payment,” the IRS says. “We will continue to send the 2021 Economic Impact Payment to eligible individuals throughout 2021.”

More recently, some individuals reportedly have gotten a confirmation letter (Notice 1444 or Notice 1444-B) from the IRS stating that their payment was issued even though they have yet to receive it. In this particular situation, the impacted individuals have the option to request an IRS payment trace.

The same holds true if the “Get My Payment” tool shows that the stimulus funds have been transferred but there is no change in the recipient’s bank account.

To request a payment trace, first call the IRS at 800-919-9835 or mail or fax a completed Form 3911, “Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund.”

If the trace request was completed over the phone, then be aware that one does not have to fill out Form 3911.

Ethen Kim Lieser is a Minneapolis-based Science and Tech Editor who has held posts at Google, The Korea Herald, Lincoln Journal Star, AsianWeek, and Arirang TV. Follow or contact him on LinkedIn.