If you are incarcerated in a state or federal prison, you are eligible to receive your stimulus checks if you meet all four requirements: You are a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or qualifying resident alien and you have a valid Social Security Number. To claim the payments, you will need to file a 2020 tax return to obtain both the first and second round of stimulus checks. People in prison may be able to claim the payments by filling out a 1040 tax form and mailing it to the IRS.