Last year I had dependents.. but did not get my credit how do I get my credit for my dependents from last year

[NCperson]

file an amended return. 

do you know why you didn't get the credit? are you sure you were eligible for them? 

[Hal_Al]

Are you saying you filed a return last year, claiming your dependents, but didn't get anything? Or are you saying you had dependents but didn't file at all and want to do so now?

The money you hear about people getting for just filing a tax return claiming kids requires you to  have some earned income (wages or self employment). Without earned income, you are not eligible for the "refundable" Earned Income Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit.  Both credits are calculated on the amount of earned income you have. No earned income means no "refund". A small amount of earned income means a small refund. The child tax credit does not "kick in" unless you have at least $2500 of earned income.

A child can be the “qualifying child” dependent of any close relative in the household. If you live with someone else, e.g. your parents, it may be better if they claim your child.

Instead, you could allow the non-custodial parent to claim the children.  Non-custodial parents are allowed to claim the child tax credit, but not the Earned income credit.