The stimulus payments were delivered several different ways, usually the way the person gets their tax refund or other government payments if how they received the payment. If the survivor's benefits are direct deposited, check that account.
If he is claimed as a dependent for 2021, he won't be eligible for a payment or the Recovery Rebate Credit. Whoever claims him as a dependent should get that payment/credit as well as a Child Tax Credit since the child tax credit has been expanded to include 17 year-olds for tax year 2021.
Check his "IRS Your Online Account" to see what is reported by the IRS for payments issued to him. (that online service is more reliable than the letters)
Yes, if he is eligible for a payment, and that payment was not received, filing a 2021 Tax Year return is how he would get the credit for the "missing" payment; however it does not sound as if he would be eligible IF he was a dependent in 2021. In that case, his mother should file and claim him as a dependent if she is able. If he is her dependent, she would get the 1,400 as a credit as well as a child tax credit which would be another 3,000 depending on her income and if she received any advance child tax payments.
According to the IRS:
Generally, someone was eligible for the full amount of the third Economic Impact Payment if they:
- are a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien (and their spouse if filing a joint return), and
- are not a dependent of another taxpayer, and
- had adjusted gross income (AGI) that is not more than:
- $150,000 if married and filing a joint return or if filing as a qualifying widow or widower
- $112,500 if filing as head of household or
- $75,000 for any other filing status
IRS Your Online Account
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