Anchor checks arrive on a schedule set by your state, not on demand

Anchor checks — the one-time payments some states sent to residents during the pandemic — came out on different dates depending on which state you lived in. Most states that ran Anchor programs sent their checks between March 2022 and December 2023. If you received one, it arrived by mail or direct deposit according to your state's payment schedule, not because you requested it on a particular date.

The program is now closed in all states. No new Anchor checks are being issued. If you think you should have received a check but did not, or if you received one and it was lost or damaged, your options depend on whether your state's program is still processing replacement requests.

Key Takeaways

  • Anchor checks were sent out between March 2022 and December 2023, with each state on its own timeline — there was no single national send date.
  • Most states sent checks by mail, though some offered direct deposit if you had registered your banking information in advance.
  • The Anchor program ended and is no longer issuing new checks, though some states still process replacement requests for lost or damaged checks.
  • If you did not receive a check you believe you were owed, contact your state's treasury or revenue department to ask whether your state still handles replacements.

How each state scheduled its Anchor payments

States that ran Anchor programs set their own send dates. New Jersey, which had the largest program, began mailing checks in March 2022 and continued through the summer. Illinois started sending in May 2022. Connecticut, Delaware, and Maryland sent theirs in the fall of 2022. Other states like Rhode Island and Vermont sent checks in early 2023. A few states, including Pennsylvania, did not launch their programs until late 2023.

Within each state, the payment schedule often depended on when you filed your tax return or when the state verified your residency. Some states sent checks in batches over several months rather than all at once. If you lived in a state with an Anchor program but did not receive a check during the announced window, it usually meant either the state had not yet processed your information or you did not meet that state's specific rules for who was owed a payment.

Why some people did not receive checks when expected

The most common reason a check did not arrive on schedule was a mismatch between the state's records and your actual address. If you had moved since your last tax filing, or if your mailing address on file with the state was outdated, the check was returned to the state undelivered. Some states held these checks for a period and then destroyed them; others kept them available for residents to claim.

A second reason was that some states required you to have filed a tax return in a specific year — often 2020 or 2021 — to be counted as a resident. If you did not file in that year, or if you filed in a different state, you would not have been sent a check even if you lived in the state when the program ran. A third reason was income limits: some states only sent checks to people below a certain income threshold, and if your income exceeded that limit, you were not included.

How to learn about your state still processes replacement checks

If you believe you should have received an Anchor check but did not, start by searching "[your state] Anchor check" along with "replacement" or "unclaimed." This will usually lead you to your state's treasury or revenue department page about the program. Some states, like New Jersey, set up dedicated claim processes for people who did not receive their original check.

Call your state's treasury or revenue department directly and ask whether the Anchor program is still accepting replacement requests. Have your Social Security number and the address where you lived during the program period ready. The department can tell you whether a check was issued in your name, whether it was returned undelivered, and whether you can still claim it. If your state's program has closed and no longer processes claims, the money is typically considered unclaimed and may be held by your state's unclaimed property office, though recovery is not may provide.

What to do if your check arrived but you lost it

If you received an Anchor check but lost it, damaged it, or never cashed it, contact your state's treasury or revenue department and explain what happened. Some states will issue a replacement check if you can show you are the rightful recipient. You may need to provide a copy of your ID and proof of your address at the time the check was sent.

If the check was lost in the mail, the state may ask you to wait a certain period — often 60 to 90 days — before issuing a replacement, in case the original check is still in transit. If the check was damaged or partially destroyed, bring what remains of it to your state's treasury office or mail it to the address they provide. Some states will not replace a check if you cannot produce the original or a reasonable explanation of what happened to it.

Direct deposit as an alternative to mailed checks

A few states offered direct deposit for Anchor checks if you had registered your banking information with the state in advance — usually through your tax return or a state portal. Direct deposit payments arrived faster and were not at risk of being lost in the mail. However, most states that ran Anchor programs defaulted to mailing checks, and direct deposit was only available if you had actively chosen it beforehand.

If you registered for direct deposit but did not see a payment in your account during the window when your state was sending checks, contact your state's revenue department and ask them to verify whether a deposit was attempted. Sometimes direct deposit payments fail if your bank account information was incorrect or if your account had been closed since you registered it. The state may be able to reissue the payment by check or attempt the deposit again if you provide updated banking information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still get an Anchor check if I missed the original send date?

It depends on your state. Some states still process replacement or late claims, while others closed their programs entirely. Contact your state's treasury or revenue department and ask whether they are still handling Anchor requests. If your state's program is closed, the unclaimed money may be held by your state's unclaimed property office, though you would need to search for it separately.

What if I moved after the check was sent?

If the check was mailed to an old address and returned to the state, contact your state's treasury department and provide your current address. Some states will reissue a check to your new address if you can prove you are the rightful recipient. Have your ID and proof of your current address ready.

Do I have to pay taxes on an Anchor check?

No. Anchor checks were one-time pandemic relief payments and were not taxable income. You do not report them on your federal or state tax return, and receiving one does not affect your tax filing.

What if I never received notification that I was owed an Anchor check?

Not all states sent advance notice to residents. Some straightforward mailed checks to addresses on file without announcing the program widely. If you think you may have been owed a check, contact your state's treasury or revenue department with your Social Security number and ask them to search their records for any Anchor payments issued in your name.