Did you receive a COVID-related stimulus payment from the U.S. government this spring?

If the answer is no, you're not alone - and time is running out to claim it.

The Internal Revenue Service says an estimated 131,647 Oregonians are still owed their Economic Impact Payments - money the federal government sent to help people cover expenses amid the COVID pandemic.

Individuals can receive as much as $1,200, and married couples can receive as much as $2,400. Those with qualifying children under age 17 at the end of 2019 can get up to an additional $500 per child.

Add it up, and that's more than $150 million still due to Oregonians.

"This unclaimed money is a big deal for Oregon families," said Treasurer Tobias Read. "It can help with rent and mortgages, with groceries and utilities. I don't want any Oregonian to miss out on financial assistance that can make a difference in their lives."

The deadline to file to receive the stimulus money is October 15, 2020.New from the IRS: the deadline has been extended to November 21, 2020.

The IRS says most of the people who didn't received their payments were lower income earners who weren't required to file taxes in 2018 and 2019. The agency estimates that 8.9 million people nationally are still due payments.

The remedy: help the federal government raise awareness so that no one is left out. And you can help. Share this story, talk to your friends and family members, and check with the IRS to verify eligibility and apply for a payment.

The IRS is also sending letters and engaging with organizations that work with underserved communities, people experiencing homelessness, and those whose primary language isn’t English. Another federal agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, has a good roundup of resources to help community organizations reach people who might be eligible.