Introduction
Looking for information about the $1702 stimulus payment date and wondering when that money’s actually gonna hit your bank account? Yeah, I’ve been there too – refreshing my banking app like it’s gonna make the deposit appear faster.
Let me save you some time and frustration right off the bat: there’s a lot of confusing information floating around about stimulus payments, tax refunds, and government benefits. Some of it’s legit, some of it’s outdated, and some of it’s just straight-up wrong.
I spent way too many hours digging through IRS notices, government websites, and actual payment schedules to figure out what’s really going on with these payments. Here’s everything I learned, minus the government jargon that makes your eyes glaze over.
What’s This $1702 Payment Everyone’s Talking About?
First things first – let’s clear up what this payment actually is, because there’s been a lot of confusion.
The $1702 amount keeps popping up in searches, but it’s not a new stimulus check like the ones we got during the pandemic. What people are usually referring to is one of these:
Social Security payment adjustments – Recipients sometimes get lump sum back payments or adjustments that can add up to around this amount.
Tax refunds with credits – When you claim certain tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit, your refund can hit this range.
State-specific relief payments – Some states issued their own economic relief payments that landed in this ballpark.
Veterans benefits adjustments – VA benefits sometimes get recalculated with back pay that totals around $1700.
I know it’s frustrating that there’s no single answer here. The amount varies based on your specific situation – your income, your filing status, what benefits you receive, and where you live.
Why the Confusion About Payment Dates?
Here’s what drives me nuts about trying to find accurate payment date information: everyone’s situation is different, and the government doesn’t exactly make it easy to track.
I’ve watched friends get their payments on completely different days even though they filed their taxes the same week. I’ve seen Social Security recipients get adjusted payments on random Wednesdays that nobody predicted.
The reality is that payment dates depend on:
- How you filed (electronically vs. paper)
- Your banking institution
- Which specific program the payment is from
- Whether there are any holds or verification needs
- Sometimes just random processing delays
Breaking Down the Different $1702 Stimulus Payment Date Scenarios
If You’re Waiting on a Tax Refund
This is probably the most common reason people are looking for a $1702 payment date.
When you file your taxes and claim credits like the EITC or additional Child Tax Credit, your refund can easily hit this amount or higher. I filed mine in February last year and my refund was $1,847 – close enough to make me wonder if this is what people were searching for.
The typical timeline:
If you filed electronically with direct deposit (the fastest option):
- Expect your refund within 21 days of the IRS accepting your return
- Most people see it in 10-14 days if everything’s clean
- It can take longer if the IRS needs to verify anything
If you filed a paper return:
- You’re looking at 6-8 weeks minimum
- Sometimes longer during peak filing season
- Seriously, don’t file paper returns unless you absolutely have to
How to track it:
The IRS has a tool called “Where’s My Refund?” that I’ve used probably twenty times. You’ll need:
- Your Social Security number
- Your filing status
- The exact refund amount you’re expecting
The tool updates once a day, usually overnight. Stop checking it every hour – I learned that lesson the hard way when it made me paranoid that something was wrong.
My personal experience:
I filed electronically on February 12th last year. The IRS accepted it on February 14th. I checked the tracking tool obsessively (don’t be like me). The money hit my account on February 28th – exactly 14 days later.
But my friend who filed the same week? Hers took 25 days because the IRS wanted to verify her dependent information. Nothing was wrong, it just took longer.
Social Security Recipients and Supplemental Payments
If you’re getting Social Security benefits, sometimes adjustments or back payments can total around $1702.
This happens when:
- There’s a recalculation of benefits you were owed
- Cost of living adjustments get applied retroactively
- Previous underpayments get corrected
- You qualified for benefits earlier than when they started
Social Security payment schedule:
Regular Social Security payments follow a predictable schedule based on your birth date:
- Born 1st-10th: Payment comes the second Wednesday of the month
- Born 11th-20th: Payment comes the third Wednesday of the month
- Born 21st-31st: Payment comes the fourth Wednesday of the month
But here’s where it gets tricky – supplemental or adjustment payments don’t always follow this schedule. I’ve seen people get surprise deposits on random days when the Social Security Administration processed their adjustment.
Checking your payment status:
Log into your my Social Security account online. It shows:
- Your payment history
- Scheduled payment dates
- Any adjustments or supplemental amounts
If you don’t have an online account yet, set one up. It’s way easier than calling and waiting on hold for an hour.
State Economic Relief Payments
Several states sent out their own relief payments over the past couple years. Depending on where you live, you might have qualified for payments in this range.
States that issued payments:
California sent Middle Class Tax Refunds ranging from $200-$1,050 depending on income and dependents. Some families got amounts close to $1700 when you combined household payments.
Colorado issued TABOR refunds – amounts varied but some residents got payments in this ballpark.
Other states like Georgia, Virginia, and New Mexico also sent relief payments at various times.
The frustrating part:
State payment dates varied wildly. Some states sent them all at once, others spread them out over months. Some used direct deposit, others mailed checks.
I live in California and got my Middle Class Tax Refund in November 2022 via direct deposit. My neighbor got hers in January 2023 as a debit card in the mail. Same qualifications, totally different timing.
Finding your state payment information:
Check your state’s tax or revenue department website. They usually have dedicated pages for relief payment programs with FAQs and tracking tools.
Veterans Benefits and Adjustments
VA benefits sometimes get recalculated with back pay that can total amounts in the $1700 range.
This happens when:
- Your disability rating gets increased retroactively
- Claims get approved with effective dates in the past
- Dependent information changes affect your payment amounts
- Cost of living adjustments get applied
VA payment schedule:
Regular VA benefits typically pay on the first business day of the month. But back pay and adjustment payments can come at different times depending on when the claim was processed.
Tracking VA payments:
Log into VA.gov and check your payment history. You can see:
- Scheduled payments
- Payment amounts and dates
- Any pending claims that might result in back pay
How to Actually Find Your Specific $1702 Stimulus Payment Date
Okay, so you know generally what type of payment you’re expecting. Now how do you find out when it’s actually coming?
For Tax Refunds
Go to IRS.gov and click on “Where’s My Refund?”
Enter your info (SSN, filing status, refund amount)
Check the status – it’ll show one of three stages:
- Return received
- Refund approved
- Refund sent
Once it says “refund sent,” you’ll see the date it’s scheduled to hit your account
The tool is pretty reliable once the IRS has accepted your return. Before that, it won’t show anything useful.
Pro tip: Enable direct deposit with your bank if you haven’t already. It’s way faster than waiting for a check in the mail.
For Social Security Payments
Create or log into your my Social Security account
Navigate to “Payment History” or “Benefits & Payments”
Look for any notices about adjustments or supplemental payments
Check the payment schedule based on your birth date for regular payments
If you’re expecting an adjustment payment and don’t see information online, you might need to call Social Security. Yeah, I know, nobody wants to do that. But sometimes it’s the only way to get a real answer.
The phone number is 1-800-772-1213. Call right when they open (8 AM local time) to avoid the worst of the wait times.
For State Relief Payments
This one’s harder because every state does it differently.
What worked for me:
Google “[your state] economic relief payment” or “[your state] tax refund status”
Look for official .gov websites for your state’s tax or revenue department
Check if they have a tracking tool or payment schedule posted
Sign up for any available notifications or alerts
Some states sent emails or letters before payments went out. Others just deposited the money with no warning. It’s all over the place.
For VA Benefits
Log into VA.gov with your ID.me or DS Logon credentials
Go to “VA Payment History”
Check for any scheduled payments or recent deposits
Review any pending claims that might result in payments
You can also call the VA at 1-800-827-1000, but like with Social Security, expect a wait.
What to Do If Your Payment Is Delayed
I’ve had payments delayed before, and it’s incredibly frustrating when you’re counting on that money. Here’s what actually helps.
First, Verify Your Information Is Correct
Before you panic, double-check:
- Your bank account information is accurate
- Your address is up to date
- Your direct deposit info hasn’t changed
- There are no holds on your bank account
I had a payment delayed once because I’d switched banks and forgot to update my direct deposit information with the IRS. The payment got rejected by my old bank and had to be reissued as a check. That added three extra weeks.
Check for Common Issues
For tax refunds:
The IRS might need to verify your identity or information. You’ll usually get a letter if this is the case.
Math errors on your return can slow things down. The IRS will correct them but it takes extra processing time.
Claiming certain credits (like EITC or ACTC) means your refund can’t be issued before mid-February by law. This trips people up every year.
For Social Security:
Bank account issues are common. Make sure your bank accepts direct deposits from the federal government.
Name mismatches between your Social Security account and bank account can cause problems.
For state payments:
Eligibility verification can take time. Some states are really thorough about confirming you qualified.
When to Actually Contact Someone
Give it the expected processing time first. I know that’s not what you want to hear, but contacting them too early just wastes your time.
My Experience with a Delayed Payment
Last year, my tax refund got delayed by three weeks. The “Where’s My Refund?” tool just kept saying “processing” with no updates.
I finally called the IRS (after waiting on hold for 47 minutes). Turns out they were verifying my dependent’s Social Security number against school records. Everything was correct, it just took extra time.
The representative couldn’t speed it up, but at least I knew nothing was actually wrong. The refund came two weeks later.
The lesson? Sometimes delays are just processing backlogs. It sucks, but there’s not always something you can do to fix it faster.
Avoiding Scams About Stimulus Payments
Real talk – there are so many scams around stimulus payments and government money. I’ve seen them targeting my parents, my friends, random people on social media.
Red Flags to Watch For
Someone contacts you first claiming you’re owed money
The government doesn’t call, text, or email you out of the blue about payments. If someone reaches out to you claiming you have unclaimed stimulus money, it’s a scam.
They ask for payment to “release” your funds
You never have to pay to receive government payments. Never. Anyone asking for payment upfront is scamming you.
They want your bank login credentials
Government agencies will never ask for your online banking username and password. They only need routing and account numbers for direct deposit, and even then, only through official channels.
The website looks sketchy
Always verify you’re on official .gov websites. Scammers create fake sites that look similar to trick people.
They pressure you to act immediately
“This offer expires in 24 hours!” is classic scam language. Government payments don’t work like that.
How to Verify Information Is Legit
Only trust information from:
- Official .gov websites
- Letters you receive directly from government agencies (with their official letterhead)
- Your online accounts on official government portals
If someone tells you about a payment, verify it independently. Don’t click links they send you. Go directly to the official website yourself.
I’ve gotten probably five different scam texts about stimulus payments over the past two years. They all wanted me to click a link or provide information. I deleted every single one and went to the actual IRS website to check my status.
Planning for When Your Payment Arrives
Once you know your $1702 stimulus payment date is coming up, it’s smart to have a plan for that money.
If You’re Behind on Bills
I’ve been there. When you’re waiting on a payment because you need to catch up on rent or utilities, the stress is real.
Priority order I learned:
- Housing (rent/mortgage)
- Utilities that could get shut off
- Transportation (car payment if you need it for work)
- Food
- Other bills
It’s tempting to split it evenly across everything, but focusing on the most critical needs first makes more sense.
If You’re Caught Up on Essentials
Lucky you. Seriously, that’s great.
Consider:
- Building an emergency fund if you don’t have one
- Paying down high-interest debt
- Necessary expenses you’ve been putting off
- Small treat for yourself (you’re allowed to enjoy life)
I put $1,200 of my tax refund into a high-yield savings account as an emergency fund. Three months later, my car needed a $600 repair. That emergency fund saved me from having to put it on a credit card.
Avoiding Lifestyle Inflation
When you get a chunk of money, there’s this temptation to immediately upgrade your life.
I watched a friend get a $2,000 tax refund and immediately finance a new TV and some other stuff. Within two months, he was stressed about the payment plans he’d signed up for.
Just because you got a lump sum doesn’t mean your regular income changed. Be smart about how you use it.
Real Talk About Future Payments
Here’s something nobody really likes to hear: unless there’s a new economic crisis or major legislation, we probably won’t see widespread stimulus checks like we did during the pandemic.
What Payments Are Ongoing
Regular tax refunds – These happen every year if you overpay your taxes or qualify for refundable credits.
Social Security benefits – Monthly payments for eligible recipients with cost of living adjustments.
Veterans benefits – Regular monthly payments for eligible veterans.
State-specific programs – Some states have ongoing tax relief or refund programs.
These are predictable and will continue. They’re not one-time stimulus payments, but they’re reliable income sources if you qualify.
Keeping Track of Changes
Tax laws change. Benefit amounts get adjusted. State programs come and go.
What I do:
- Check the IRS website every January for changes to tax credits
- Sign up for email updates from Social Security
- Follow my state’s revenue department on social media for announcements
- Set calendar reminders to check my benefit accounts quarterly
It’s not exciting, but staying informed means you won’t miss out on money you’re entitled to.
FAQ
Will I get a notification before the payment?
Sometimes. The IRS sends letters after issuing refunds. Social Security sends annual statements. States vary wildly. Don’t count on advance notice for everything.
What if my bank account changed?
Update it ASAP with whichever agency is sending the payment. Otherwise, the payment will get rejected and reissued as a check, which takes way longer.
Can I track exactly where my payment is?
For IRS refunds, yes, using their tracking tool. For other payments, it’s hit or miss. Most agencies have some kind of payment history you can check online.
What if I never received a payment I was supposed to get?
Contact the issuing agency. Have your information ready (SSN, case numbers, filing confirmations, etc.). Document everything.
Are these payments taxable?
Depends on what it is. Tax refunds aren’t taxable. Social Security might be depending on your income. State relief payments varied. Check with a tax professional if you’re unsure.
I’ve been through this process multiple times with tax refunds, waiting for money I was counting on, constantly checking my bank app. It’s stressful. But understanding the system makes it a bit less frustrating.
Check the official sources I mentioned, use the tracking tools, and try not to drive yourself crazy refreshing your bank account. The money will come.
