Government checks and payments

Find out why you received a check from the government

• Look for the agency or reason for the payment in the memo area below your address or in the “issue type” sections of the check.
• Look up the authorizing agency directly and contact them to find out why they sent the payment.
• Verify that the check is legitimate:
  • Use the Treasury Check Verification System to confirm that the check you received is legitimate and issued by the government.
  • View this diagram of a sample Treasury check. Scroll halfway down the page to see the diagram labeled "Check Information". 

Learn how to report lost, missing, stolen, or expired federal payments

Report your lost, missing, stolen, or expired federal check or direct deposit to the agency that issued the payment: 

• Look up the authorizing agency directly using the A-Z Index of U.S. government departments and agencies.
• Learn how to get help with Social Security, food stamp (SNAP), welfare (TANF), and veterans benefit payments.
• Find out what to do about issues with direct deposit payments from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

To get an update on your claim, contact the Bureau of the Fiscal Service Call Center at 1-855-868-0151.

Learn how to make a payment to the federal government and where to get help

Use Pay.gov to make secure electronic payments to government agencies from your checking or savings account.

In most cases, you can look up the authorizing agency directly to get help with questions about:

• The money you owe
• Refunds
• The status of an application or case

Visit Pay.gov’s support page to search for forms to make payments or get contact information to speak to Pay.gov directly.