More than 7,000 DuPage County residents eligible for economic stimulus checks from $300 to $1,200 still have time to file tax returns to claim them, but the deadline is approaching.

According a release Tuesday from the United Way of the DuPage Area, the Internal Revenue Service released data last month that shows more than $2.2 million in stimulus payments remain unclaimed by 7,367 residents in DuPage County – specifically, those residents who do not normally file federal income tax returns because their income is low.

Those residents include senior citizens, people with disabilities, veterans, Social Security recipients, retired railroad workers and low-income workers who earned at least $3,000 in 2007, the release said.

The deadline for filing taxes to receive the stimulus payment is Oct. 15.

Those eligible to receive a stimulus payment include individuals who make at least $3,000 in qualifying income. Qualifying income includes earned income, such as wages and net self-employment income, as well as Social Security or certain railroad retirement benefits. Veterans' disability compensation, pension and survivors' benefits received from the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2007 also qualify.

The United Way of the DuPage area is encouraging  lower-income residents who want to file their federal taxes and claim their economic stimulus payment to visit the local IRS office at 2001 Butterfield Road, in Downers Grove.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides free federal tax return preparation services for families with annual incomes under $40,000.  Eligible people have until Oct. 15th to file for their payments.

“Throughout the DuPage area, thousands of individuals are missing out on these payments that can help during these tough economic times” said Christine Lewis, Chief Professional Officer of United Way of the DuPage Area.  “We want to let them know they are eligible, and that they must file before the October 15th deadline.”