Seniors, the government owes 5.2 million of you some money. The Internal Revenue Service says that’s how many qualifying retirees and veterans haven’t taken advantage of the economic stimulus payment from the IRS. News stories around the country are noting the numbers for different areas—in Illinois alone, more than 210,000 seniors and veterans, including 134,000 in the Chicago metropolitan area, haven’t filed taxes to claim the rebate money.

While the rebate checks arrive automatically to those who file taxes yearly, those who haven’t had to file in the past need to make an effort to get their money.

To help them out, the IRS announced in July that it would send a second set of information packets to those 5.2 million who hadn’t filed their taxes—part of a summer campaign titled “It’s Not Too Late to File.” The packages contain everything needed by someone who normally doesn’t have a filing requirement but who has to file this year because of the rebate. Included in the packet are instructions, a sample Form 1040A return showing the few lines that need to be completed, and a blank 1040A form. The IRS said the packages were mailed over a three-week period starting July 21, so if you’re one of the 5.2 million, you should have received your packet. To get your payment this year, you’ll need to return the forms before October 15.

“All it takes is a few simple steps, and the payment can be on its way,” IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said in a press release.

Nina Olson, national taxpayer advocate for the IRS, told CNN that seniors’ lack of access to and experience with computers and the Internet are obstacles to their participation. She also said that some seniors believe the filing process is too cumbersome and complicated. “I think there are some natural barriers to getting some folks to want to file a return again,” she said.

Filing taxes this year doesn’t mean that seniors who had stopped filing yearly will have to start doing so again. And it doesn’t mean they will owe taxes either, according to U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), chairman of the Senate appropriations subcommittee with jurisdiction over the IRS budget.

The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 created a special category for people who have certain types of income but don’t file a tax return because their income is too low or their income is nontaxable. This affects many Social Security beneficiaries, as well as disabled veterans and their widows, who do not normally file tax returns. People in this category must have at least $3,000 in qualifying income to be eligible for the minimum rebate of $300 ($600 married filing jointly). Qualifying income is the total of Social Security, Veterans Affairs, and/or Railroad Retirement benefits plus earned income, including nontaxable combat pay. People receiving only Supplemental Security Income are not eligible.

The stimulus payment will not affect other federal benefits received, and it is not taxable.

Payments are based on 2007 tax returns. Those who don’t file a tax return this year may still receive a stimulus payment by filing a 2008 tax return next spring, but then the payment would be based on 2008 qualifying income.

Durbin cautioned seniors to be wary of telephone calls or emails claiming to be from the IRS and asking for personal or financial information. If you receive one of these calls or emails, do not give out this information. The IRS will not call or email taxpayers about these payments or ask for financial information.

For those needing help with the tax forms, more than 400 local Taxpayer Assistance Centers are available to help retirees and veterans trying to receive their payments. A list of addresses and office hours can be found at http://www.irs.gov/localcontacts/index.html. If you don’t live near one of these centers, you can call the IRS toll free at (800) 829-1040.