About 17,865 Rhode Islanders have yet to claim about $5.4 million in federal economic stimulus rebates, according to the latest figures from the Internal Revenue Service.

People eligible to receive the money have until Oct. 15 to file a 2007 tax return to claim a rebate check. Of the 17,865, 71 percent are aged 65 and older. Anyone who may be eligible to receive a payment but who normally does not file a tax return must file one to receive the money. Many people on fixed incomes such as veterans receiving disability benefits or retirees relying on Social Security benefits are eligible for $300.

“There is still time for those eligible to claim their federal check. In particular, even if you normally do not file a return, it is critical that you do so by next Wednesday’s deadline to claim your stimulus payment,” said U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, who released the information from the IRS..

To inquire about eligibility, receive help with the filing process or have any other questions regarding the economic stimulus, call the IRS taxpayer assistance line at (800) 829-1040 or go to the Web site at www.irs.gov/

Kennedy said many seniors and families are struggling to make ends meet and the rebate could help with winter bills, such as heating costs.

U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse is scheduled to visit the Woonsocket Senior Center today to urge Rhode Islanders to take advantage of this assistance. He said that in Woonsocket, nearly 1,000 residents have yet to file, the highest number of any community in the state. Representatives from the IRS will join Whitehouse to answer questions from local seniors and help people file for payments.

“Thousands of Rhode Island seniors are struggling every day to get by. It’s important that they know Congress has made this assistance available, and what they need to do now to get it,” said Whitehouse, a member of the Senate Budget and Aging Committees.

According to information provided by Whitehouse, more than 138,000 retired Rhode Islanders received Social Security benefits last year with payments averaging just $12,956 per year.

The stimulus package that was passed by Congress and signed into law extended the rebate program to include seniors living on Social Security benefits and disabled veterans or their survivors. The tax-free rebates were sent automatically to eligible Americans who filed a federal income tax return for 2007.