The checks are in the mail.

Or, at least for now, economic stimulus checks promised by the federal government are being deposited in bank accounts of those Americans who have direct deposit.

The Internal Revenue Service began depositing tax rebate checks in thousands of bank accounts Monday as part of a stimulus program aimed at giving the nation's ailing economy a boost.

The goal is to complete 800,000 direct deposit payments each day through Wednesday. No deposits will be made Thursday as the IRS gears up to deposit some 5 million checks on Friday. Paper checks are due to start going out May 9.

Rebates range from $600 for an individual and $1,200 for married couples, plus $300 for each eligible child younger than 17.

The payment schedule covers those who filed early enough to have their tax returns processed by April 15. Unfortunately, the link between the payments and tax returns has led to confusion over who is eligible to receive a payment, especially among low-income people who don't normally file a return, and could indeed use a stimulus check: retirees, Social Security recipients and others with little income.

Because of that, the IRS continues to urge those who did not file returns because they don't owe taxes to go ahead and file to receive an economic stimulus check.

Here's how it works: People who did not have to file but still have at least $3,000 in qualifying income may be eligible for a $300 check (individuals) and $600 (couples), plus $300 per qualifying child. Those who are eligible only need to fill out a federal 1040A that shows they've met the $3,000 threshold in earnings, whether from Social Security, retirement benefits or other income.

Those who aren't sure whether they're eligible should check it out. Details are available on the IRS Web site, www.irs.gov. The deadline to file and receive a stimulus payment is Oct. 15.

Everyone who's eligible should benefit from an infusion of cash that, while not necessarily a cure-all for a flagging economy, is coming at an ideal time for consumers feeling the pinch of rising gas and food prices -- and who know full well that every dollar counts.