When Congress passed a stimulus plan earlier this year, it was designed to put additional money in the bank accounts of average Americans at a time of economic uncertainty.

But the program of one-time stimulus payments has yet to benefit thousands of residents in the lower Hudson Valley. That’s because an estimated 16,810 retirees and disabled veterans in Westchester County, 5,662 in Rockland County and 1,260 in Putnam County have not yet filed for their stimulus payments with Uncle Sam, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

To get the stimulus check this year, people must file a tax return, even if they normally are not required to file one.

“Don’t let the economic stimulus payment pass you by,” said Kevin McKeon, a spokesman for the IRS. “If you want the payment this year, you should file by Oct. 15.”

Nationally, the IRS said that it has accounted for nearly 80 percent of the Social Security and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries identified as potentially eligible for stimulus payments. But the tax agency added that it has yet to hear from about 346,000 New Yorkers who receive certain Social Security or Veterans Affairs benefits, despite twice sending them letters about the unclaimed stimulus checks.

“We recognize that there may be older Americans and disabled veterans who still have not filed for their stimulus payment,” McKeon said. “If you know of a friend, neighbor or family members who may be in that situation, please give them a hand if they need it.”

The stimulus payments can be up to $600 for eligible individual taxpayers (or $1,200 for married couples). There also is a $300 payment for each qualifying child.

Ntionally, the IRS has issued $93 billion in economic stimulus payments to 114.8 million individuals and families.

For additional information, call the IRS at 1-866-234-2942.

About a quarter of the nation’s disabled veterans or retirees have yet to claim rebates under President Bush’s $146 billion economic-stimulus plan, the Internal Revenue Service said today.

In New York state, fresh data show that just 67 percent of the 1.3 million potential retiree/disabled veteran filers are accounted for, leaving some 440,000 potential recipients remaining.

In response the Internal Revenue Service has begun a campaign to reach out to those who qualify for the economic stimulus payment but haven’t yet filed to claim it.

They include nearly 30,000 residents of the Lower Hudson Valley. Westchester County accounts for 20,861 of those eligible but who haven’t filed. In Rockland, 6,758 retirees or disabled veterans have yet to claim, while in Putnam, 1,704 are eligible.

Of the top 20 cities statewide, Yonkers at No. 4, Mount Vernon at No. 12, New Rochelle at No. 13 and White Plains at No. 16 account have more than 10,500 of the state’s retirees and disabled veterans who have yet to file to receive the payment.

The stimulus plan allows the 20 million Americans who receive Social Security or Veteran’s Affairs benefits but who don’t normally file income tax returns to receive the minimum payment of $300 ($600 for married couples), plus $300 for each qualifying child.

“Some retirees and others who normally do not file a tax return may be eligible and not know it,” IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said in a written statement.

The IRS could use the public’s help, Shulman said.

“If you know of a retiree or a disabled veteran who might qualify, please pass along the information to them,” he said.

To get the payment, retirees or disabled veterans must fill out a 1040A tax form with basic information, including: name; address; dependents, if any; amount of qualifying income (which must be $3,000 or more); direct deposit information and signatures.

The IRS can issue payments by check, but the agency encourages people to use direct deposit for speedier delivery.

Forms 1040A, along with instructions, are available at www.irs.gov and must be filed by Oct. 15.