In coming weeks, the IRS will mail reminders to file to 130 million people eligible for rebates.

Giving them a role in jump-starting the flagging economy, Congress decided seniors and the disabled would get tax-rebate checks as part of a $168 billion economic stimulus plan passed earlier this year.

The only problem: Many of them either don't know it or don't know they need to file a tax return to get their share, local community advocates fear.

As a result, potentially thousands of the 3.2 million Floridians whose sole income is from Social Security or disability payments might not get the $300 checks pledged by the government.

Other taxpayers will be sent checks for $600 automatically when they file returns, $1,200 for couples filing jointly.

''We know many seniors in Florida are struggling now with the increased cost of gas, healthcare and insurance . . . these additional funds are going to be important,'' said Lori Parham, state director for Florida's AARP. The organization is doing outreach to inform members about the rebates, she said.

The efforts of AARP and other local groups come as the Internal Revenue Service ramps up its own campaign to ensure everyone gets their hands on money the government hopes will spark a nationwide spending spree to revive the economy.

The IRS will mail reminders to file to 130 million people eligible for rebates. The Human Service Coalition will send volunteers into senior centers to help.

The need arises from a provision in the economic package that provides rebates only to taxpayers filing returns on income of more than $3,000. Social Security payments, railroad retirement benefits, pension and VA survivors benefits count toward the minimum income threshold.

For people receiving Social Security, filing will not be difficult, says the IRS. But it's likely something many have not done in years.

Take Luci Labernie, 73, of Miami. She hasn't filed a tax return since she was 52.

''You don't get to be old being stupid,'' Labernie quipped when asked if she could figure out the 1040A tax form. She said she was just waiting for the post office to mail her the form.

She may be waiting a long time, though, because the IRS can't yet say whether it will mail the forms directly to seniors. In the interim, people should call the IRS to request a form or visit a tax preparation site or IRS office to pick one up, local IRS spokesman Mike Dobzinski said.

The uncertainty highlights some of the issues organizations such as South Florida Urban Ministries are trying to sort out as people call with questions about the process.

''People want to know how much they're getting or whether they still have to file,'' said Lars Gilberts, the organization's director of operations, who said he was fielding calls daily. ``There's a lot of misinformation out there rather than a lack of information.''

Despite questions, Dobzinski emphasized the process is not at all complicated.

''File a tax return with a valid Social Security number and the IRS will do the rest,'' he said.

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