False: Americans must fill out the census to get a stimulus check during the coronavirus emergency.

By: Devika Kandelwal
December 22 2020

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The 2020 consensus website refuted the claim and explained that "census responses are not tied to potential stimulus packages."When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States, which forced the government to shut down the country, the Trump administration and the Congress announced their intention to send direct cash payments within weeks to US citizens as part of a stimulus package to combat the economic impact of the novel coronavirus. At the same time, several viral posts circulating on social media in March 2020 claimed that Americans had to fill out the census to be eligible for the stimulus check. However, that was not true. 2020 consensus website refuted the claim and explained that: "Your answers cannot be used to impact your eligibility for any government benefits, including any potential stimulus package. The Census Bureau is bound by Title 13 of the U.S. Code to keep your information confidential, and the answers you provide are used only to produce statistics." The president signed a $2 trillion stimulus package into law on March 27. The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19 including symptoms, prevention and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organisation or your national healthcare authority.