Note to Reviewer - Stimulus Question Modification

June 1, 2020

MEMORANDUM FOR: Reviewer of 1220-0196

FROM: ADAM SAFIR, Chief

Division of Consumer Expenditure (CE) Surveys

Bureau of Labor Statistics

SUBJECT: Non-substantive Change Request for the

Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CEX) - Stimulus Question Modification

As part of CE’s ongoing effort to reduce respondent burden and to use clear and understandable question wording, CE plans to update the stimulus payment questions to accurately reflect the various methods of receipt. CE added the stimulus payment questions in order to measure the effect of the stimulus payments sent directly to many households in response to the coronavirus pandemic. These questions are necessary to facilitate a timely and effective collection of expenditure data resulting from the stimulus. Economic data are used to evaluate the intended effect of the stimulus and to adequately explain changes in expenditure patterns that result from the coronavirus pandemic.

Beginning in July, CE will modify the wording of the two stimulus questions below to reflect the possible receipt of the stimulus payment by debit card, in addition to check or direct deposit. (See Attachment A for the full wording of all stimulus questions including the previous versions.)

Q1

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Federal government began sending stimulus payments, that is the coronavirus pandemic-related economic impact payment, directly to many households, either by check, direct deposit, or debit card.

Since the first of [fill: REF_MONTH], have [fill YOU_ANYMEM] received a stimulus payment from the Federal Government?

Do not include refunds on annual income taxes, unemployment compensation, or payments from an employer.

Q2

Was the stimulus payment received by…

1. check?

2. direct deposit?

3. debit card?

BLS estimates that this change will not result in any increase to respondent burden.

Current OMB approval of the stimulus questions in the CE survey is scheduled to expire November 30, 2020.

If you have any questions about this request, please contact Adam Safir at 202-691-5175 or e-mail at [email protected] or Peggy Murphy at 202-691-6186 or e-mail at [email protected].