Stand up for the facts!

Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy.
We need your help.

More Info

I would like to contribute

Sara Swann
By Sara Swann January 17, 2024

No, President Joe Biden didn’t announce $6,400 government subsidies for all Americans

If Your Time is short

  • President Joe Biden has not announced a $6,400 government subsidy. The video’s audio was edited to sound like Biden.

  • The link included with the post is not affiliated with the federal government.

  • Learn more about PolitiFact’s fact-checking process and rating system.

Social media users are claiming President Joe Biden has announced thousands of dollars in government subsidies. But this is no new stimulus; it’s a scam.

A Jan. 12 Facebook post showed clips of Biden speaking and people celebrating. In the video, Biden appeared to say, "Those who haven’t received the $6,400 stimulus yet are in luck! We extended the enrollment period, allowing most Americans to qualify for immediate approval for this money."

The video claimed the money "comes within minutes" and can be spent on "whatever you want," including groceries, gasoline, lottery tickets and beer.

(Screengrab from Facebook)

But that’s not Biden promoting a government subsidy. The audio has been edited to sound like the president.

Sign up for PolitiFact texts

This post was flagged as part of Meta’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram.)

A reverse-image search confirmed that the video of Biden was from a Jan. 5 campaign event in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Biden didn't mention a government subsidy.

Misleading posts promising free and fast money are common on social media platforms. PolitiFact has debunked similar claims in the past.

This Facebook post’s audio said to receive the $6,400 government subsidy, people can click the link below the video, answer a few questions and make a "30-second phone call." People earning less than $50,000 a year who are not on Medicaid are eligible, it claims.

However, the link leads to a webpage with the URL "myobamacarerates.us" that’s not affiliated with the U.S. government. The site says, "Congress announces $6,400 subsidy available to all Americans."

The site also includes a disclaimer that it is not endorsed by the U.S. government or Medicare.

We searched and found neither news articles nor federal announcements about a $6,400 subsidy for Americans.

The U.S. government warns that offers of free money or government grants are often scams. Government-funded financial assistance programs are offered only through official government websites.

The Federal Trade Commission’s website offers tips for avoiding and reporting these scams.

We rate the claim that a video shows Biden promoting a $6,400 government subsidy False.

Our Sources

Facebook post (archived), Jan. 12, 2024

MyObamaCareRates.us archived site, accessed Jan. 16, 2024

Reverse-image search using Google, Jan. 16, 2024

The Washington Post’s YouTube account, "WATCH: Biden delivers remarks at campaign event in Valley Forge, Pa.," Jan. 5, 2024

Federal Trade Commission, "Government Grant Scams | Consumer Advice," August 2022

USA.gov, "Avoid ‘free money’ from the government scams," Nov. 7, 2023

PolitiFact, "Don’t fall for this scam: the U.S. isn’t giving everyone $6,400," Nov. 29, 2023

PolitiFact, "This online offer of a $5,000 stimulus loan is too good to be true because it’s not," Jan. 6, 2023

PolitiFact, "Scam alert: U.S. government isn’t giving out $6,400 subsidies through Inflation Reduction Act update," Dec. 8, 2023

Browse the Truth-O-Meter

More by Sara Swann

No, President Joe Biden didn’t announce $6,400 government subsidies for all Americans

Support independent fact-checking.
Become a member!

In a world of wild talk and fake news, help us stand up for the facts.

Sign me up