Once every decade the United State of American conducts its census. This year’s was set for April 1, 2020, if you haven’t filled out your census forms there is still time.
Results from the 2020 Census will shape how billions of dollars in federal funds are allocated to communities for critical public services such as healthcare, education, infrastructure and public safety. Census statistics aren’t just about which state or city has grown the most over the last 10 years. Statistics compiled from census responses help businesses, researchers and communities make decisions about funding for everything from school buildings and lunches and new bridges or roads, to fire departments, rural assistance programs and more. Knowing who lives throughout the nation means that communities can better support programs and services benefitting people aged 65 and older, low-income people, veterans, children and newborns.
2020 Census statistics also help federal and local lawmakers allocate funding for the next 10 years for critical public services – including how to prepare for, respond to and rebuild after disasters and crisis (such as COVID-19) for things such as unemployment insurance, emergency food assistance, shelter grants and temporary assistance for needy families.
Statistics provided by the 2020 Census helps in the allocation of federal funds for things such as:
- Unemployment insurance
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SHIP)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- School Breakfast Program
- Head Start, nutrition assistance and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, among many others.
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
- Community Development Block Grant Entitlement Program
- Critical public services such as emergency response, hospitals and healthcare, water and waste disposal systems for rural communities
- Rural Business Development Grants and Rural Development Housing Preservation Grants
- Transportation services including maintenance and construction of roads and bridges through the Highway Planning and Construction Program
- Federal Transit Capital Investment Grants that can be used for Water Pollution Control Grants as well as public transportation
- Emergency Watershed Protection Program, Hazardous Waste Management State Program Support and the Wildlife Restoration Program
- Critical public services including hospitals, schools, roads and bridges, which in turn generate opportunities for private sector businesses
- Health clinics or senior citizen centers
- Home-delivered meals and job training for those 65+
- Federal Pell Grants for college students, adult education grants and agriculture / science / engineering education
- Programs focused on school safety, mental health services and student wellness
Here are 10 tips for responding to the 2020 Census It’s now time to respond to the 2020 Census! The U.S. Census Bureau has been preparing for this once-a-decade population count for years. The question is: Are you ready?
Here are 10 quick tips to help you to respond and it should take just a few minutes:
1. If you don’t regularly check the mail, please do so now. By now, most households have received at least one invite to respond to the 2020 Census, which includes instructions for how to respond online, by phone, or by mail.
2. Even if you don’t get an invitation in the mail, you can go online at 2020census.gov and respond now. You don’t have to wait for the paper questionnaire to arrive either.
3. Your name isn’t on it. The invitation will be addressed to “Resident” – that’s you (and everyone in your household). Don’t throw it out just because your name isn’t on it. But do be aware of scam and fraud mail – learn more here. 4. Determine how you will respond: online, by phone, or by mail. If you want to answer on paper, you can. Paper questionnaires are arriving by mail to households that haven’t yet responded.
5. Responding online is easy. Your invitation includes a Census ID number. But if you lose it, you can use your address. You can go online on any device including a laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Remember: If you respond online, you must complete the census in one sitting. You will not have the ability to save your progress and come back to finish.
6. You can respond in English and 12 different languages online and by phone. There will be a drop-down menu online, or a special phone number on your invitation. Other languages are: Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Russian, Arabic, Tagalog, Polish, French, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, and Japanese. The Census Bureau also offers webpages and guides in 59 non-English languages, including American Sign Language, and guides in Braille and large print.
7. On the paper questionnaire use blue or black ink – no pencils! You can write in the margins, though, if you need space. Be sure to return the questionnaire in the envelope provided. If you lost it, return it to: U.S. Census Bureau, National Processing Center, 1201 E 10th Street, Jeffersonville, IN 47132.
8. Figure out who is “Person 1/Head of Household.” If you’re the only person in your home, then you are Person 1. If more than one person lives in your home, Person 1 is generally someone whose name is on the mortgage or rental agreement and who is over age 15.
9. Count everyone who lives in your home – including children. Count everyone who lives and sleeps in your home most of the time, including relatives, friends and others. Learn more about who to count and special circumstances for specific groups of people such as military. If more than 10 people live in your home, respond online at 2020census.gov where there is plenty of space.
10. Respond as soon as you can. Respond on your own now to avoid a visit from a census taker later this year. Learn more at 2020census.gov.
Of course, there are several other benefits to completing the 2020 Census.
