Census 101: What you need to know for the 2020 census

2020 is a census year, and by congressional mandate, it is required for everyone to participate.

Here’s what you need to know to be prepared:

Starting on March 12, census self-responses will be available by phone or online. The number to call and website to visit will be published at www.census2020.gove at that time. Starting in April, the paper self-response questionnaires will be mailed out to households that have not responded by phone or email.

“Self-response is the preferred method because we find that it is the most accurate,” Assistant Regional Census Manager Lisa Moore said. “People tend to be more willing to be completely honest when they’re doing it themselves.”

If the census bureau has not received your information by mid-May, door-to-door census workers will go around to collect the information in person.

They will not ask about anything that is not on the official census form.

“We want to make sure that everyone understands that a real census worker will only ask you for the basic information that is required for the census,” Moore said. “We do not ask for money, your social security number, bank information, or for contributions of any kind to any political party.”

If anyone comes to your door—or attempts to call you— asking for any of these things, they are a scammer. Do not give them information, and contact the police.

The information collected for the 2020 census is basic statistical data, including your name, date of birth, age, race, gender, and if you are a homeowner or a renter. Providing this information through one of the three self-response methods only takes a few minutes. It may take longer depending on the number of people in your household.

Moore stressed that the information collected is kept confidential. When data is turned over to the president at the end of the year, and to state governments in March of 2021, none of the information provided will be able to identify individuals.

2020 census data is used for two things: power and money.

According to Moore, “the population data dictates political representation for New York State in the House of Representatives. Also, depending on populations, state legislative district and school district lines can get redrawn.”

The data will also determine how $675 billion in federallyfunded programs such as SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, hospitals, and transportation will be distributed.

The motto of the census bureau is “safe, easy, important.” The information collected for the 2020 census will be protected, and not used for any other purpose. It does not take long to complete. And it’s required by federal law.

“We want to shape our future,” Moore commented. “It’s so important that everyone completes the census.”

Anyone who is looking for a part-time job with flexible hours is encouraged to apply at www.2020census.gov/jobs.

A résumé is not required, and you will be working in your own community. Census workers are paid $20/ hour.

For more information about the 2020 census, visit www.2020census.gov.

JOHN AMIS—ASSOCIATED PRESS In this Aug. 13, 2019, file photo a worker gets ready to pass out instructions in how fill out the 2020census during a town hall meeting in Lithonia, Ga. The U.S. Census Bureau says a test for the 2020census shows having a question about citizenship didn’t have much of an impact on response rates for the general population, though responses by Hispanics were down slightly.

J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE—ASSOCIATED PRESS In this April 23, 2019file photo, immigration activists rally outside the Supreme Court as the justices hear arguments over the Trump administration’s plan to ask about citizenship on the 2020census, in Washington.