The US Constitution requires a census of all residents in the entire country every 10 years. The census counts every person living in the US once (and only once) in the right place. You are counted based on where you are living on April 1, 2020. Please encourage individuals that you serve to participate.
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ALL TO PARTICIPATE:
Fair representation & legislative redistricting
The Census determines:
- How many seats PA has in the US House of Representatives
- How US congressional and state legislative districts are redrawn
$675+ billion in federal public funding
The Census determines how much funding each state receives for the next 10 years.
Pennsylvania receives $26.8 billion each year
That’s $2,000 per Pennsylvanian
The data collected in the 2020 Census will impact the amount of federal funding our communities get for the next decade for programs like…
- Medicare (Part B)
- Medicaid
- CHIP
- WIC
- Healthcare Centers
2020 Census will determine how much food support children, adults, and seniors receive…
- SNAP
- School Breakfast Program
- National School Lunch Program
- Children and Adult Care Food Program
2020 Census will determine how much we invest in the future of our children…
- Federal Pell Grants
- Federal Direct Student Loans
- Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
- Special Education Grants
- Head Start
2020 Census will determine how much PA’s highways, railways, airports, and ports receive…
- Highway Planning and Construction
- Federal Transit Formula Grants
- Federal Transit Capital Investment Grants
2020 Census will determine how much safe affordable housing will be available…
- Very Low to Moderate Income Housing Loans
- Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers
- Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments
- Public and Indian Housing
- Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Entitlement Program
- Public Housing Capital Fund
2020 Census determines how much funding rural areas receive for services and infrastructure…
- Rural Electrification Loans and Loan Guarantees
- Water and Waste Disposal Systems for Rural Communities
- Rural Rental Assistance Payments
- Business and Industry Loans
- Cooperative Extension Services
2020 Census determines how much support our children and families receive…
- TANF
- Title IV-E Foster Care
- Unemployment Insurance Administration
- Adoption Assistance
- Child Care Mandatory and Matching Funds
Your census responses can never be used against you. Under Title 13 of the US Code, the US Census Bureau cannot release any information about an individual. Your answers can only be used to produce statistics.
Census employees and contractors are sworn for life to always protect your information. Violators face fines up to $250,000 and up to five years in prison.
Your information is protected from cyber-attacks, threats, and leaks. The bureau’s cybersecurity meets the highest federal standards for system protection. Your information is protected no matter if you respond online, by phone, or by mail.
If you respond online, make sure the website address begins with HTTPS and includes a lock symbol.
Census workers will never ask for your SSN, banking information, money, or anything on behalf of a political party.
Real census workers carry identification. They will have an official ID badge with photo, a US Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date. You can call 800-923-8282 to verify a worker’s identity.
Report suspicious activity. Call your local police department if you receive a visitor falsely claiming to be representing the US Census Bureau.
April 1, 2020 is National Census Day
- Participate in the census online, by mail, or by phone.
- If you’re living in Pennsylvania on April 1, 2020, you are a resident.
- Count every person living in your home on April 1, 2020.
Join in community outreach. Learn more and download resources at the official website.