Census FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ):

General

Who You Should Count?

Operations Resuming?

Setting the Record Straight

Language Support

Question Not Answered here?

 
 

FAQ:

What is the Census?

Every 10 years, people across the country and in California fill out the Census in order to have an accurate count of all the people in the United States.

The Census determines California’s federal funding for important community services that help support our families and fair share of representation in California and Washington DC.

The next Census is in Spring 2020. Let’s ensure all Californians are counted so we can put those resources to good use here at home!

Why should I complete the Census?

The 2020 Census will help decide how billions of dollars will reach our families. Your answers will help determine funding for dozens of programs that provide essential resources to Californians. Census data determines funding allocations for housing, schools, childcare programs, health clinics, meals, transit, road maintenance projects and social assistance programs.

The 2020 Census will ensure the health and wellness of our families and neighborhoods. By filling out the form, your data informs where new hospitals are built, improves our health programs, and increases jobs and business opportunities.

The 2020 Census will determine the number of representatives California has in the U.S. House of Representatives and the number of votes we have in the Electoral College. Your information will also be used to redraw State Assembly and Senate boundaries, and Elected local government Districts. Participating in the 2020 Census ensures that you and your communities have fair representation.

Find more info here.

How do I respond to the Census?
  • Online:
  • By Phone:
  • By Mail:
    • Most households received their invitation to respond to the 2020 Census in March. These official Census Bureau mailings included detailed information and a Census ID for completing the census online.

What do I do if I can't find my Census ID?

Your Census ID is the 12-digit number that can be found on your questionnaire, letter, and postcard. You can still respond online to the 2020 Census even if you did not receive a letter or paper questionnaire. Go to my2020census.gov and select the link that says, "If you do not have a Census ID, click here." It is located below the Census ID login field.

I completed the Census already, why am I still receiving mail?

The Census Bureau sends out reminders by mail. If you have already successfully filled out the census do not fill it out again.

Does the Census Bureau send mail to PO Boxes?

No, the Census Bureau cannot mail to P.O. Boxes because they cannot be matched to physical addresses. We need your physical address to count you at the place where you live. Only a complete street address will help us accurately count you in the right place. If you cannot receive mail at your home, a Census Bureau worker may deliver a questionnaire, leave information about responding, or interview you. You can respond now by phone or online at my2020census.gov.

I got two letters in the mail, how do I know which ID to use?

The Census Bureau maintains an address list, compiled from various sources including the U.S. Postal Service. Sometimes this means we have the same address listed twice. In that case, we may send multiple mailings to the same residence. Check carefully to see if there are any differences at all in the spelling of the addresses. Please look for differences such as formatting or unit numbers.

Addresses are the same: Complete the interview for one of the Census IDs. You may continue to receive reminder letters with the other Census ID, but you may disregard them. A census field worker may visit you in the future to ensure we have an accurate accounting for all addresses.

Addresses are different: Complete the Census questionnaire using the Census ID on the mailer with the address that most closely resembles the address at which you live. Do not respond using the Census ID on the mailer with the incorrect address. You may continue to receive reminder letters for the incorrect address, but you may disregard them. A census field worker may visit you in the future to ensure we have an accurate accounting for all addresses.

Where should I count children in a joint custody arrangement?

Parents and guardians should count children at the address where they live and sleep most of the time. If a child spends an equal amount of time in two or more homes, count the child where they were staying on April 1, 2020.

I rent out part of my home. Should I include the the renter on my questionnaire?

The 2020 Census counts everyone who is living in the United States on April 1, 2020 (Census Day). If your relative is living in another country on April 1, do not include them on your census form.

Should I still count grandchildren living with me if their parent does not live or stay here?

Yes. All children, including babies, should be counted at their usual residence, even if their parent does not live and sleep at the same address. The usual residence is where the child lives and sleeps most of the time. If you are not sure, count them at the address of the place where the child was staying on April 1, 2020.

Does the census count the children of roommates, housemates, roomers, or tenants?

Yes, the children of roommates, housemates, roomers, and tenants should be counted at their usual residence. This means where the child lives and sleeps most of the time. If you are not sure, count them at the address of the place where the child was staying on April 1, 2020.

If a college is temporarily closed (including on April 1), where should college students be counted?

Per the Census Bureau’s residence criteria, in most cases students living away from home at school should be counted at school, even if they are temporarily elsewhere due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit the COVID-19 Press Kit to learn more.

What operations are resuming?

Where it’s safe, census field staff are resuming delivery of census questionnaires, interviewing households in remote parts of Alaska, and resuming the fingerprinting and hiring process for new staff.

In select areas, the Census Bureau is resuming the Update Leave operation.  This operation is done in all of Puerto Rico and in stateside areas where the majority of households do not receive mail at their home. Census field staff canvass the area for places people might live, compare what they see to our address list, use a laptop to verify, correct, delete, or add addresses, and leave a census invitation and questionnaire at the front door.

Census takers are resuming interviewing households in Alaska’s vast, sparsely settled areas.

In states where we have resumed the Update Leave operation, Census Bureau staff are also resuming fingerprinting for new hires to keep applicants moving through the hiring process.

How will the public know census staff will be back in the area?

The Census Bureau plans to alert the public, our staff, elected officials, local law enforcement, key stakeholders, and local media every Friday about where census staff will resume working the following week. We will update the running list of locations on our website: https://2020census.gov/en/news-events/operational-adjustments-covid-19.html.

How is the Census Bureau protecting employees and the public?

As 2020 Census operations resume, the Census Bureau is incorporating the most current Federal, State, and local guidance to promote the health and safety of the public and our employees. The Census Bureau is providing face masks and gloves for employees to wear consistent with Federal, State, and local guidance, along with hand sanitizer. Field staff will complete a virtual COVID-19 training to ensure they follow appropriate social distancing protocols and all appropriate health and safety guidance.

Does the 2020 Census ask about citizenship status?

NO. The 2020 Census does not ask whether you or anyone in your home is a U.S. citizen.

Are non-citizens counted in the census?

YES. Everyone counts. The 2020 Census counts everyone living in the country, including non-citizens. Learn more about who should be counted when you complete the 2020 Census.

Can my answers be shared with law enforcement or used against me?

NO. The law prevents the Census Bureau from sharing your information with law enforcement. Your answers cannot be used to impact your eligibility for government benefits. Your answers are only used to create statistics about our country. The Census Bureau is bound by Title 13 of the U.S. Code to protect your personal information and keep it strictly confidential. That’s every answer, to every question.

Can I only take the census online?

NO. The 2020 Census will be available online, by phone, and by mail. Online and phone responses can be completed in 13 languages (English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Russian, Arabic, Tagalog, Polish, French, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, and Japanese). A paper form will be mailed to every house that hasn’t responded already when we send our fourth mail piece out.

What questions WILL NOT be asked by the Census Bureau?

During the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau will NEVER ask you for:

  • Your Social Security number.
  • Money or donations.
  • Anything on behalf of a political party.
  • Your bank or credit card account numbers.

If someone claiming to be from the Census Bureau contacts you via email or phone and asks you for one of these things, it's a scam, and you should not cooperate. For more information, visit Avoiding Fraud and Scams.

 

 

Language Support

English and Spanish Language Hours of Operation: Customer Service Representatives are available every day from 7am to 2am Eastern Time on the following phone lines:

Non-English and Non-Spanish Language Hours of Operation: Customer Service Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8am to 10 pm Eastern Time on the following phone lines:

Still have questions?

Please send all questions to gccad@countyofglenn.net

 

Answer were provide by the following websites, click links to find more.