2013 Census Test

Attachment B – Prenotice Mailing Letter

October 1, 2013

A message from the Director, U.S. Census Bureau . . .

We are contacting you to request your help with a brief, one-time survey called the 2013 Census Test. The goal of this survey is to develop new methods to make the next census easier, more convenient, and less costly for taxpayers. Sometime in the next few weeks, a Census Bureau representative may contact you to ask a few simple questions about your household.

Your cooperation in this research is required by law. Results from the next census will determine congressional representation as required by the U.S. Constitution. Accurate data are crucial in deciding how federal and state funds are distributed each year, including funding for highways, schools, health facilities and many other programs you and your neighbors use and need.

On the back of this letter are answers to some questions you may have about this survey. If you would like more information, please visit www.census.gov/survey_participants or call our toll-free number at 1-###-###-####.

Thank you in advance for your help.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the purpose of the 2013 Census Test?

The purpose of the 2013 Census Test is to explore alternative ways to contact households and collect data in an effort to increase efficiency and reduce costs. Your answers will only be used for statistical purposes and for no other purpose.

Why was I selected?

Your address, not you personally, was chosen as part of a randomly selected sample. Your address represents thousands of other households like yours.

How will I know that the phone call is from a legitimate Census Bureau employee?

This survey has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). For this survey, the OMB approval number is 0607-####. Anybody that contacts you should be able to provide this same OMB number. For more information about determining if you are part of a legitimate Census Bureau survey, visit www.census.gov/survey_participants and click the “Household Surveys” tab.

What confidentiality protection do I have?

Federal law protects your privacy and keeps your answers confidential (Title 13, United States Code, Sections 9 and 214). The answers you provide cannot be obtained by law enforcement, tax collection agencies, or marketers. Your answers cannot be used in court. They cannot be obtained with a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Please visit www.census.gov/privacy to learn more about our privacy policy and data protection.

What laws authorize you to conduct this survey?

The Census Bureau is conducting this survey under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, Sections 141 and 193. You are required by U.S. law to respond to this survey.

How long does this survey take?

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that, for the average household, this survey will take about 10 minutes to complete, including the time for reviewing the instructions and answers.

Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this burden to: Paperwork Reduction Project 0607-####, U.S. Census Bureau, AMSD-3K138, 4600 Silver Hill Road, Washington, DC 20233. You may e-mail comments to Paperwork@census.gov; use "Paperwork Project 0607-####" as the subject. Respondents are not required to respond to any information collection unless it displays a valid approval number from the Office of Management and Budget.

DC-5(L) (6-2013) www.census.gov