Attachment I(a) - Advance letter

DC

CE-303-L1 (CA)
(4-2017)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

FROM THE DIRECTOR
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
We are contacting you to request your help with an important survey—the Consumer
Expenditure Survey. The U.S. Census Bureau is conducting this survey for the Bureau of Labor
Statistics.
Your responses help update the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI is the most important
tool used to measure how fast prices are rising or declining. It directly affects wages, pensions,
and the cost of goods and services. Your response is a service to your community and the
country.
Your participation in this survey is essential; however, you may choose to decline to answer any
particular question. Federal law authorizes the collection of this information (Titles 13 and 29 of
the United States Code), and Sections 9 and 214 of Title 13 require us to keep all information
about you and your household strictly confidential, and to use that information for statistical
purposes only.
Soon a field representative will contact you for an interview and show you an official
identification card. Please welcome him or her.
On the back of this letter are answers to questions you may have about this survey. If you
would like more information, please contact:
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
US CENSUS BUREAU
15350 SHERMAN WAY STE 400
VAN NUYS CA 91406-4203
Telephone: 1 (800) 992–3530
Thank you for your cooperation in this important survey. We appreciate your help.
Sincerely,

John H. Thompson
Director

census.gov

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DC

CE-303-L1 (CO)
(4-2017)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

FROM THE DIRECTOR
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
We are contacting you to request your help with an important survey—the Consumer
Expenditure Survey. The U.S. Census Bureau is conducting this survey for the Bureau of Labor
Statistics.
Your responses help update the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI is the most important
tool used to measure how fast prices are rising or declining. It directly affects wages, pensions,
and the cost of goods and services. Your response is a service to your community and the
country.
Your participation in this survey is essential; however, you may choose to decline to answer any
particular question. Federal law authorizes the collection of this information (Titles 13 and 29 of
the United States Code), and Sections 9 and 214 of Title 13 require us to keep all information
about you and your household strictly confidential, and to use that information for statistical
purposes only.
Soon a field representative will contact you for an interview and show you an official
identification card. Please welcome him or her.
On the back of this letter are answers to questions you may have about this survey. If you
would like more information, please contact:
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
US CENSUS BUREAU
6950 W JEFFERSON AVE STE 250
DENVER CO 80235-2377
Telephone: 1 (800) 852–6159
Thank you for your cooperation in this important survey. We appreciate your help.
Sincerely,

John H. Thompson
Director

census.gov

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Black Ink

DC

CE-303-L1 (GA)
(4-2017)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

FROM THE DIRECTOR
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
We are contacting you to request your help with an important survey—the Consumer
Expenditure Survey. The U.S. Census Bureau is conducting this survey for the Bureau of Labor
Statistics.
Your responses help update the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI is the most important
tool used to measure how fast prices are rising or declining. It directly affects wages, pensions,
and the cost of goods and services. Your response is a service to your community and the
country.
Your participation in this survey is essential; however, you may choose to decline to answer any
particular question. Federal law authorizes the collection of this information (Titles 13 and 29 of
the United States Code), and Sections 9 and 214 of Title 13 require us to keep all information
about you and your household strictly confidential, and to use that information for statistical
purposes only.
Soon a field representative will contact you for an interview and show you an official
identification card. Please welcome him or her.
On the back of this letter are answers to questions you may have about this survey. If you
would like more information, please contact:
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
US CENSUS BUREAU
101 MARIETTA ST NW STE 3200
ATLANTA GA 30303-2711
Telephone: 1 (800) 424–6974
Thank you for your cooperation in this important survey. We appreciate your help.
Sincerely,

John H. Thompson
Director

census.gov

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Black Ink

DC

CE-303-L1 (IL)
(4-2017)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

FROM THE DIRECTOR
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
We are contacting you to request your help with an important survey—the Consumer
Expenditure Survey. The U.S. Census Bureau is conducting this survey for the Bureau of Labor
Statistics.
Your responses help update the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI is the most important
tool used to measure how fast prices are rising or declining. It directly affects wages, pensions,
and the cost of goods and services. Your response is a service to your community and the
country.
Your participation in this survey is essential; however, you may choose to decline to answer any
particular question. Federal law authorizes the collection of this information (Titles 13 and 29 of
the United States Code), and Sections 9 and 214 of Title 13 require us to keep all information
about you and your household strictly confidential, and to use that information for statistical
purposes only.
Soon a field representative will contact you for an interview and show you an official
identification card. Please welcome him or her.
On the back of this letter are answers to questions you may have about this survey. If you
would like more information, please contact:
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
US CENSUS BUREAU
1111 W 22ND ST STE 400
OAK BROOK IL 60523-1918
Telephone: 1 (800) 865–6384
Thank you for your cooperation in this important survey. We appreciate your help.
Sincerely,

John H. Thompson
Director

census.gov

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Black Ink

DC

CE-303-L1 (NY)
(4-2017)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

FROM THE DIRECTOR
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
We are contacting you to request your help with an important survey—the Consumer
Expenditure Survey. The U.S. Census Bureau is conducting this survey for the Bureau of Labor
Statistics.
Your responses help update the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI is the most important
tool used to measure how fast prices are rising or declining. It directly affects wages, pensions,
and the cost of goods and services. Your response is a service to your community and the
country.
Your participation in this survey is essential; however, you may choose to decline to answer any
particular question. Federal law authorizes the collection of this information (Titles 13 and 29 of
the United States Code), and Sections 9 and 214 of Title 13 require us to keep all information
about you and your household strictly confidential, and to use that information for statistical
purposes only.
Soon a field representative will contact you for an interview and show you an official
identification card. Please welcome him or her.
On the back of this letter are answers to questions you may have about this survey. If you
would like more information, please contact:
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
US CENSUS BUREAU
32 OLD SLIP 9TH FLOOR
NEW YORK NY 10005-3500
Telephone: 1 (800) 991–2520
Thank you for your cooperation in this important survey. We appreciate your help.
Sincerely,

John H. Thompson
Director

census.gov

Blue Ink Pantone 281

Black Ink

DC

CE-303-L1(PA)
(4-2017)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

FROM THE DIRECTOR
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
We are contacting you to request your help with an important survey—the Consumer
Expenditure Survey. The U.S. Census Bureau is conducting this survey for the Bureau of Labor
Statistics.
Your responses help update the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI is the most important
tool used to measure how fast prices are rising or declining. It directly affects wages, pensions,
and the cost of goods and services. Your response is a service to your community and the
country.
Your participation in this survey is essential; however, you may choose to decline to answer any
particular question. Federal law authorizes the collection of this information (Titles 13 and 29 of
the United States Code), and Sections 9 and 214 of Title 13 require us to keep all information
about you and your household strictly confidential, and to use that information for statistical
purposes only.
Soon a field representative will contact you for an interview and show you an official
identification card. Please welcome him or her.
On the back of this letter are answers to questions you may have about this survey. If you
would like more information, please contact:
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
US CENSUS BUREAU
100 S INDEPENDENCE MALL W #410
PHILADELPHIA PA 19106-2320
Telephone: 1 (800) 262–4236
Thank you for your cooperation in this important survey. We appreciate your help.
Sincerely,

John H. Thompson
Director

census.gov

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the Census Bureau doing? I thought they only operated every ten years.
In addition to the decennial census, we collect data on a monthly basis. We collect these data to
provide up-to-date information on topics such as unemployment, spending, family income, housing,
manufacturing, and business activities to track the country’s economy.
What is this survey about?
The Consumer Expenditure Survey measures how people in the United States spend their money
on items such as housing, food, education, transportation, and healthcare.
Why is this survey important?
The information you provide will affect wages, pensions, and the cost of goods and services. In
addition, people in your community and throughout the country use the survey results for planning
public services and addressing consumer needs. Your voluntary response is essential for ensuring
that this survey’s results are complete and accurate.
What kinds of questions will I be asked?
We will ask about expenses made within the last 3 calendar months, such as utilities, maintenance
and repairs, home furnishings and electronics, clothing, education, vacations and entertainment,
health expenses, and insurance. We will also ask you questions about the people who live in your
household, such as their ages, and questions about things you already own like cars and property.
Collecting bills, receipts, or online statements before the field representative arrives may help reduce
the interview time.
Why me? Why not interview someone else?
Through a scientific sampling process, we selected your address, not you personally. Your
household represents hundreds of other households in your region, so it is important that we talk to
you. Only you can accurately report how you spent your money.
What if I am retired, ill, unemployed, or just don’t spend much money?
We are interested in how all Americans spend their money. We can only have a complete picture if
we talk to people with different situations.
It is very important to know the purchasing habits of people of all ages and of all levels of spending.
This is especially true for medical spending and spending on entertainment.
How long will the interview take?
The average interview takes about 65 minutes.
Where can I find out more about the survey?
You can learn more about the survey by writing to the Division of Consumer Expenditure
Surveys, Room 3985, 2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E., Washington, DC 20212. The
Consumer Expenditure Survey Web site also has information about the survey.
The address is www.bls.gov/respondents/cex.
The U.S. Office of Management and Budget has approved this survey and assigned it Control
Number 1220-0050.

CE-303-L1 (4-2017)