Diary Advance Letter

DC

CE-803(L)(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. The U.S. Census Bureau is required by law to protect your information. The
Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release your responses in a way that could identify
you. We are conducting this survey under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, and Title
29, United States Code. Federal law protects your privacy and keeps your answers confidential
(Title 13, United States Code, Sections 9 and 214). Per the Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement
Act of 2015, your data are protected from cybersecurity risks through screening of the systems
that transmit your data.
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 the following:
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

Blue Ink PMS 281

Black Ink

DC

CE-803(L)(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. The U.S. Census Bureau is required by law to protect your information. The
Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release your responses in a way that could identify
you. We are conducting this survey under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, and Title
29, United States Code. Federal law protects your privacy and keeps your answers confidential
(Title 13, United States Code, Sections 9 and 214). Per the Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement
Act of 2015, your data are protected from cybersecurity risks through screening of the systems
that transmit your data.
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 the following:
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

Blue Ink PMS 281

Black Ink

DC

CE-803(L)(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. The U.S. Census Bureau is required by law to protect your information. The
Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release your responses in a way that could identify
you. We are conducting this survey under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, and Title
29, United States Code. Federal law protects your privacy and keeps your answers confidential
(Title 13, United States Code, Sections 9 and 214). Per the Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement
Act of 2015, your data are protected from cybersecurity risks through screening of the systems
that transmit your data.
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 the following:
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

Blue Ink PMS 281

Black Ink

DC

CE-803(L)(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. The U.S. Census Bureau is required by law to protect your information. The
Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release your responses in a way that could identify
you. We are conducting this survey under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, and Title
29, United States Code. Federal law protects your privacy and keeps your answers confidential
(Title 13, United States Code, Sections 9 and 214). Per the Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement
Act of 2015, your data are protected from cybersecurity risks through screening of the systems
that transmit your data.
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 the following:
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

Blue Ink PMS 281

Black Ink

DC

CE-803(L)(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. The U.S. Census Bureau is required by law to protect your information. The
Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release your responses in a way that could identify
you. We are conducting this survey under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, and Title
29, United States Code. Federal law protects your privacy and keeps your answers confidential
(Title 13, United States Code, Sections 9 and 214). Per the Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement
Act of 2015, your data are protected from cybersecurity risks through screening of the systems
that transmit your data.
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 the following:
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 PMS 281

Black Ink

DC

CE-803(L)(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. The U.S. Census Bureau is required by law to protect your information. The
Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release your responses in a way that could identify
you. We are conducting this survey under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, and Title
29, United States Code. Federal law protects your privacy and keeps your answers confidential
(Title 13, United States Code, Sections 9 and 214). Per the Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement
Act of 2015, your data are protected from cybersecurity risks through screening of the systems
that transmit your data.
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 the following:
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

Blue Ink PMS 281

Black Ink

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 you to record in a diary information about all the purchases you make. We will also
ask the people who live in your household to record their purchases.
Why me? Why not interview someone else?
Your address was selected, not you personally, as part of a scientifically determined sample.
Your household represents hundreds of other households in your region. We need to talk with
you because 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?
We expect that it will take about 15 minutes to record your expenditures daily; in addition, it will
take about 20 minutes for each of our visits over this two-week period.
Where can I find out more about the survey?
You can learn more about the survey or send any comments regarding the burden or any other
aspect of this 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-803(L)(4-2017)