Attachment I(b) - Advance Letter L2

CE-303-L2
(4-2017)

DC

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
About three months ago, you completed an interview for the Consumer Expenditure Survey.
We are contacting you again to request your ongoing help with this very important survey.
Soon a field representative with official identification will contact you again for an interview.
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 and directly affects wages and
pensions. Your response is a service to your community and the country.
To help shorten the interview, you may want to have some records of expenses available for
reference. On the back of this letter are examples of records that may reduce the interview
time and improve the quality of survey results.
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.
Thank you for your cooperation in this important survey. We appreciate your help.
Sincerely,

John H. Thompson
Director

census.gov

CE-303-L2, Blue Ink Pantone 281

Black Ink

The U.S. Census Bureau is conducting this voluntary survey
for the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Collecting bills, receipts, or bank statements before the field
representative arrives may help reduce the interview time.
Examples of useful documents are shown below.
Billing statements (paper or on-line) for:
• Utilities, such as electricity or natural gas
• Residential and cellular telephone service
• Insurance payments
• Medical expenses
• Education expenses
• Home repair and improvement expenses
• Cable or satellite television or satellite radio
• Internet services
Receipts, bill of sales, or contracts for:
• Vehicle Purchases
• Vehicle leases
• Furniture purchases
• Appliance purchases
• Service contracts, such as for pest control or appliance maintenance
Pay stubs showing:
• Insurance premiums
• Retirement deductions including 401Ks
• Social Security deductions
• Federal taxes deducted
• State and local taxes deducted
• Other deductions, such as union dues or charitable contributions
Credit card statements for:
• Expenses charged automatically to your credit card
• Credit card membership fees
• Any expenditures with no receipt or statement
Bank statements or check books for:
• Expenses automatically deducted from your bank account
• ATM fees and other banking fees
• Any expenditures with no receipt or statement
The U.S. Office of Management and Budget has approved this survey and assigned it
Control Number 1220-0050.

CE-303-L2 (4-2017)