Addition of Questions to the Current Population Survey – Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
CPS Emergerncy OMB Clearance Memo.pdf Supplementary Document	2020-04-20
Supporting_B-CPS_COVID-19.docx Supporting Statement B	2020-04-30
Supporting_A-CPS_COVID-19.docx Supporting Statement A	2020-04-30

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
241427	Addition of Questions to the Current Population Survey – Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Other-CATI/CAPI	New

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 1220-0194	ICR Reference No: 202004-1220-008
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: DOL/BLS	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Addition of Questions to the Current Population Survey – Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Emergency	Approval Requested By: 04/30/2020
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved with change	Conclusion Date: 04/30/2020
	Date Received in OIRA: 04/20/2020
Terms of Clearance: OMB approves consistent with the commitment identified in Supporting Statement B to cognitively test the questions in parallel with data collection and to submit nonsubstantive change requests to OMB for any changes to methods or content.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	10/31/2020	6 Months From Approved
Responses	297,000	0	0
Time Burden (Hours)	9,900	0	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) requests an emergency 180-day approval of an emergency Information Collection Request (ICR) to add five questions to the Current Population Survey (CPS) to collect data on the effects of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and the attempts to constrain the spread of the illness. These CPS data will be collected monthly for 180 days. If BLS decides that the questions should remain in the CPS for a period longer than 180 days, a formal extension of this clearance will be sought through a revision to the currently approved Basic Labor Force: OMB Control Number 1220-0100 (which expires on January 31, 2021). These questions will allow policy makers to evaluate how the impacts of COVID-19 on the job market are changing over time. In addition, these data will be tied to the key measures produced by the CPS, including the national unemployment rate and the labor force participation rate. These are among the first labor market indicators to appear each month, so having these questions on COVID-19 included in the CPS will provide a timely picture into the impact of the illness. Economic data will be used to inform policy decisions related to Americans affected by the pandemic.

Emergency Justfication: BLS has determined that this information must be collected prior to the time periods established under Part 1320 of the PRA and that this information is essential to the mission of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to assess the impact of the outbreak of a novel coronavirus on the U.S. Economy. BLS cannot reasonably comply with the normal clearance procedures under the PRA as an unanticipated event has occurred and BLS has an urgent necessity to collect this information from the American public to assess the damage to the U.S. economy resulting from this pandemic. Therefore, BLS requests a 180-day emergency clearance to add additional questions to the Current Population Survey (CPS) to capture the impact of the virus and economic actions that are being taken to help the U.S. economy.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 13 USC 182 Name of Law: Census Authorizing Statute
   US Code: 13 USC 9 Name of Law: Census Confidentiality Statute
   US Code: 29 USC 1-9 Name of Law: BLS Authorizing Statute
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments

Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Addition of Questions to the Current Population Survey – Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	297,000	0	0	297,000	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	9,900	0	0	9,900	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This is a new collection to add five questions to the existing Current Population Survey (CPS) to collect data on the effects of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The new questions will be included in the CPS for six months. The estimated burden to collect these new questions for six months is expected to be 9,900 hours.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $180,000

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? Yes Part B of Supporting Statement

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Yes

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 04/20/2020

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