SIPP Attachment B - W1 Letter

SIPP-05(L1)W1(PA)
(12-2020)

Dear Resident:
The U.S. Census Bureau is conducting a vitally important survey, the Survey of Income and Program
Participation (SIPP), and we need your help to ensure accurate data collection. Within a few weeks, a
Census Bureau Field Representative will contact your household regarding this survey. I want you to
know that your household’s participation in this survey is extremely valuable and greatly appreciated.
This survey produces data that helps shape government program decisions affecting millions of people
in the United States. For example, policymakers use the survey’s results to evaluate the future needs of
the Social Security system, changes to and the effectiveness of programs like the Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program, and the impact of changes to health insurance and the cost of medical
care. In order to provide current and accurate economic information to your elected representatives
and support improving such significant programs that affect people of all income levels, the Census
Bureau needs your help.
Your household’s participation is essential to ensure the completeness and accuracy of this study’s data.
Your address has been scientifically chosen to represent thousands of other households just like yours.
There are no penalties for declining to answer any question in this study; however, each unanswered
question substantially lessens the accuracy of the results.
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 or this household. We are
conducting this survey under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, Sections 141 and 182.
Federal law protects your privacy and keeps your answers confidential (Title 13, United States Code,
Section 9). Per the Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2015, your data are protected from
cybersecurity risks through screening of the systems that transmit your data.
Answers to frequently asked questions are on the back of this letter. If you have other questions, please
visit www.census.gov/sipp/ or contact your Census Bureau Regional Office at:
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
US CENSUS BUREAU
100 S INDEPENDENCE MALL W #410
PHILADELPHIA PA 19106–2320
Telephone: 1-800-262-4236
Thank you for your participation in this important survey. I am grateful for your help.
Sincerely,

Steven D. Dillingham
Director

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why does the Census Bureau collect this information?
Although we conduct a census every ten years, some information needs to be updated more often. This
survey provides current data about a variety of important issues, such as changes people have
experienced in their jobs, health insurance coverage, medical expenditures, the well-being of children
and adults, childcare and child support status, retirement and pension planning, participation in
government programs, and other information. Your voluntary participation is essential to ensure that
this survey’s results are complete and accurate.
How do I know the Census Bureau will protect my information?
The Census Bureau is required by law to keep your information confidential. The Census Bureau is not
permitted to publicly release your responses in a way that could identify you or your household. By law,
the Census Bureau can only use your responses to produce statistics.
How will the Census Bureau use the information that I provide?
The Census Bureau will combine the information you provide with that of others to produce statistics.
To be efficient, the Census Bureau attempts to obtain information you may have given to other agencies
if you have participated in other government programs. We do so because it helps to ensure your data
are complete, and it reduces the number of questions you are asked on this survey. The Privacy Act of
1974 (5 U.S.C. Section 552a) allows the sharing of information you provide with Census Bureau staff for
work-related purposes as identified in the System of Records Notice COMMERCE/Census-3,
Demographic Survey Collection (Census Bureau Sampling Frame). The same confidentiality laws that
protect your survey answers also protect any additional information we collect. For more information
about how the Census Bureau combines these data with your survey responses, please visit our
website: https://census.gov/about/what/admin- data.html.
How much time will the survey take?
We estimate that it will take about 63 minutes per person to collect the information. This includes time
for reviewing the instructions and completing and reviewing your answers. Send comments regarding
time estimates or any other aspect of this data collection process, including suggestions for reducing
this burden, to Demo Survey Comments Project 0607-1000, U.S. Census Bureau, 4600 Silver Hill Road,
ADDP-8H590, Washington, DC 20233. You may also e-mail comments to
[email protected]; use “Demo Survey Comments Project 0607-1000” as the subject.
This survey could not be conducted without a valid OMB Control Number. The U.S. Office of
Management and Budget has approved this survey and assigned it Control Number 0607-1000.

SIPP-05(L1)W1 (12-2020)