ACS NSC Third Mailing and CAPI Internet Letters

ACS_NSC_111020.pdf

The American Community Survey

ACS NSC Third Mailing and CAPI Internet Letters

OMB: 0607-0810

⚠️ Notice: This form may be outdated. More recent filings and information on OMB 0607-0810 can be found here:

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Purpose

Request for Nonsubstantive Change to the
2020 American Community Survey (ACS)
OMB Control No. 0607-0810
U.S. Department of Commerce
U.S. Census Bureau

The American Community Survey (ACS) mails survey materials to about 287,000 housing unit
(HU) addresses each month. The mailing operations are conducted through the U.S. Postal
Service and use first-class postage rates for all pieces. For addresses that were mailed survey
materials but did not respond by mail, internet, or by calling the telephone questionnaire
assistance line, the Census Bureau selects a subsample of these households and assigns them to
the computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) (nonresponse follow-up) data collection
mode. Unmailable household addresses are also sampled and included in the CAPI data
collection mode.
Background
The current ACS information collection was approved on June 7, 2019 for three years, with an
expiration date of June 30, 2022. The mailout contact strategy sends up to five mailings to
eligible households. Due to the emergent health situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic,
operations at the Census Bureau’s National Processing Center (NPC) were minimized or closed,
and no mailings were delivered from mid-March through June 2020. The ACS mailout
operations have been negatively impacted by this reduction in operations and significant
shortages of available staff. As a result, there is a change to the ACS contact strategy to lessen
the impact on the survey operations and to utilize the limited NPC staff available.
Third Mailing
Starting on June 30, 2020, the ACS mailing contact strategy decreased from five mail contacts
per household to two. Since implementing this condensed mailout strategy, NPC secured
adequate staffing to reinstate the mailout of a previously approved final reminder letter. This
letter was modified to add Spanish instructions at the bottom of the letter for contacting the
Telephone Questionnaire Assistance line for help completing the survey. Under a normal
mailing schedule, this letter is delivered as the fifth and final mailing. Under the shortened
mailing schedule, this final reminder will be delivered as the third mailing. This letter will
significantly improve the self-response, which will reduce the CAPI workload. The first mailing,
sent to all mailable addresses in the sample, includes an invitation to participate in the ACS
online and request they respond to prevent them from receiving additional mailings. The
second mailing includes a paper questionnaire for those households that prefer to respond by
mailing back their form. The third mailing serves as a final reminder to fill out the survey online
or return a completed paper questionnaire in order to prevent a Census Bureau interviewer
from coming to their home. This mailing also includes a due date, which serves to motivate the
respondent to answer within the established deadline, communicate the importance of the
survey, and provide a timeframe for response.

As a mitigation strategy, another version of the final reminder letter was developed in the
event the NPC’s staffing levels decline and they are unable to send questionnaires to each
sampled address in the nonresponse universe. This alternate version removes the reference of
completing and mailing back a paper questionnaire.
CAPI Internet Letter
The final mode of data collection is CAPI and is used to conduct personal interviews for a
sample of addresses for which the Census Bureau has not obtained a self-response (paper or
internet). The CAPI interviewers have several tools available to explain the ACS to households.
The CAPI Internet Letter is one of these tools used to describe how to respond to the online
instrument. The key changes to the newly revised CAPI internet letter include:
•
•
•

Plain language techniques such as usage of active verbs, clean design (more white space
and less text), bold font for key phrases.
New graphics to draw attention to the internet response option and user ID (which also
matches the design of previous mailings).
Spanish instructions on how to respond by internet or phone.

Upon the return to normal staffing levels, ACS will reinstate the mailing strategy prior to the
coronavirus pandemic. Any changes to the mailing strategy after returning to standard resource
levels will be done through a measured and intentional approach based on experimentation
and proven success.
There are no substantive changes to the program resulting from these modifications.
Attachments:
ABCDEFGH-

Letter ACS-23PS(A)(2020) Final Reminder Letter with Reference to Questionnaire
Letter ACS-23PS(B)(2020) Final Reminder Letter without Reference to Questionnaire
CAPI Internet Letter – Atlanta Regional Office
CAPI Internet Letter – Chicago Regional Office
CAPI Internet Letter – Denver Regional Office
CAPI Internet Letter – Los Angeles Regional Office
CAPI Internet Letter – New York Regional Office
CAPI Internet Letter – Philadelphia Regional Office

DC
U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233
Ofﬁce of the Director

A message from the Director of the U.S. Census Bureau:
The U.S. Census Bureau has sent you several requests to complete the American
Community Survey. If you have not already done so, now is the time to respond.

Due:
Respond now at https://respond.census.gov/acs
Log in with this user ID:
OR complete and mail back your paper questionnaire.
Your response is required by law.
Because your response is critically important to your local community and to your country,
a Census Bureau interviewer may come to your home to complete the survey in person.
If you would like to complete the survey by telephone or need assistance, please call our
toll-free number (1–800–354–7271).
Thank you.
Sincerely,

Steven D. Dillingham

Mensaje Importante: Si tiene preguntas o necesita ayuda para llenar la encuesta, llámenos al
1–877–833–5625 para hablar con un empleado de la Oﬁcina del Censo que habla español.
census.gov

PRESORTED
FIRST-CLASS MAIL
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
U.S. Census Bureau
Permit No. G-58

U.S. Census Bureau
National Processing Center
1201 E 10th Street
Jeffersonville IN 47132
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
Penalty for Private Use $300

FINAL NOTICE
RESPONSE DUE:

ACS-23PS(A)(2020) (10-15-2020)

DC
U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233
Ofﬁce of the Director

Due:
Respond now at https://respond.census.gov/acs
Log in with this user ID:
Your response is required by law.
Because your response is critically important to your local community and to your country,
a Census Bureau interviewer may come to your home to complete the survey in person.
If you would like to complete the survey by telephone or need assistance, please call our
toll-free number (1–800–354–7271).
Thank you.
Sincerely,

Steven D. Dillingham

Mensaje Importante: Si tiene preguntas o necesita ayuda para llenar la encuesta, llámenos al
1–877–833–5625 para hablar con un empleado de la Oﬁcina del Censo que habla español.
census.gov

PRESORTED
FIRST-CLASS MAIL
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
U.S. Census Bureau
Permit No. G-58

U.S. Census Bureau
National Processing Center
1201 E 10th Street
Jeffersonville IN 47132
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
Penalty for Private Use $300

FINAL NOTICE
RESPONSE DUE:

ACS-23PS(B)(2020) (10-15-2020)

U.S. Census Bureau
Atlanta Regional Office
Atlanta, GA 30303

Dear Resident:
A U.S. Census Bureau employee may have recently contacted you to help you complete the
American Community Survey. If you have responded, thank you. If you have not responded,
then your response is past due. A Census Bureau employee will contact you soon.
Please complete the survey today to avoid an in-person interview:

Go to: respond.census.gov/acs
Log in with your user ID:
Enter the user ID letters and numbers exactly as you see them above.

You are required by U.S. law to respond to this survey. The Census Bureau is required by
law to keep your information confidential.
If you are visited by Census Bureau staff, he or she will present a photo ID that includes their
name, a Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date. He or she will have a
laptop and will contact you between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. You may also be contacted by phone.
The information from this survey helps identify needs such as affordable housing, job training,
and emergency planning. Your response makes a difference! Thank you for helping your
community prepare for a better future.
If you have any questions call us at 1–800–424–6974. We are happy to help you.
Sincerely,

George Grandy Jr.
Regional Director

Por favor complete la encuesta hoy para evitar una entrevista en persona.
Por internet: Vaya a respond.census.gov/acs. Haga clic en "Para completar en español, oprima aquí."
Por teléfono: Llame al 1–877–833–5625 para hablar en español con un empleado de la Oficina del Censo.

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY:
Control #:

census.gov/acs

PRESORTED
FIRST-CLASS MAIL
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
U.S. Census Bureau
Permit No. G-58

U.S. Census Bureau
Atlanta Regional Office
101 Marietta Street, N.W., Suite 3200
Atlanta, GA 30303-2711
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
Penalty for Private Use $300

THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY

YOUR RESPONSE
IS PAST DUE
ACS-INET ATRO(2020) (10-26-2020)

U.S. Census Bureau
Chicago Regional Office
Oak Brook, IL 60523

Go to: respond.census.gov/acs
Log in with your user ID:
Enter the user ID letters and numbers exactly as you see them above.

Marilyn A. Sanders
Regional Director

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY:
Control #:

census.gov/acs

PRESORTED
FIRST-CLASS MAIL
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
U.S. Census Bureau
Permit No. G-58

U.S. Census Bureau
Chicago Regional Office
1111 W. 22nd Street, Suite 400
Oak Brook, IL 60523-1918
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
Penalty for Private Use $300

THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY

YOUR RESPONSE
IS PAST DUE
ACS-INET CHRO(2020) (10-26-2020)

U.S. Census Bureau
Denver Regional Office
Lakewood, CO 80235

Go to: respond.census.gov/acs
Log in with your user ID:
Enter the user ID letters and numbers exactly as you see them above.

Cathy L. Lacy
Regional Director

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY:
Control #:

census.gov/acs

PRESORTED
FIRST-CLASS MAIL
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
U.S. Census Bureau
Permit No. G-58

U.S. Census Bureau
Denver Regional Office
6950 W. Jefferson Avenue, Suite 250
Lakewood, CO 80235-2377
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
Penalty for Private Use $300

THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY

YOUR RESPONSE
IS PAST DUE
ACS-INET DNRO(2020) (10-26-2020)

U.S. Census Bureau
Los Angeles Regional Office
Burbank, CA 91504

Go to: respond.census.gov/acs
Log in with your user ID:
Enter the user ID letters and numbers exactly as you see them above.

Julie Lam
Regional Director

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY:
Control #:

census.gov/acs

PRESORTED
FIRST-CLASS MAIL
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
U.S. Census Bureau
Permit No. G-58

U.S. Census Bureau
Los Angeles Regional Office
2300 W. Empire Avenue, Suite 300
Burbank, CA 91504
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
Penalty for Private Use $300

THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY

YOUR RESPONSE
IS PAST DUE
ACS-INET LARO(2020) (10-26-2020)

U.S. Census Bureau
New York Regional Office
New York, NY 10005

Go to: respond.census.gov/acs
Log in with your user ID:
Enter the user ID letters and numbers exactly as you see them above.

Jeff Behler
Regional Director

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY:
Control #:

census.gov/acs

PRESORTED
FIRST-CLASS MAIL
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
U.S. Census Bureau
Permit No. G-58

U.S. Census Bureau
New York Regional Office
32 Old Slip, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10005-3504
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
Penalty for Private Use $300

THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY

YOUR RESPONSE
IS PAST DUE
ACS-INET NYRO(2020) (10-26-2020)

U.S. Census Bureau
Philadelphia Regional Office
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Go to: respond.census.gov/acs
Log in with your user ID:
Enter the user ID letters and numbers exactly as you see them above.

You are required by U.S. law to respond to this survey. The Census Bureau is required by
law to keep your information confidential.
If you are visited by Census Bureau staff, he or she will present a photo ID that includes their
name, a Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date. He or she will have a
laptop and will contact you between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. You may also be contacted by phone.
The information from this survey helps identify needs such as affordable housing, job training,
and emergency planning. Your response makes a difference! Thank you for helping your
community prepare for a better future.
If you have any questions call us at 1–866–238–1374. We are happy to help you.
Sincerely,

Julie Lam
Regional Director

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY:
Control #:

census.gov/acs

PRESORTED
FIRST-CLASS MAIL
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
U.S. Census Bureau
Permit No. G-58

U.S. Census Bureau
Los Philadelphia Regional Office
100 S. Independence Mall W., Suite 410
Philadelphia, PA 19106-2320
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
Penalty for Private Use $300

THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY

YOUR RESPONSE
IS PAST DUE
ACS-INET PHRO(2020) (10-26-2020)

File Type	application/pdf
Author	Jessie Files (CENSUS/GEO FED)
File Modified	2020-11-10
File Created	2020-11-10