The Household Pulse Survey was
approved for data collection through July 31, 2020. As the pandemic
continues and the data from this survey continue to be widely used
and valued by government officials and others managing response and
recovery efforts, the Census Bureau seeks to extend the emergency
clearance for the full 180 days permitted under 5 CFR Section 1320,
Paperwork Reduction Act, specifically 1320.13, Emergency
Processing. For the purposes of discussion, the Census Bureau
refers here to the initial deployment of the Household Pulse Survey
through July 31, 2020 as “Phase 1,” and to plans for extending the
data collection through the balance of time allowable under the
emergency clearance as “Phase 2.” The emergency clearance for the
Household Pulse Survey will expire on October 31, 2020. In
anticipation of a continuing need for Household Pulse Survey data,
the Census Bureau is putting forward this request through normal
clearance channels for the purposes of continuing the survey
through December 31, 2021. This ICR requests regular
(non-emergency) approval to conduct “Phase 3” up to three years
from OMB approval date. On October 31, 2020, the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) provided clearance to the Census Bureau
to conduct Phase 3 of the Household Pulse Survey (OMB No.
0607-1013, expiration 10/31/2023). A condition of that clearance
was that the Census Bureau would continue the survey using the
Phase 2 instrument through December, 2020, and then take a hiatus
in data collection to evaluate the questionnaire content. During
the hiatus, the Census Bureau would work with the other Federal
agencies to produce relevant and meaningful data given the ongoing
circumstances of the pandemic. The Census Bureau anticipated a
break of approximately two months . Given current information about
the trajectory of the pandemic, however, it may be imprudent to
take the hiatus as planned at the end of December, 2020. The Census
Bureau therefore requests approval to continue administering the
current Phase 3 instrument through January and February, 2021.
While the survey continues, the Census Bureau will proceed with the
efforts requested by OMB as part of the October 31, 2020 clearance.
Specifically, the Census Bureau will evaluate the continued utility
of items on the Phase 3 instrument as described above. Further, it
will execute a thorough non-response bias analysis to supplement
the Source & Accuracy Statements that accompany each bi-weekly
data release. Additionally, we propose adding a brief series of
questions to the Phase 3 instrument as soon as possible regarding
individuals’ intention to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. Given that
time is of the essence for these items, we request approval to
include them immediately, effective the data collection period
starting January 6, 2021.
The scheduled
publication of the 30-day FRN was cancelled due to the closing of
the Office of the Federal Register on June 18, 2021. Therefore, the
regular Revision request could not be submitted on June 18, 2021,
as planned. Therefore, to stay on schedule with the planned
collection start date of July 21, 2021, with guidance from OMB,
Census is requesting Emergency clearance for this Revision request.
The content revisions contribute to the Census Bureau’s mission as
the nation’s leading source of data on the nation’s people and
economy. The Covid-19 pandemic is an unanticipated event that is
unprecedented in the sudden and dramatic way it continues to impact
the social and economic well-being of American households.
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:
(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;
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.
Household Pulse Survey
Household Pulse Survey Emergency Clearance OMB Memo 6-24-2021.pdf
PART B, ATTACH B_HH Pulse Survey Weighting Plan_Phase 3.2_Final.docx
Household Pulse Survey