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 âPhase 1,â and to plans for extending the data collection through the balance of time allowable under the emergency clearance as âPhase 2.â
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 âPhase 3â 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 individualsâ 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 Bureauâs mission as the nationâs leading source of data on the nationâs 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