Page 13 - Work Force April 2020

Time to Be Counted in the 2020 U.S. Census!
The 2020 U.S. Census is now available to be completed online. As invitation postcards were mailed to households across the U.S., the Census Bureau also launched its online form
on its website at census.
gov. The census can be
completed online, over
the phone or by mail.
At this time, when
social distancing is
being promoted as the
best way to prevent
the spread of COVID-
19, we urge you to fill out
your census form online. Not
only is this the easiest way to fill out the census, but it will also limit
the number of home visits census workers will have to conduct and help to promote public health.
Some households located in areas with limited internet access will
receive a paper form in the first mailing. Households
that have not responded online or by phone
will receive a paper form between April 8-16. Census takers are
due to follow up with households that have
not responded later this year. Learn more about our
members’ efforts to ensure an accurate census count at cseany.org/census.
How to respond
Online
You can respond to the census using a computer, tablet or smartphone. To access the form, visit https://my2020census.gov.
Please note that you can’t save your progress; the census must be completed in one sitting. You can complete the form in English or other languages.
The quickest way to respond
to the census is online with your Census ID, which easily links your response with your address. You can still respond if you don't have a Census ID.
Your Census ID can be found
on the letter or questionnaire you received from the Census Bureau
in March. After clicking the "Start Questionnaire" button on the online
form, you will be prompted to enter your Census ID.
Phone
You have the option of completing the questionnaire by phone. To begin, call 844-330-2020, or call
the number associated with your preferred language, as noted on the website’s Phone Response Guide.
Mail
If you live in an area with limited internet access, you may have received a paper form along with your invitation letter. If you don’t respond by phone or online, you will receive a paper questionnaire. Again, due to the coronavirus outbreak, online or phone responses are preferred.
Watch out for these census hoaxes
Responding to the 2020 U.S. Census is not only important for numerous public programs, but is safe.
The Census Bureau is dedicated to keeping your information secure, and census employees take an oath to never reveal your responses, even to law enforcement agencies.
However, there are scams and hoaxes, many of which involve impersonating census employees to get your information.
There have been reports
that the “Department of
Home Affairs” are going door to door to check residents’ IDs for the census. Meanwhile, these people are seeking to commit a crime, likely theft of your information or property.
Firstly, there is no Department of Home Affairs. The Census Bureau employees will be clearly identifiable with U.S. Department of Commerce ID badges and will carry a briefcase indicating their affiliation with the bureau. They will explain the reason for their visit.
Census employees will not ask you for identification. They will also never ask you for your Social Security number, bank account information, credit card numbers, political affiliation or donations.
If you get a visit from someone who you suspect does not work for the Census Bureau, call your local
police department or the Census Bureau at
800-923-8282.
What you will be asked
The 2020 Census will ask a few simple questions about
you and everyone who is or will be living with you on April 1, 2020.
You will be asked to count everyone who lives and sleeps
in your home as of April 1,
2020, including young children, roommates and any family members or friends who are living with you, even temporarily.
You will also be asked whether your home is rented or owned; your telephone number and names, ages, dates of birth, gender identification, race and national origin of all living in your home.
for a chance to win an iPad!
• Begins April 1 - Census Day.
• Only CSEA members and retirees can enter.
• After you respond to the Census, complete the entry form at cseany.org/census.
• Seven winners randomly drawn on July 31. One from each region and one from our retiree division.
Visit cseany.org/census for more information and to enter to win!
The Census determines how much federal funding NY receives for health care, education, housing, transportation, and other vital services.
April 2020
The Work Force 13
Be Counted