Notice from the Pennsylvania Census website:
On April 1, 2020 the U.S. Census Bureau will be counting all residents living in the United States. In Pennsylvania, we’re committed to working together to make sure all our neighbors are included in the census. We encourage all Pennsylvanians to learn more about the 2020 Census, your role as a resident, and explore ideas and downloadable materials you can use to help spread the word about the upcoming census. https://www.pa.gov/census/?utm_medium=paid_search&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=census_2020&utm_content=general
Our population count determines the federal support Pennsylvanians receive for the next ten years for education, healthcare, housing, food security, roads, and more.
Decennial Census
Also known as the Population and Housing Census, the Decennial U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States. It is mandated by Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution and takes place every 10 years. The data collected by the decennial census determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives and is also used to distribute billions in federal funds to local communities.The census tells us who we are and where we are going as a nation, and helps our communities determine where to build everything from schools to supermarkets, and from homes to hospitals. It helps the government decide how to distribute funds and assistance to states and localities. It is also used to draw the lines of legislative districts and reapportion the seats each State holds in Congress.The 2010 Census represented the most massive participation movement ever witnessed in our country. Approximately 74 percent of the households returned their census forms by mail; the remaining households were counted by census workers walking neighborhoods throughout the United States.
The U.S. census counts each resident of the country, where they live on April 1, every ten years ending in zero. The Constitution mandates the enumeration to determine how to apportion the House of Representatives among the states.
2020 Census Research, Operational Plans, and Oversight
WHAT IS THE CENSUS
The U.S. Constitution requires a census of all residents every 10 years.
Every person living in the U.S. is counted once and only once.
You are counted based on where you are living on April 1, 2020.
Data from the census informs government decisions for 10 years.
WHY YOUR RESPONSE MATTERS
Fair representation & legislative redistricting
The Census determines:
How many seats PA has in the U.S. House of Representatives
How U.S. congressional and state legislative districts are redrawn
$675+ billion in federal public funding
The Census determines how much funding each state receives for the next 10 years.
Pennsylvania receives $26.8 billion each year
That’s $2,000 per Pennsylvanian.
IN PA, EVERYONE COUNTS
Federal funding impacts
every community
every neighborhood
every infant and child
every foreign and U.S. citizen
every family and every individual
HEALTHCARE
2020 Census will determine how much access our communities have to quality healthcare.
Medicare (Part B); Medicaid; CHIP; WIC; Healthcare Centers
FOOD
2020 Census will determine how much food support children, adults, and seniors receive.
SNAP; School Breakfast Program; National School Lunch Program; Child and Adult Care Food Program
EDUCATION
2020 Census will determine how much we invest in the futures of our children.
Federal Pell Grants; Federal Direct Student Loans; Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies; Special Education Grants; Head Start
HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
2020 Census will determine how much safe, affordable housing is available.
Very Low to Moderate Income Housing Loans
Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers
Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments
Public and Indian Housing
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Entitlement Program
Public Housing Capital Fund
RURAL
2020 Census determines how much funding rural areas receive for services and infrastructure.
Rural Electrification Loans and Loan Guarantees
Water and Waste Disposal Systems for Rural Communities
Rural Rental Assistance Payments
Business and Industry Loans
Cooperative Extension Services
AVOID SCAMMERS & FRAUD
Do not respond if asked about the following:
Social Security Number (SSN)
Bank or credit card information
Money or donations
Anything on behalf of a political party
Ask to see an official Census ID badge
1-800-923-8282 to verify a worker’s identity
Report suspicious activity to your local police department
If you respond online, check the website address begins with HTTPS and has a lock symbol
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