Census ID cards are on their way

By Jessica Vaughn
Posted 3/12/20

We’re approaching the start of the 2020 Census, which takes count of the population in an area. This year marks the first time ever that citizens will have the ability to take their Census online, …

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Census ID cards are on their way

Posted

We’re approaching the start of the 2020 Census, which takes count of the population in an area. This year marks the first time ever that citizens will have the ability to take their Census online, with cards including household’s unique identification numbers listed on them. The cards began mailing on March 12.

“They’re coming out in batches to not bog down the postal system, so people will be getting their cards at different times,” said Partnership Specialist for the Census Bureau Jean Hough. “But we’ve learned that you can still go online without your self-identification number that comes on the card and self-identify through your address, then take your Census that way.”

Census Day will be April 1 nationally, but you can begin taking your census online beginning in March. With the time nearly upon us, what are some important things that you should know about the census?

“The US Federal Government has more than $675 billion to give away annually,” said Hough. “That money is allocated through one thing and one thing only: census numbers, how many people do you have in your community. The money follows the numbers, not the need. So, you’ve got to have your numbers counted to get your piece of that money.”

People are counted wherever they are come Census Day on April 1, so those who are out of their home state are counted towards wherever they find themselves on the first of April. For each person who does not fill out their Census, that’s $1,600 per person that the state loses. Money from the Census goes towards school lunches, veteran’s programs, Medicaid and Medicare, transportation, and various other organizations and nonprofits. Additionally, Alabama is in jeopardy of losing one, and possibly two seats in the House of Representatives, which a complete Census count could prevent.

Governor Kay Ivey is hoping for a 90% completion rate for the 2020 Census. Everyone who lives in a household needs to be counted, regardless of their age. Those who are in temporary living arrangements should also be counted as part of the household on the day the Census is filled out.

The Census can be filled out online, via phone calls to the Census Bureau, or through paper applications. Those who have not completed their Census by April will be visited by enumerators working for the Census Bureau who will be going door to door. They will be provided with tablets by the Census Bureau to help families complete their Census.

No one will ever be asked for personal information such as their social security number or citizenship information when completing the Census. As for the information that is entered such as address and phone number, the Census Bureau does not share information with other government entities. No names are associated with the Census, and no questions will be asked concerning taxes, social security number, or citizenship.

“If someone shows up at your door and claims they’re from the Census Bureau and then asks for your social security number or your credit card information, then it’s a scam,” Hough said. “When we send someone out into the field, they’re going to have a bag and a computer both with the Census logo on them, and they’re going to have a badge with an ID number that can be called into the bureau and verified.”

Be on the lookout for your Census ID card in the mail, and check out https://www.census.gov/ for more information on the 2020 Census.