Why is the Census so important to the disability community?

An accurate count impacts several important programs and services, such as MassHealth, Medicare, SSI, programs funded by the Rehabilitation Act, housing, Vocational Rehabilitation, accessible transit, and special education for children ages 3 through 5.

How is Census data used?

The data collected by the Census will be used to determine a host of issues critical to the disability community, including but not limited to:

• Help state and county agencies plan for eligible recipients under the Medicare, Medicaid (MassHealth), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs;
• Distribute funds and develop programs for people with disabilities and the elderly under the Rehabilitation Act;
• Distribute funds for housing for people with disabilities under the Housing and Urban Development Act;
• Allocate funds to states and local areas for employment and job training programs for veterans under the Job Training Partnership Act, Disabled Veterans Outreach Program;
• Ensure that comparable public transportation services are available for all segments of the population under the Americans with Disabilities Act;
• Award federal grants, under the Older Americans Act, based on the number of elderly people with physical and mental disabilities;
• Allocate funds for mass transit systems to provide facilities for people with disabilities under the Federal Transit Act;
• Provide housing assistance and supportive services for low-income individuals with HIV/AIDS and their families under the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program; and
• Make available special education for children ages 3 through 5 through Special Education Preschool Grants
• The drawing of Congressional, State House and State Senate district lines
• Distribution of Congressional seats to states

When and where will I receive a form?

The 2010 Census form will be mailed to your residence in March 2010.

What if I don't receive the form, need another form, or need assistance completing the form?

Call the Telephone Questionnaire Assistance Center at 1-866-872-6868. (If you prefer a Spanish-speaking operator, then dial 1-866-928-2010.) The lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week from February 25, 2010 through July 30, 2010. For the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, via FedRelay 1-866-783-2010 (during the times noted).

Is there another way to get the form other than the mail?

Extra “Be Counted” Census forms will be available at various community locations in Winona during March and April 2010. A list of locations will be available in late February/early March 2010.

What questions are asked on the 2010 Census form?

The Census Bureau will ask four general questions about the household:
• If the housing unit is owned or rented
• Telephone number
• How many people live in the residence
• If any additional people who lived at the residence on April 1, 2010, were not
included
And for each household member:
• Name
• Sex
• Age/date of birth
• Relationship to the person who owns or rents this residence
• Hispanic origin
• Race
• Does this person sometimes live or stay somewhere else

What if I am not a United States citizen?
A form should still be filled out. Census information is used only to count people and is confidential (see below).

Who sees my information?

By law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents’ answers with anyone, including the IRS, FBI, CIA or any other government agency. All Census Bureau employees take the oath of nondisclosure and are sworn for life to protect the confidentiality of the data. The penalty for unlawful disclosure is a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to 5 years, or both.

What if I don't fill in the form?

Residents who do not complete and return a 2010 Census form will receive a replacement form. After that, if no form is mailed back, residents can expect a personal visit from a Census taker some time after March 2010. The Census taker will ask you the questions on the form, record your answers and then submit the form for your household.

More information

As a Census Bureau partner, we are committed to helping achieve a complete count of our growing and changing population in 2010. Watch for additional details in the coming months, or visit 2010census.gov to learn more.