2011 Field Test of the Re-engineered Survey of Income and Program Participation

SIPP-105(L)DR(2011)(CA)
(8-2010)

DC

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

FROM THE DIRECTOR
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
Dear Resident:
The Census Bureau routinely conducts a survey on the economic situation of persons and
families in the United States. In that survey, we ask questions on topics such as jobs, earnings,
and participation in various government programs. We use the information obtained from the
survey to learn more about how people are meeting their everyday expenses and how
government programs are working.
We are currently redesigning this survey to ensure that the results continue to provide a clear
picture of our country’s economic well–being. A Census Bureau field representative, who will
display an official identification card, will call on you in the next few days. The field
representative will be asking you questions on the topics mentioned above in a different way
than ever before. We will use the results from this study to determine how well the new way of
asking questions obtains information.
Your participation is essential to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the data for this
study. Although there are no penalties for failure to answer any question in this voluntary study,
each unanswered question substantially lessens the accuracy of the final results.
We conduct this study under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, Section 182. Section
9 of Title 13 requires that we hold all information about you and your household in strictest
confidence. By law, we may use this information only for statistical purposes and only in ways
that no information about you as an individual can be identified.
On the other side of this letter are the answers to frequently asked questions. Thank you for
your cooperation.
Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves
Director
For more information, contact:
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
US CENSUS BUREAU
15350 SHERMAN WAY STE 400
VAN NUYS CA 91406

USCENSUSBUREAU
Helping You Make Informed Decisions

www.census.gov

SIPP-105(L)DR(2011)(CO)
(8-2010)

DC

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

FROM THE DIRECTOR
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
Dear Resident:
The Census Bureau routinely conducts a survey on the economic situation of persons and
families in the United States. In that survey, we ask questions on topics such as jobs, earnings,
and participation in various government programs. We use the information obtained from the
survey to learn more about how people are meeting their everyday expenses and how
government programs are working.
We are currently redesigning this survey to ensure that the results continue to provide a clear
picture of our country’s economic well–being. A Census Bureau field representative, who will
display an official identification card, will call on you in the next few days. The field
representative will be asking you questions on the topics mentioned above in a different way
than ever before. We will use the results from this study to determine how well the new way of
asking questions obtains information.
Your participation is essential to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the data for this
study. Although there are no penalties for failure to answer any question in this voluntary study,
each unanswered question substantially lessens the accuracy of the final results.
We conduct this study under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, Section 182. Section
9 of Title 13 requires that we hold all information about you and your household in strictest
confidence. By law, we may use this information only for statistical purposes and only in ways
that no information about you as an individual can be identified.
On the other side of this letter are the answers to frequently asked questions. Thank you for
your cooperation.
Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves
Director
For more information, contact:
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
US CENSUS BUREAU
6900 W JEFFERSON AVE STE 100
DENVER CO 80235–2032

USCENSUSBUREAU
Helping You Make Informed Decisions

www.census.gov

SIPP-105(L)DR(2011)(GA)
(8-2010)

DC

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

FROM THE DIRECTOR
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
Dear Resident:
The Census Bureau routinely conducts a survey on the economic situation of persons and
families in the United States. In that survey, we ask questions on topics such as jobs, earnings,
and participation in various government programs. We use the information obtained from the
survey to learn more about how people are meeting their everyday expenses and how
government programs are working.
We are currently redesigning this survey to ensure that the results continue to provide a clear
picture of our country’s economic well–being. A Census Bureau field representative, who will
display an official identification card, will call on you in the next few days. The field
representative will be asking you questions on the topics mentioned above in a different way
than ever before. We will use the results from this study to determine how well the new way of
asking questions obtains information.
Your participation is essential to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the data for this
study. Although there are no penalties for failure to answer any question in this voluntary study,
each unanswered question substantially lessens the accuracy of the final results.
We conduct this study under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, Section 182. Section
9 of Title 13 requires that we hold all information about you and your household in strictest
confidence. By law, we may use this information only for statistical purposes and only in ways
that no information about you as an individual can be identified.
On the other side of this letter are the answers to frequently asked questions. Thank you for
your cooperation.
Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves
Director
For more information, contact:
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
US CENSUS BUREAU
101 MARIETTA ST NW STE 3200
ATLANTA GA 30303–2711

USCENSUSBUREAU
Helping You Make Informed Decisions

www.census.gov

SIPP-105(L)DR(2011)(IL)
(8-2010)

DC

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

FROM THE DIRECTOR
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
Dear Resident:
The Census Bureau routinely conducts a survey on the economic situation of persons and
families in the United States. In that survey, we ask questions on topics such as jobs, earnings,
and participation in various government programs. We use the information obtained from the
survey to learn more about how people are meeting their everyday expenses and how
government programs are working.
We are currently redesigning this survey to ensure that the results continue to provide a clear
picture of our country’s economic well–being. A Census Bureau field representative, who will
display an official identification card, will call on you in the next few days. The field
representative will be asking you questions on the topics mentioned above in a different way
than ever before. We will use the results from this study to determine how well the new way of
asking questions obtains information.
Your participation is essential to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the data for this
study. Although there are no penalties for failure to answer any question in this voluntary study,
each unanswered question substantially lessens the accuracy of the final results.
We conduct this study under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, Section 182. Section
9 of Title 13 requires that we hold all information about you and your household in strictest
confidence. By law, we may use this information only for statistical purposes and only in ways
that no information about you as an individual can be identified.
On the other side of this letter are the answers to frequently asked questions. Thank you for
your cooperation.
Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves
Director
For more information, contact:
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
US CENSUS BUREAU
1111 W 22ND ST STE 400
OAK BROOK IL 60523–1918

USCENSUSBUREAU
Helping You Make Informed Decisions

www.census.gov

SIPP-105(L)DR(2011)(KS)
(8-2010)

DC

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

FROM THE DIRECTOR
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
Dear Resident:
The Census Bureau routinely conducts a survey on the economic situation of persons and
families in the United States. In that survey, we ask questions on topics such as jobs, earnings,
and participation in various government programs. We use the information obtained from the
survey to learn more about how people are meeting their everyday expenses and how
government programs are working.
We are currently redesigning this survey to ensure that the results continue to provide a clear
picture of our country’s economic well–being. A Census Bureau field representative, who will
display an official identification card, will call on you in the next few days. The field
representative will be asking you questions on the topics mentioned above in a different way
than ever before. We will use the results from this study to determine how well the new way of
asking questions obtains information.
Your participation is essential to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the data for this
study. Although there are no penalties for failure to answer any question in this voluntary study,
each unanswered question substantially lessens the accuracy of the final results.
We conduct this study under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, Section 182. Section
9 of Title 13 requires that we hold all information about you and your household in strictest
confidence. By law, we may use this information only for statistical purposes and only in ways
that no information about you as an individual can be identified.
On the other side of this letter are the answers to frequently asked questions. Thank you for
your cooperation.
Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves
Director
For more information, contact:
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
US CENSUS BUREAU
1211 N 8TH STREET
KANSAS CITY KS 66101–2129

USCENSUSBUREAU
Helping You Make Informed Decisions

www.census.gov

SIPP-105(L)DR(2011)(MA)
(8-2010)

DC

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

FROM THE DIRECTOR
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
Dear Resident:
The Census Bureau routinely conducts a survey on the economic situation of persons and
families in the United States. In that survey, we ask questions on topics such as jobs, earnings,
and participation in various government programs. We use the information obtained from the
survey to learn more about how people are meeting their everyday expenses and how
government programs are working.
We are currently redesigning this survey to ensure that the results continue to provide a clear
picture of our country’s economic well–being. A Census Bureau field representative, who will
display an official identification card, will call on you in the next few days. The field
representative will be asking you questions on the topics mentioned above in a different way
than ever before. We will use the results from this study to determine how well the new way of
asking questions obtains information.
Your participation is essential to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the data for this
study. Although there are no penalties for failure to answer any question in this voluntary study,
each unanswered question substantially lessens the accuracy of the final results.
We conduct this study under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, Section 182. Section
9 of Title 13 requires that we hold all information about you and your household in strictest
confidence. By law, we may use this information only for statistical purposes and only in ways
that no information about you as an individual can be identified.
On the other side of this letter are the answers to frequently asked questions. Thank you for
your cooperation.
Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves
Director
For more information, contact:
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
US CENSUS BUREAU
PO BOX 9108
BOSTON MA 02117–9108

USCENSUSBUREAU
Helping You Make Informed Decisions

www.census.gov

SIPP-105(L)DR(2011)(MI)
(8-2010)

DC

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

FROM THE DIRECTOR
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
Dear Resident:
The Census Bureau routinely conducts a survey on the economic situation of persons and
families in the United States. In that survey, we ask questions on topics such as jobs, earnings,
and participation in various government programs. We use the information obtained from the
survey to learn more about how people are meeting their everyday expenses and how
government programs are working.
We are currently redesigning this survey to ensure that the results continue to provide a clear
picture of our country’s economic well–being. A Census Bureau field representative, who will
display an official identification card, will call on you in the next few days. The field
representative will be asking you questions on the topics mentioned above in a different way
than ever before. We will use the results from this study to determine how well the new way of
asking questions obtains information.
Your participation is essential to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the data for this
study. Although there are no penalties for failure to answer any question in this voluntary study,
each unanswered question substantially lessens the accuracy of the final results.
We conduct this study under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, Section 182. Section
9 of Title 13 requires that we hold all information about you and your household in strictest
confidence. By law, we may use this information only for statistical purposes and only in ways
that no information about you as an individual can be identified.
On the other side of this letter are the answers to frequently asked questions. Thank you for
your cooperation.
Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves
Director
For more information, contact:
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
US CENSUS BUREAU
1395 BREWERY PARK BLVD STE 100
DETROIT MI 48207–2635

USCENSUSBUREAU
Helping You Make Informed Decisions

www.census.gov

SIPP-105(L)DR(2011)(NC)
(8-2010)

DC

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

FROM THE DIRECTOR
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
Dear Resident:
The Census Bureau routinely conducts a survey on the economic situation of persons and
families in the United States. In that survey, we ask questions on topics such as jobs, earnings,
and participation in various government programs. We use the information obtained from the
survey to learn more about how people are meeting their everyday expenses and how
government programs are working.
We are currently redesigning this survey to ensure that the results continue to provide a clear
picture of our country’s economic well–being. A Census Bureau field representative, who will
display an official identification card, will call on you in the next few days. The field
representative will be asking you questions on the topics mentioned above in a different way
than ever before. We will use the results from this study to determine how well the new way of
asking questions obtains information.
Your participation is essential to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the data for this
study. Although there are no penalties for failure to answer any question in this voluntary study,
each unanswered question substantially lessens the accuracy of the final results.
We conduct this study under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, Section 182. Section
9 of Title 13 requires that we hold all information about you and your household in strictest
confidence. By law, we may use this information only for statistical purposes and only in ways
that no information about you as an individual can be identified.
On the other side of this letter are the answers to frequently asked questions. Thank you for
your cooperation.
Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves
Director
For more information, contact:
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
US CENSUS BUREAU
901 CENTER PARK DR STE 106
CHARLOTTE NC 28217–2935

USCENSUSBUREAU
Helping You Make Informed Decisions

www.census.gov

SIPP-105(L)DR(2011)(NY)
(8-2010)

DC

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

FROM THE DIRECTOR
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
Dear Resident:
The Census Bureau routinely conducts a survey on the economic situation of persons and
families in the United States. In that survey, we ask questions on topics such as jobs, earnings,
and participation in various government programs. We use the information obtained from the
survey to learn more about how people are meeting their everyday expenses and how
government programs are working.
We are currently redesigning this survey to ensure that the results continue to provide a clear
picture of our country’s economic well–being. A Census Bureau field representative, who will
display an official identification card, will call on you in the next few days. The field
representative will be asking you questions on the topics mentioned above in a different way
than ever before. We will use the results from this study to determine how well the new way of
asking questions obtains information.
Your participation is essential to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the data for this
study. Although there are no penalties for failure to answer any question in this voluntary study,
each unanswered question substantially lessens the accuracy of the final results.
We conduct this study under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, Section 182. Section
9 of Title 13 requires that we hold all information about you and your household in strictest
confidence. By law, we may use this information only for statistical purposes and only in ways
that no information about you as an individual can be identified.
On the other side of this letter are the answers to frequently asked questions. Thank you for
your cooperation.
Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves
Director
For more information, contact:
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
US CENSUS BUREAU
395 HUDSON ST STE 800
NEW YORK NY 10014–7451

USCENSUSBUREAU
Helping You Make Informed Decisions

www.census.gov

SIPP-105(L)DR(2011)(PA)
(8-2010)

DC

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

FROM THE DIRECTOR
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
Dear Resident:
The Census Bureau routinely conducts a survey on the economic situation of persons and
families in the United States. In that survey, we ask questions on topics such as jobs, earnings,
and participation in various government programs. We use the information obtained from the
survey to learn more about how people are meeting their everyday expenses and how
government programs are working.
We are currently redesigning this survey to ensure that the results continue to provide a clear
picture of our country’s economic well–being. A Census Bureau field representative, who will
display an official identification card, will call on you in the next few days. The field
representative will be asking you questions on the topics mentioned above in a different way
than ever before. We will use the results from this study to determine how well the new way of
asking questions obtains information.
Your participation is essential to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the data for this
study. Although there are no penalties for failure to answer any question in this voluntary study,
each unanswered question substantially lessens the accuracy of the final results.
We conduct this study under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, Section 182. Section
9 of Title 13 requires that we hold all information about you and your household in strictest
confidence. By law, we may use this information only for statistical purposes and only in ways
that no information about you as an individual can be identified.
On the other side of this letter are the answers to frequently asked questions. Thank you for
your cooperation.
Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves
Director
For more information, contact:
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
US CENSUS BUREAU
833 CHESTNUT ST STE 504
PHILADELPHIA PA 19107–4405

USCENSUSBUREAU
Helping You Make Informed Decisions

www.census.gov

SIPP-105(L)DR(2011)(TX)
(8-2010)

DC

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

FROM THE DIRECTOR
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
Dear Resident:
The Census Bureau routinely conducts a survey on the economic situation of persons and
families in the United States. In that survey, we ask questions on topics such as jobs, earnings,
and participation in various government programs. We use the information obtained from the
survey to learn more about how people are meeting their everyday expenses and how
government programs are working.
We are currently redesigning this survey to ensure that the results continue to provide a clear
picture of our country’s economic well–being. A Census Bureau field representative, who will
display an official identification card, will call on you in the next few days. The field
representative will be asking you questions on the topics mentioned above in a different way
than ever before. We will use the results from this study to determine how well the new way of
asking questions obtains information.
Your participation is essential to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the data for this
study. Although there are no penalties for failure to answer any question in this voluntary study,
each unanswered question substantially lessens the accuracy of the final results.
We conduct this study under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, Section 182. Section
9 of Title 13 requires that we hold all information about you and your household in strictest
confidence. By law, we may use this information only for statistical purposes and only in ways
that no information about you as an individual can be identified.
On the other side of this letter are the answers to frequently asked questions. Thank you for
your cooperation.
Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves
Director
For more information, contact:
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
US CENSUS BUREAU
8585 N STEMMONS FRWY STE 800 S
DALLAS TX 75247–3836

USCENSUSBUREAU
Helping You Make Informed Decisions

www.census.gov

SIPP-105(L)DR(2011)(WA)
(8-2010)

DC

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233-0001
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

FROM THE DIRECTOR
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
Dear Resident:
The Census Bureau routinely conducts a survey on the economic situation of persons and
families in the United States. In that survey, we ask questions on topics such as jobs, earnings,
and participation in various government programs. We use the information obtained from the
survey to learn more about how people are meeting their everyday expenses and how
government programs are working.
We are currently redesigning this survey to ensure that the results continue to provide a clear
picture of our country’s economic well–being. A Census Bureau field representative, who will
display an official identification card, will call on you in the next few days. The field
representative will be asking you questions on the topics mentioned above in a different way
than ever before. We will use the results from this study to determine how well the new way of
asking questions obtains information.
Your participation is essential to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the data for this
study. Although there are no penalties for failure to answer any question in this voluntary study,
each unanswered question substantially lessens the accuracy of the final results.
We conduct this study under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, Section 182. Section
9 of Title 13 requires that we hold all information about you and your household in strictest
confidence. By law, we may use this information only for statistical purposes and only in ways
that no information about you as an individual can be identified.
On the other side of this letter are the answers to frequently asked questions. Thank you for
your cooperation.
Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves
Director
For more information, contact:
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
US CENSUS BUREAU
601 UNION ST STE 3800
SEATTLE WA 98101–1047

USCENSUSBUREAU
Helping You Make Informed Decisions

www.census.gov

Why does the Census Bureau collect this information?
Although we conduct a census every ten years, some information needs to be updated more often. This
survey provides current data about a variety of important issues, such as changes people have
experienced in their jobs, health insurance coverage, and medical expenditures; the well–being of
children and adults; childcare and child support status; retirement and pension planning; participation in
government programs; and other information. Since the country changes rapidly, up–to–date facts are
necessary in order to create effective programs. Policymakers in government and private organizations
need current economic information to make informed decisions about programs that will affect people of
all income levels. Your voluntary participation is essential to ensure that this survey’s results are
complete and accurate.
How do I know the Census Bureau will protect my information?
The law authorizes the Census Bureau to collect information for this survey (Title 13, United States Code
(U.S.C.), Section 182). Section 9 of this law requires us to keep all information about you and your
household strictly confidential. The Census Bureau will use this information only for statistical purposes.
Everyone who has access to your responses is subject to a prison term, a fine up to $250,000, or both,
if any information is revealed that identifies you or your household.
How will the Census Bureau use the information that I provide?
Because Title 13 guarantees the confidentiality of your information, the Census Bureau will combine the
information you provide with that of others to produce statistics. To be efficient, the Census Bureau
attempts to obtain information you may have given to other agencies if you have participated in other
government programs. We do so because it helps to ensure your data are complete, and it reduces the
number of questions you are asked on this survey. The same confidentiality laws that protect your survey
answers also protect any additional information we collect (Title 13, U.S.C., Section 9). If you wish to
request that your information not be combined with information from other agencies, we ask that you
notify the field representative at the time of the interview.
How much time will the survey take?
We estimate that it will take about 30 minutes per person to collect the information. This includes time for
reviewing the instructions and completing and reviewing your answers. After the initial interview, we will
conduct a follow-up interview periodically, in order to learn how people’s economic situations change over
time. You may send comments regarding time estimates or any other aspect of this data collection
process, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Paperwork Reduction Project xxxx–xxxx, U.S.
Census Bureau, 4600 Silver Hill Road, Room 3K138, Washington, DC 20233. You may also e-mail
comments to ; use “Paperwork Project xxxx–xxxx” as the subject.
The U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved this survey and gave it OMB approval
Number xxxx–xxxx. Displaying this number shows that the Census Bureau is authorized to conduct this
survey. Please use this number in any correspondence concerning this survey.

SIPP-105(L)DR(2011) (8-2010)