Attachment E(c) - CE 303 L2R 2023

CE-303-L2R
(4-2024)

DC

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
U.S. Census Bureau
Office of the Director
Washington, DC 20233-0001

A Message from the Director, U.S. Census Bureau...
About three months ago, we contacted you to request your help with an important survey—the Consumer
Expenditure Survey. Although you were not able to participate at that time, we are writing again to ask for your
cooperation.
The U.S. Census Bureau is conducting this voluntary survey for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Your responses
help update the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI is one of the most important tools used to measure how
fast consumer prices are rising or declining and directly affects wages and pensions. Your response is a service
to your community and the country.
Your participation in this survey is essential. The U.S. Census Bureau is required by law to protect your
information. The Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release your responses in a way that could identify
you. We are conducting this survey under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, and Title 29, United
States Code. Federal law protects your privacy and keeps your answers confidential (Title 13 United States
Code, and Sections 9 and 214). Per the Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2015, your data are
protected from cybersecurity risks through screening of the systems that transmit your data.
Soon a field representative will contact you for an interview and show you an official identification card. Please
welcome him or her.
Thank you for your cooperation in this important survey. We appreciate your help.
Sincerely,

Robert L. Santos
Director

census.gov

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the Census Bureau doing? I thought they only operated every ten years.
In addition to the decennial census, we collect data on a monthly basis. We collect these data to provide
up-to-date information on topics such as unemployment, spending, family income, housing, manufacturing,
and business activities to track the country’s economy.
What is this survey about?
The Consumer Expenditure Survey measures how people in the United States spend their money on items
such as housing, food, education, transportation, and healthcare.
Why is this survey important?
The information you provide will affect wages, pensions, and the cost of goods and services. In addition,
people in your community and throughout the country use the survey results for planning public services
and addressing consumer needs. Your voluntary response is essential for ensuring that this survey’s results
are complete and accurate.
What kinds of questions will I be asked?
We will ask about expenses within the last 3 calendar months, such as utilities, maintenance and repairs,
home furnishings and electronics, clothing, education, vacations and entertainment, healthcare, and
insurance. In some instances, we will ask for details about where an item was purchased. We will also ask
you questions about the people who live in your household, such as their ages, and questions about things
you already own like cars and property. Collecting bills, receipts, or online statements before the field
representative arrives may help reduce the interview time.
Why me? Why not interview someone else?
Through a scientific sampling process, we selected your address, not you personally. Your household
represents hundreds of other households in your region, so it is important that we talk to you. Only you can
accurately report how you spent your money.
What if I am retired, ill, unemployed, or just don’t spend much money?
We are interested in how all people in the United States spend their money. We can only have a complete
picture if we talk to people with different situations.
It is very important to know the purchasing habits of people of all ages and of all levels of spending. This is
especially true for medical spending and spending on entertainment.
How long will the interview take?
The average interview takes about 63 minutes.
Where can I find out more about the survey?
You can learn more about the survey at the Consumer Expenditure Survey website. The address is
www.bls.gov/respondents/cex. Send any comments regarding the time estimate or any other aspect of this
survey by email to CEcomments@bls.gov.
This survey could not be conducted without a valid OMB Control Number. The U.S. Office
of Management and Budget has approved this survey and assigned it Control Number 1220-0050.

CE-303-L2R (4-2024)