Connecticut Better Business Bureau: “American Community Survey” is part of the 2010 Census

April 6, 2010 - PRLog -- Connecticut BBB is alerting consumers that some households may receive not only the 2010 Census form, but also a second, more detailed questionnaire, known as the American Community Survey (ACS).  Response to both is required by law.

Since 2009 the Census Bureau has prepared us to receive the 10-question survey.  BBB received calls from people who were confused and alarmed when they also received the ACS form, which asks about individuals’ income and employment status.

While the 2010 Census form asks ten general questions about households and their occupants, the ACS questionnaire contains 69 questions. Neither survey however, includes any questions about bank or credit card accounts or Social Security numbers, nor do they require a signature.

The ACS replaces the decennial census long form and provides communities with detailed population and housing statistics every year.  The information not only helps your community get its fair share of federal funds, but also establish goals, identify problems and solutions, and measure the performance of programs. In addition, communities need data about the well being of children, families, and the elderly to provide services to them.

Responding to the 2010 Census and ACS is safe and required by law. None of the survey’s information is shared with anyone, including other government agencies.

The Census Bureau on occasion will mail or call households directly from a 1-800 number, but it will not send unsolicited e-mail.  

At any point in time the US Census Bureau distributes a number of different surveys to the American public and the topics and length vary. Before responding to a survey you received in the mail you can verify its legitimacy on the Census Bureau’s Web site at www.census.gov/survey_participants/. (Don’t forget the underscore between ‘survey’ and ‘participants’)

Other Resources:
If you need help completing the ACS survey or have other questions, you can reach the American Community Survey Help Line at 1-800-354-7271. Spanish-speaking operators are available at 1-877-833-5625.  Samples of both the 2010 Census and the ACS may be downloaded from the census Web site, at www.census.gov/acs, and a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page can be found at https://ask.census2010.gov.

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