Pa. Reminds Residents That 'Everyone Counts' in U.S. Census

The Gov. Tom Wolf Administration on Jan. 13 urged Pennsylvanians to participate in the 2020 U.S. Census this year.

The reminder to participate included a Harrisburg rally which was attended by Second Lady Gisele Fetterman, representatives from the Department of Community of Economic Development (DCED), and Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Teresa Miller.

The once-a-decade U.S. Census captures increases, decreases, and changes in community demographics, and is used to decide how many seats each state gets in the U.S. House of Representatives.

It also determines the amount of federal funding Pennsylvania can receive for important programs and services, including Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the National School Lunch Program, Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies, Special Education grants, Head Start, highway planning and construction, very low to moderate income housing loans, rural rental assistance payments, and unemployment insurance administration.

“In Pennsylvania, everyone counts, and that’s why we need to ensure that everyone living in the commonwealth participates in the 2020 U.S. Census,” said DCED Secretary Dennis Davin. “Our representation and billions of dollars of funding for critical resources depend on an accurate count of all residents, no matter who they are or where they live.”

Census determines federal funding levels

Through the U.S. Census count, Pennsylvania receives $26.8 billion annually for federally-funded programs, amounting to about $2,000 per Pennsylvanian per year. That funding includes:

• The Nutrition Services component of the Older Americans Act, which uses Census data to direct more than $31 million for Nutrition Services for older Pennsylvanians.

• Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) program, which constructs affordable housing and public facilities, infrastructure enhancements, and job creation initiatives, and receives more than $196 million in funding;

• More than $1.68 billion in funding authorized by the 2015 Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, the largest portion of it designated for maintenance of national highways and construction and repair of bridges and other highway facilities;

• More than $365 million allocated to the Children’s Health Insurance Program;

• Six programs targeting rural communities amounting to $760,728,267 (Very Low to Moderate Income Housing Loans: $610,322,282; Rural Electrification Loans and Loan Guarantees: $18,000,000; Water and Waste Disposal Systems for Rural Communities: $54,938,900; Rural Rental Assistance Payments: $33,889,200; Business and Industry Loans $26,410,000; Cooperative Extension Service: $17,167,885);

• Education assistance, including more than $5 billion for Federal Direct student loans, $840 million for the Federal Pell Grant program, $567 million in Title I grants for schools, and $436 million in special education grants.

Census concerns

Residents can respond to the form by mail, by phone, and for the first time ever, online.

Most households will receive their census invitation in the mail by April 1, 2020. Households that are in remote areas or use a P.O. Box will be visited in person by a Census taker.

Beginning in April 2020, Census takers will visit college campuses, senior centers, and group homes. In May, the Census Bureau will begin visiting those who have not responded. Population counts will be submitted to the federal government in December 2020.

Residents do not need to be concerned about safety and security, as Census answers can’t be used against an individual, and data security is managed by security experts operating at the highest levels.

Under Title 13 of the U.S. Code, the U.S. Census Bureau cannot release any information that identifies individuals, and anyone who breaks this law faces a fine of up to $250,000 and/or up to five years in prison.

For more information and resources related to the 2020 U.S. Census, please visit pa.gov/census.