Hello Off-Campus and Commuting Beacons!
The official Census Day began on April 1st, but there is still time to take the Census if you haven’t! The Census Day is a key reference date for the 2020 Census—not a deadline. This day is used to determine who is counted and where in the 2020 Census. When you respond, you'll tell the Census Bureau where you live as of April 1, 2020, and include everyone who usually lives and sleeps in your home.
Remember to register at your local off-campus address, if you have one. This should be the address that you were staying at regularly while attending school before issues with the COVID-19 came about.
Your city and towns depend on your household to respond so that our communities get their fair share of federal funding and representation for the resources needed. Much of the funding that comes from the Census count helps the most vulnerable among us. It provides, for instance, health care (Medicare and Medicaid), public education (grants for special education and Boston Public Schools), food and nutrition programs (SNAP and free school breakfast/lunch programs), affordable housing (Section 8 vouchers), and child care (Head Start) for low-income families.
You can respond to the 2020 Census online (
my2020census.gov
), over the
phone
, or by mail. You can respond to the 2020 Census online or over the phone in 13 different languages. Responses to the 2020 Census are safe, secure, and protected by federal law. Your answers can only be used to produce statistics and cannot be used against you by any government agency or court. The Census Bureau can’t share your personal information with DHS, law enforcement, or your landlord until 72 years have passed. It won’t affect any public benefits you receive. Learn more about why we take the census at the video below:
