1. Helps First Responders

Completing Census Surveys Assist State & Federal Lawmakers Provide Resources & Funding to help Livingston County First Responders:

• Identify and assist the mitigation of natural and man-made hazards that might impact Livingston County Residents.
• Develop and maintain plans for major emergencies and disasters such as COVID-19, major floods, major snowstorms, and other human made or natural disasters.
• Provide the direction and coordination to identify and manage the resources needed for a major emergency or disaster.
• Serve as the focal point for the coordination and liaison between the Local, State, and Federal governments in response to and recovery from major emergencies and disasters.
• Comply with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and New York State Office of Emergency Management requirements for receipt of program information and funds.

2. Helps Students and Teachers

Census Surveys and counts impact federal funding communities receive each year for programs and services that are critical for schools, colleges, students, and younger children, such as:

• Funding and resources for local schools like school lunch programs, head start programs, special education programs, after school programs, classroom technology, and grants that support teachers who teach students living in Livingston County.
• Food assistance, including free and reduced-price school lunches.
• Maternal and child health programs.

3. Helps Maintain and Enhance Transportation Infrastructure

Completing Census Surveys Assist State & Federal Lawmakers Provide Resources & Funding to enhance & maintain transportation infrastructure in Livingston County:

• The planning and construction of roads for local, state and federal, highways in Livingston County.
• Aid for public transportation systems serving Livingston County.

4. Ensures fair Representation in Washington D.C.

Completing Census Surveys Assists the Federal Government in determining how many seats in the U.S. House of Representatives New York State have.

Confidentiality:

Your responses are protected by law. The U.S. Census Bureau cannot release any information that identifies you individually for 72 years. The Census Bureau uses your information for statistical purposes only, such as helping to inform decisions for new hospitals, schools and roads. 

The information collection process is designed with layers of security to keep your information safe and secure. No matter your method of response, your information is collected, transmitted and kept secure throughout the process. The Census Bureau works with the federal intelligence cyber community and industry experts to continuously update protections and safeguards.

Staying Safe at Home

If someone visits your home to collect a response for the Census, you can do the following to verify their identity:

• First, check to make sure that they have a valid ID badge, with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date.
• If it is determined that the visitor who came to your door does not work for the Census Bureau, contact your local police department.

The Census Bureau never asks for:

1. Social Security Numbers
2. Money or donations
3. Bank or credit card account numbers.
4. Anything on behalf of a political party

If someone claiming to be from the Census Bureau contacts you via phone or email and asks for one of the above numbered bullets, it is a scam. Do not provide additional information.