Monticello, NY – The final chance to respond to the 2020 U.S. Census is here, and Sullivan County still ranks second-to-last in Statewide response rates.
“Up to $3,000 in Federal aid is lost per year for each person who is not counted in the Census, and after the close of this Census on September 30, 2020, we will have to wait a full 10 years before we get another chance,” noted Sullivan County Census Coordinator Saraid Gonzalez. “With only 35.2% of our population responding to date, that’s millions of dollars that we risk never receiving – unless we all step up and do the right thing: fill out the Census.”
It’s easy and takes just 10 minutes:
- Don’t wait to receive a paper Census form – you may not get one
- Fill it out online at www.my2020census.gov
- Or fill it out over the phone at 1-844-330-2020
- Espanol: 1-844-468-2020
- Other languages: www.2020census.gov/en/languages.html
“Is this your second home? Do you rent rather than own your residence? Are you a college student here? Are you not a U.S. citizen? Doesn’t matter – you count if you’re here,” said Sullivan County Planning Commissioner Freda Eisenberg, co-chair of the County’s Complete Census Count Committee. “But the only way you can count … is to be counted.”
Any personally identifying information in responses to the U.S. Census are protected by law and cannot be divulged to other agencies.
“There will be no repercussions or consequences to you by filling out the Census,” promised Gonzalez. “On the other hand, there will be many consequences – for all of us in Sullivan County – if you don’t take the time to complete it. Please fill out the Census, for you, your family and the rest of your neighbors and friends here.”
In an effort to “get out the count,” Sullivan County and its partner agencies – Sullivan 180, Ramapo-Catskill Library System, Maternal Infant Services Network and Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library – have utilized State grant funding to create a blitz of videos, ads and events. See those outreach materials, and get the latest updates, at www.facebook.com/SullivanCountyCounts.