LYNN — There’s still plenty of time to take part in the U.S. census count, and the City of Lynn urges people to do so.
The U.S. government is conducting the census in hopes of accounting for all people living in the country. The objective is to collect data that could determine the amount of federal funding received by the city, as well as its representation at the state and federal levels.
Everyone’s personal information is protected by law and is never released to any other local, state, or federal agencies (Title 13 of the U.S. Code).
“It is incredibly important that all residents of the City of Lynn are accounted for in the 2020 Census,” said Mayor Thomas M. McGee. “By filling out your census form today, whether by paper or online, you will help ensure that our city receives the level of funding needed to provide our residents with the services they need and deserve.”
According to Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin, only 47.1 percent of Massachusetts households have responded to the census thus far, with most responding online. Households that have not responded yet have either already received or will receive a reminder letter accompanied by a paper questionnaire in the coming days.
Because of the COVID19 pandemic, the U.S. Census Bureau is making an effort to provide people with the opportunity to reply remotely via phone at (844) 330-2020 and online at https://2020census.gov/. People who haven’t already done so are urged to complete their forms via phone, online or by mail as soon as possible.
The Census is a quick 10-question survey that takes no more than 10 minutes to complete, McGee said, adding in a statement that given the COVID crisis, the city would prefer that everyone answer the census virtually to avoid any unnecessary person to person contact.
Census data determines federal and state funding to many programs such as SNAP, Section 8 Housing, and Title I Grants. It determines federal funding for healthcare, including Medicare and Medicaid, MassHealth, Children’s Health Insurance Program, and several Health Center programs. This data determines the funding that goes into Title I Grants, the Free and Reduced Lunch Program, Special Education Grants, and Head Start/ Early Head Start.
“In these critical times, we must all work together to ensure the fair and accurate count of all Lynn residents. I ask that everyone complete the Census and ensure they are counted towards the population of our country, state and city. So much depends on our prompt and timely response,” McGee said.
From now through the middle of June, census takers will work with administrators at colleges, senior centers, prisons, and other facilities that house large groups of people to make sure everyone is counted
From May 27 through Aug. 14, Census takers will interview homes that haven’t responded.
