Gov Andrew M. Cuomo Tuesday kicked off the state’s Census Push Week to encourage state residents to fill out the 2020 U.S. Census before the Oct. 31 deadline.
The goal is to ensure that all New Yorkers are counted in the Census.
“The Census gives New Yorkers the chance to profoundly affect our state’s future, and since federal funding and representation in Congress are determined by the Census count, it’s absolutely critical that every New Yorker is counted and that residents are informed that Census responses, regardless of the respondents’ immigration or citizenship status, are confidential, safe and secure,” Cuomo said. “There’s no doubt that COVID-19 has presented unprecedented obstacles to completing the Census. However, the pandemic also highlights a key reason why the Census is so vital—New York State continues to seek substantial funding and aid from the federal government. I urge every New Yorker to complete the Census, and remember, New York State can help if you encounter any issues along the way.”
As part of Census Push Week, the Office for New Americans is hosting a Census Hotline Phone Bank Event on Aug.5-6 from 2pm to 4pm to provide information and answer questions about the Census.
The hotline phone bank event will be primarily Spanish-language, with full multi-language access available for all callers. ONA is partnering with El Diario and Telemundo to help promote the phone bank and increase participation of the Latino community.
State agencies are continuing outreach activities to encourage New Yorkers to fill out the Census, including:
- MTA is distributing census information across more than 5,434 digital screens in its system, including stations and transit vehicles.
- The Department of State is training its network of Community Action Agencies, which promote services that combat poverty, to raise awareness of the Census. In addition, the DOS Division of Licensing Services, which interacts with more than 800,000 New Yorkers in 39 occupations, is promoting the Census through its customer service phone line.
- The Department of Financial Services is delivering messages and coordinating their use among the community banks, banks in underbanked areas, check cashers, and money transmission officers, among other entities licensed by the agency.
- Empire State Development is promoting the Census with and distributing materials to the REDCs and their members, welcome centers and other ESD facilities, among other activities.