Take the U.S. Census Today -- Make Sure Every New Mexican is Counted

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Even though these are difficult and uncertain times, it is still vitally important that New Mexicans take a few minutes and fill out the 2020 Census so we have an accurate count. New Mexico is historically the most under-counted state in the nation, which costs us millions of dollars in federal funding.

The Census count, among other things, helps determine federal funding for all kinds of programs. New Mexico receives about $7,816,466,854 in Federal funding annually using data from the 2010 Census.

These programs include medical assistance, school lunches, housing, energy assistance, road construction, business loans, Head Start, WIC, federal transit grants, and many more. It determines where to build new schools, hospitals and businesses and how many representatives each state will have in Congress.

“We want people to know that their response is critical because so many local programs’ survival and level of service are directly tied to the federal funding they receive,” said Beth Velasquez, AARP New Mexico Associate State Director for Communications. “The free meals available to children at the local elementary school; transportation funds that are used for bus services and road repair; and business loans – these are all programs right here in New Mexico that the Census count impacts.”

“We are asking all New Mexicans to take a few minutes right now, today to fill out the Census and be counted,” Velasquez said.

Many people have already received a packet in the mail from the Census, but if you have not or can’t find your packet, you can take the Census today at my2020census.gov or by calling 1-844-330-2020.

The U.S. Census Bureau is bound by law to protect the privacy and confidentiality of everyone who responds to the Census. Your personal information cannot be used against you in any way. By law, your personal information cannot be shared with anyone else and it can’t be accessed by the police department, DHS, ICE, FBI, or CIA.

Beware of scammers who might use the Census as a means to get your personal information. Look for these red flags:

• An e-mail claiming to be from the Census Bureau – legitimate contact is almost always done by mail;
• A person pretending to be Census worker asks for money, financial information such as a bank account or account balance, credit card information or your Social Security number; or threatens to have your arrested.

If you have a concern a Census worker is not legitimate or have questions about what is being asked call the AARP Fraud Watch Network at 1-877-908-3360.
But better yet, take the Census now at my2020census.gov and you will be counted.