Beginning in October, field representatives of the U.S. Census Bureau will visit 45,000 randomly selected households nationwide to conduct the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), a continuous survey launched more than 20 years ago. One question they hope to answer: Is the median net worth (the difference between assets and liabilities) of U.S. households climbing as fast today as it has in the past?

     The survey also will track changes in the type of work people perform, the level of their education and whether they are actively looking for work. Respondents may also be asked questions on other topics such as: the cost of utilities, automobile ownership and the cost of work-related expenses. Since the survey is designed to measure change over time, the households chosen will remain in the survey through January 2008.

     “It is important that those selected for the Survey of Income and Program Participation respond because the results of the survey will enable policy-makers to address a multitude of critical issues,” said James Holmes, director of the Census Bureau’s Atlanta Regional Office. “Among these are how many and how frequently people have lapses in their health insurance; the characteristics of people with disabilities; the presence of health care provisions in child support agreements; and whether more people enter or exit poverty during a given year.”

     Households selected will receive a letter from Census Bureau Director Louis Kincannon informing them of the upcoming survey. As always, field representatives conducting interviews carry official photo identification cards. Most of the follow-up interviews are conducted by telephone. By law, all information that could identify survey respondents or their households is kept confidential.