OMB approves consistent with the commitment identified in Supporting Statement B to cognitively test the questions in parallel with data collection and to submit nonsubstantive change requests to OMB for any changes to methods or content.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
10/31/2020
6 Months From Approved
297,000
0
0
9,900
0
0
0
0
0
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) requests an emergency 180-day approval of an emergency Information Collection Request (ICR) to add five questions to the Current Population Survey (CPS) to collect data on the effects of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and the attempts to constrain the spread of the illness. These CPS data will be collected monthly for 180 days. If BLS decides that the questions should remain in the CPS for a period longer than 180 days, a formal extension of this clearance will be sought through a revision to the currently approved Basic Labor Force: OMB Control Number 1220-0100 (which expires on January 31, 2021).
These questions will allow policy makers to evaluate how the impacts of COVID-19 on the job market are changing over time. In addition, these data will be tied to the key measures produced by the CPS, including the national unemployment rate and the labor force participation rate. These are among the first labor market indicators to appear each month, so having these questions on COVID-19 included in the CPS will provide a timely picture into the impact of the illness.
Economic data will be used to inform policy decisions related to Americans affected by the pandemic.
BLS has determined that this information must be collected prior to the time periods established under Part 1320 of the PRA and that this information is essential to the mission of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to assess the impact of the outbreak of a novel coronavirus on the U.S. Economy.
BLS cannot reasonably comply with the normal clearance procedures under the PRA as an unanticipated event has occurred and BLS has an urgent necessity to collect this information from the American public to assess the damage to the U.S. economy resulting from this pandemic.
Therefore, BLS requests a 180-day emergency clearance to add additional questions to the Current Population Survey (CPS) to capture the impact of the virus and economic actions that are being taken to help the U.S. economy.
US Code:
13 USC 182
Name of Law: Census Authorizing Statute
US Code:
13 USC 9
Name of Law: Census Confidentiality Statute
US Code:
29 USC 1-9
Name of Law: BLS Authorizing Statute
This is a new collection to add five questions to the existing Current Population Survey (CPS) to collect data on the effects of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The new questions will be included in the CPS for six months. The estimated burden to collect these new questions for six months is expected to be 9,900 hours.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
CPS Emergerncy OMB Clearance Memo.pdf
Supporting_B-CPS_COVID-19.docx
Addition of Questions to the Current Population Survey – Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)