The U.S. Census Bureau has sent the American Community Survey to 3 million people.
ATLANTA (WXIA) -- If you're one of the 3 million people to receive the American Community Survey this year, you'll be required to tell the U.S. government if you have a working toilet, what time you leave for work, and how many bedrooms are in your house.
"I don't understand it," said Beth Cherepy, whose mother received the survey. "It's too much of the government getting into your business."
The American Community Survey is sent out once a year by the U.S. Census Bureau. The purpose, according to the bureau, is to gather information that is used to distribute 400-billion dollars in federal and state funds.
People who receive the survey are required by law to answer all of the questions.
Included in the survey are questions about a person's income, the size of their home, their income, and how much they've paid in taxes.
The survey also asks if you have trouble concentrating, how many cars you own, and if your home has hot and cold running water.
When Beth Cherepy's mother failed to fill out the survey the first time she received it, she got another packet in the mail. When she refused to answer all of the questions the second time around, she got a call from the Census Bureau. When she explained that she was uncomfortable answering some of the more personal questions, the representative of the bureau understood.
"It's just too invasive," said Cherepy. "If I chose to give it to you that's something I choose to do, but if I don't want to give you that information it should be left alone."
RELATED | View entire survey
Scott Boggess of the Census Bureau says he understands why some people would consider the questions invasive.
"The Census Bureau really goes out of its way to respect the privacy of households and to protect the confidentiality of the data," said Boggess. "In order to get a question on the American Community Survey, there really has to be a mandated federal need for that information."
Boggess says in 2008, data collected from the survey was used to $5 billion in federal funds in the Atlanta, Sandy Springs, and Marietta area.
According to the Census Bureau's website, information about a person's commute, including when they leave home for work, is used to plan highway improvements. The bureau wants to know if you have difficulty remembering in order to meet the needs of the disabled. As for whether or not you have a flush toilet, the bureau claims that information is used to determine areas in need of public assistance.
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