Take Action! Weigh in on Federal Surveys and Forms 2025-08-13
by Meghan Maury
Every time the government makes a change to a survey or a form — or introduces a new survey or form — you have the right to weigh in on that decision. The Take Action! newsletter highlights surveys or forms the government is changing, renewing, or introducing. Click the links to tell the government what you think about the changes they are making.
Note: The Take Action tab of DataIndex.us provides information about even more surveys, forms, evaluations, and records notices than are listed in your weekly newsletter.
Race, Ethnicity, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity Changes
Farming Data: Agricultural Resource Management Phases 3 Economic Surveys. The ARMS are the primary source of information for the USDA on a broad range of issues related to agricultural resource use, cost of production, and farm sector financial conditions. USDA is proposing to update its questions on race and ethnicity to comply with new SPD15 standards but is asking to use the “minimal category version that does not include examples for each of the seven main race/ethnicity categories.” According to their supporting statement, "Additional questions on detailed race/ethnicity would require more time and effort from respondents, many of whom may already face time constraints."
Comments due August 18.
Surveys
Workplace Benefits: National Compensation Survey. The NCS collects data on employer costs for employee compensation, including wages and salaries, and benefits; compensation trends; and the incidence of employer-sponsored benefits among workers. These data are used to calculate statistics like change in labor costs over time, details of employer-provided health and retirement benefit plans, and wage data by occupation. BLS intends to eliminate several questions, including on sick leave carryover, non-medical premiums, the provision of other benefits, and workers compensation.
Comments due September 15.Population Data: Special Census Program. This program allows local officials to request a Special Census when there has been a significant population change in their community due to annexation, growth, or the addition of new group quarters facilities. Many states use Special Census population statistics to determine the distribution of state funds to local jurisdictions. The Census Bureau is proposing to extend this program in its current form without any changes.
Comments due September 9.Head Start: American Indian and Alaska Natives Facility Condition, Location, and Ownership Survey. This survey, conducted every five years, collects data on the condition, location, and ownership of facilities used by AIAN Head Start programs. Changes to the survey in this cycle include more detailed questions on facility safety (e.g., lead testing, pest control, disaster impact), clearer definitions of facility conditions, and expanded items on funding sources and barriers. These revisions aim to strengthen data on infrastructure challenges and needs across AIAN programs.
Comments due September 15.
Data Sharing Agreements
Social Security Payments: SSA Matching Program. Under this program, OPM will share civil service benefit and payment data with SSA, which will use that data to calculate civil service benefit offset obligations. SSA is legally required to offset Disability Insurance benefits under the Old-Age, Survivors, Disability Insurance (OASDI) program, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits and Special Veterans' Benefits (SVB), by a percentage of the benefit recipients' Federal Government retirement or disability benefits.
Comments due August 18.Student Loan Data: Federal Student Aid Partner Connect Records System. ED is consolidating some of its record systems - and associate web portals - into a unified digital front-end platform for entities participating in or involved in the administration of financial aid programs for postsecondary students authorized under title IV of the Higher Education Act. Because of that consolidation, ED is discontinuing use of two other records systems - the Student Aid Internet Gateway (SAIG) and the Postsecondary Education Participants System (PEPS). The notice also adds new users and routine uses, which include disclosure to states and law enforcement agencies for the purpose of identifying, preventing, or recouping improper payments, and disclosure to DOJ for advice on any matter.
Comments due August 14.
Forms
Unemployment Insurance Records: BLS Wage Records Data Application. This new form will allow states participating in the BLS Unemployment Insurance Wage Records Data Sharing Program to request data from other participating states for statistical research.
Comments due August 18.
Evaluations
Tech Hubs: Regional Economic Development Data Collection Instrument. This listing authorizes a one-time questionnaire that will be sent to EDA Tech Hubs consortium leads to gather data and stories to inform regional impact evaluations, resources, and tools for regional economic development decision-makers.
Comments due August 15.Smoking Cessation: The Real Cost Campaign Outcomes Evaluation Study. FDA is proposing further evaluation of its Real Cost Campaign, an effort which uses evidence-based messaging distributed through multiple channels, including paid media advertising, to highlight the negative health consequences of tobacco use to U.S. youth. The purpose of this study is to provide credible evidence that changes in key outcomes can be attributed to exposure to the campaign.
Comments due September 12.Human Trafficking: Evaluation of the National Human Trafficking Hotline: Understanding Engagement With the Community, Law Enforcement, and Other Hotlines. This collection will examine how the NHTH processes contacts, interacts with law enforcement and other hotline providers, and advertises its services to potential contractors.
Comments due September 15.
This newsletter is made possible by a very generous donation from the Leadership Conference Education Fund.