Census Bureau Rolls Out New Job App Form for 2026
Published Date: 7/24/2025
Notice
Summary
The Census Bureau is launching a new online form to collect info from nearly 12,000 people applying for temporary census jobs starting with the 2026 Census Test. This helps pick the best candidates quickly and fairly, while keeping the process smooth and easy. The government is asking for public feedback on this form for 30 more days, aiming to keep the paperwork light and efficient.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
New online applicant form and time burden
If you apply for temporary, intermittent Decennial Census jobs, you must fill a new online form for the 2026 Census Test. The Bureau expects about 11,970 applicants (7,358 becoming candidates); each applicant response averages 0.61 hours and candidate responses average 0.19 hours, for a total estimated burden of 8,731 hours.
Collection of personal and sensitive data
The application form collects personal identifiers and eligibility data such as Social Security numbers, date of birth, contact information, citizenship status, selective service status, veterans' preference and documentation, Federal employment/annuity status, access to transportation, hours of availability, and related job experience.
One application covers multiple positions
The collection allows one set of application data to be used to consider applicants for several temporary census positions, and if an applicant becomes a candidate for more than one position they generally only need to verify previously answered questions rather than re-answer everything.
Voluntary EEOC demographic and recruiting questions
The form includes a voluntary supplemental section with EEOC demographic questions (EEOC common use form 3046-0046), plus recruiting source and education questions to help improve future recruiting efforts; answering these supplemental questions is optional.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-20249, Notice of Data Sharing Activity
Starting October 2, 2026, the Census Bureau will share some business survey data with the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) to help make U.S. economic stats more accurate and efficient. This affects businesses that voluntarily provide info in Census surveys, with no legal pressure to share. Only trusted BEA staff sworn to keep data secret will see the info, and there’s no cost impact for businesses.
2026-20153, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Quarterly Services Survey (QSS)
The U.S. Census Bureau wants to keep running the Quarterly Services Survey for three more years without changes. This survey asks certain U.S. service businesses for info to help track the economy. If you’re involved, you can comment by November 30, 2026, but there’s no new cost or extra paperwork planned.
2026-20155, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics (LEHD)
The Census Bureau wants to keep collecting data for the Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics (LEHD) program, which helps track jobs and workers over time. They’re asking the public to comment by November 30, 2026, before they get final approval from the Office of Management and Budget. This keeps the data flowing without adding extra hassle or cost to businesses and workers.
2026-20167, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; DOC-Census Workforce Development Collection
The Census Bureau is asking for approval to collect info from 230 workforce training groups linked to Manufacturing USA and two grant programs. This new data will help track how well these training programs work by connecting participant info with Census data. The goal? To make smarter decisions about future workforce investments without adding too much extra work—each group spends just 1-2 hours a year on this.
2026-19301, Proposed Data Sharing Activity
The Census Bureau wants to share some business data with the Bureau of Economic Analysis to help improve economic reports. This change affects businesses whose data is collected and aims to make government info more useful without extra costs. People have until November 23, 2026, to share their thoughts on this plan.
2026-18481, Decennial Census of the Population of Americans; Proposed Residence Criteria and Proposed Regulations for Demographic Questions
The Census Bureau is proposing to add two new parts to the Code of Federal Regulations governing the decennial census of population and housing. First, the Census Bureau is proposing to add a part outlining the residence criteria used for identifying each person's "usual residence," as needed to determine whether and where to count them in the census of the population throughout the United States. Second, the Census Bureau is proposing to add a part establishing standards and restrictions for the inclusion of certain demographic questions on the decennial census short-form questionnaire and any other questionnaire used for the enumeration of the population. The Census Bureau is considering these two additions to better prioritize and fulfill its Constitutional mandate to count for apportionment the "whole number of persons in each State" based on the concept of "usual residence"--a process that factors in an element of allegiance but otherwise should be colorblind and should not be distorted in any way by questions about immaterial personal characteristics, such as race. Although these two parts are somewhat related and complementary, each is being proposed independently based on its own merits. These proposals are intended to ensure fidelity to the Constitution, improve and protect the core decennial census data, and promote efficiency.
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