The U.S. Census Bureau today announced the start of the newly redesigned Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), which collects data about Americans' economic well-being - including questions on poverty and participation in welfare programs, health insurance and medical expenses, family relationships and other related characteristics.

The survey provides a variety of federal agencies with data they need to produce crucial statistics about incomes in the United States. For example, the Department of Agriculture uses SIPP data to measure food stamp receipts, while the Social Security Administration uses it to model Supplemental Security Income benefits.

"We are very excited to be launching the new survey today," said Jason Fields, the survey's director, who has been leading the redesign effort since it began in 2008. "The Census Bureau has spent the past five years redesigning the survey from the ground up in an effort to decrease respondent burden while saving taxpayer dollars."

The 2014 SIPP will visit 52,000 households across the country between February and May, and data from this first wave of the 2014 SIPP panel will provide researchers and analysts with monthly data for all of calendar year 2013.

The new survey boasts a number of improvements, including the latest questionnaire design technology, clearer questions and improved integration across survey topics. Additionally, SIPP interviews are now annual instead of every four months, saving time for respondents and money for taxpayers without compromising accuracy.

A new, enhanced website is now available for more information about the Survey of Income and Program Participation, including the questionnaire and public-use data available for download. Please visit <//www.census.gov/sipp/>.

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