"The U.S. Census Bureau plans to request clearance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a field test of the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) in calendar year 2027. This collection will be in lieu of a national collection using the questionnaires, systems, and processes in place since 2014.
"As SIPP is the premier source of comprehensive information on the dynamics of income, employment, household composition, and government program participation, testing the impact of the multi-mode data collection, statistical methods improvements, and agency-wide collection and processing systems is critical. The Census Bureau is implementing a multi-year testing strategy. In the summer of 2026, the Census Bureau is conducting an internet self-response field test using a subset of the redesigned SIPP instrument items on a national sample to assess the feasibility of a self-administered data collection (OMB number 0607-0978).
"The goals of the 2027 SIPP field test are to build upon the 2026 test by adding content to the questionnaire; introducing a multi-mode survey that incorporates both self-response and non-response computer assisted personal interviewing (CAPI); introducing alternative sample and weighting methodologies; and using the Census Bureau's Business Ecosystem entities for all aspects of the survey process. We will use the test to evaluate the frame, sample, weighting, and non-response bias; to demonstrate the application of the new systems and processes to the SIPP design; research additional opportunities to reduce respondent burden through the use of administrative data systems; and to assess the quality of key estimates using the new methodologies. The 2027 SIPP field test will be an important step toward building the modern program."
