Non-substantive Change (December 2025)

December 4, 2025

TO: Desk Officer for the U.S. Census Bureau

Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA)

FROM: Acting Survey Director, High Frequency Surveys

Associate Directorate Demographic Programs

SUBJECT: Request for Approval of Non-Substantive Change: Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey (HTOPS) October and December 2025 data collection timing

The Census Bureau is writing to request approval of a Non-Substantive Change to the timing of collecting the Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey (HTOPS) originally planned for October 2025 approved on September 24, 2025 (OMB No. 0607-1029). Refer to the 30-day notice in the Federal Register (90 FR 40560) published August 20, 2025. This request is in keeping with the Census Bureau’s commitment to foster transparency in its efforts to produce new, relevant and timely data on the impacts of national events—whether social, economic, or health-related.

The requested change consists of collecting the questionnaire content planned for October 2025 in December of 2025. Due to the lapse in federal appropriations from October 1 through November 12, 2025, the Census Bureau was unable to collect the October HTOPS survey. The difference between the October and December questionnaires is minimal, with the October questionnaire containing six additional questions on suicidal tendencies that were not included in the December questionnaire.

Replacing collection of the December questionnaire content with October questionnaire content in December 2025 will allow the Census Bureau to provide data on all originally planned content in 2025. Thank you for your consideration. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.