The nationwide census is less than two months away, and representatives say there are still many myths that need to be debunked. 

In August, three federal judges blocked the decision to put a citizenship question on the census but the question left many people concerned about how much data the census collects. 

So, what is on the census, what's it used for and why are some people skeptical of it? Let's start at the beginning.

The Census helps to determine the amount of Federal funding that will flow to certain programs onwards to state," said Meeta Anand, Census 2020 Senior Fellow of New York Immigration Coalition. 

"It's [also] about representation in government," said Pharein Griffith, Outreach and Member Engagement, New York Counts 2020. 

Every ten years the census attempts to count every person in the United States., regardless of citizenship. But why is it important? 

"Section 8, SNAPP, TANF, Food Stamps, Women Infant and Children, TAP and Pell --These are the reasons people should be involved in the census and completing the Census," said Griffith. 

Census representatives tell us the census impacts funding for a variety of programs and it's fairly straightforward.

"People worry it's overly intrusive. It's important to know it's ten simple questions. It's things like your name, your age, your gender your marital status. Whether you rent or own...The Federal government by law cannot share individual data with any other entity so it's really that collecting of statistical data," said Anand. 

The census doesn't ask about social security number, your credit card number, your political affiliation.  So why are some people skeptical? 

"We were counted as three-fifths. Three-fifths was counted as one. So that they could offset the number in representation in Congress," said Griffith. 

But Blacks were not the only ones excluded. While they were counted as a fraction of a person, Native Americans weren't included at all. 

They say while the census used discriminatory practices in the past, now it's used to stop discrimination. 

"A lot of the times the way we determine about discrimination is by relying upon the data we found in the census so if our communities are undercounted, we're not having a true snapshot of how bad the discrimination might be" said Anand.  

They say there are many reasons it's important to be counted. 

"For the first time in history we can put our race as black and our ethnicity as Jamaican--How the ballots look, what the languages are for the ballets. All data's pulled through the census. It's an equalizer--so if you complete it, you're now counted your voice is heard. It's like with voting. It's the same premise," said Griffith 

So all of New York is counted in 2020. 

Representatives say there are three ways you can complete the 2020 census.

Some households may receive a paper copy. There's also a designated hotline, or you can complete the online form as a household.