OPLC REQUIREMENTS FOR 

THE CONSUMER 

EXPENDITURE SURVEYS 

Revised December 1, 2023

Parvati Krishnamurty
1

I. Purpose

This report identifies the necessary minimum set of data elements the Consumer 

Expenditure Surveys (CE) must collect to meet the needs of the Office of Prices and 

Living Conditions (OPLC) Division of Consumer Expenditure Surveys (DCES), the 

Consumer Prices and Price Indexes Division (CPI), and the Division of Price and Index 

Number Research (DPINR). The purposes of this report are to 1) provide a basis for 

ongoing survey redesign discussions and 2) serve as a living document that will be 

updated with any changes in the priorities of the program offices represented. 

This document discusses those data requirements that enable the CE to fulfill its mission 

but does not discuss survey design features necessary to meet those requirements. It 

addresses both expenditure and non-expenditure requirements. Section II provides 

some background on the objectives of the CE. Section III presents the set of expenditure 

categories that the CE survey must provide. Section IV details the non-expenditure data 

items the survey must also collect. These consist of demographic and socioeconomic 

characteristics variables. In Section V, there are recommendations concerning qualities 

or features of the data assigned to these categories, such as population coverage and 

periodicity.

While these requirements meet the basic mission of the CE, each division needs

additional features in terms of expenditure categories, non-expenditure data items, and 

other survey-related functionalities that would enhance the CE. These features are

presented in Appendix E of this report.

II. Background

The mission of the CE is to collect, produce and disseminate information that presents a 

statistical picture of consumer spending for use by government agencies and private 

data users. First and foremost, these data are used by the CPI to estimate weights for 

the consumer goods and services classification structure used in calculation of its 

indexes, commonly referred to as the ‘market basket’ of consumer purchases. More 

specifically, the CPI uses CE data to estimate annualized expenditures, for the total 
2

urban population and the urban wage-earner population groups, for the Consumer Price 

Index for Urban Consumers (CPI-U) and the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage 

Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). These expenditure weights were previously

updated biennially but are currently updated annually beginning with January 2023 

indexes. The CPI also uses CE data to estimate monthly expenditure weights for the 

urban population to construct the Chained CPI index series (C-CPI-U). Furthermore, the 

CPI uses annualized expenditure estimates from CE data to probabilistically select 

entry-level item categories for pricing in its Commodities & Services (C&S) Survey, and 

to make certain quote-level weight adjustments to the sample of unique items priced in 

the survey. CE data is also the primary source of the CPI establishment sampling frame.

For DCES itself, the objectives are threefold: 1) to disseminate data on consumer 

expenditures and demographic/socioeconomic characteristics in several formats, 2) to 

provide education and assistance in the use of the data; and 3) to conduct analytical 

studies. The CE publishes tabulations of all expenditures nationally and for selected 

subgroups, provides comprehensive annual public use microdata for the analysis of the 

expenditure patterns of individual consuming units in the U.S., and supports a variety of 

economic research, such as determining poverty thresholds and analyzing spending 

patterns by income level. As an internal user of CE data, DPINR staff use CE data in 

several different research projects. In cooperation with the Bureau of the Census, 

DPINR is at the forefront of using CE data to produce the Supplemental Poverty 

Measure (SPM thresholds, a supplement to official poverty thresholds). Additionally, the

PINR division, in coordination with the CE division, is working to produce a consumption 

measure with the CE as the base survey. The DPINR and DCES divisions are also 

working together to produce distributional National Accounts of Personal Consumption 

Expenditures (PCE) using the CE to allocate PCE across consumer units. For additional 

details on current research work see: CE Research: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 

(bls.gov). 

Other Federal agencies are also prominent users of CE data. The Internal Revenue 

Service employs CE data to derive its optional state and local sales tax table. The U.S. 

Department of Agriculture produces its annual report on expenditures on children by 

families, a resource used in establishing child support and foster care guidelines, from 
3

CE data. As a final example, the Department of Defense uses CE data to compute cost 

of living allowances for Armed Forces families.

The universe of CE data users extends to state governments, public policy think-tanks, 

academic institutions, and private companies. Topics such as the distributional effects of 

consumption-based taxes, analysis of income and consumption inequality, and poverty 

measurement are addressed employing CE data.

III. Expenditure Categories

A list of broadly defined expenditure item categories has been developed that represent 

the minimum set of expenditures the CE survey must produce. These categories satisfy 

CPI’s expenditure class (EC) level of detail, but do not meet the level of entry level items

(ELI) currently defined within CPI’s market basket structure. These categories will supply 

sufficient detail to support the production of publication tables and public use microdata 

by DCES. They also provide the detail necessary to support the research agenda of 

DPINR, particularly for the development of the SPM.

In determining what constitutes an expenditure, decisions have been made concerning 

when an expenditure has been considered to occur, how it is to be valued, how it is paid 

for, and for whom the expenditure has been made. Expenditures are defined as the 

acquisition costs, including sales taxes, as measured by actual financial obligation at the 

time of acquisition in dollar terms, for any type of payment method, of all goods and 

services that are acquired from outside the consumer unit. To obtain the actual financial 

obligation or out-of-pocket expense, third-party reimbursements paid at the time of 

acquisition or later should be accounted for in determining the amount of expenditure. 

Goods and services acquired for persons outside the consumer unit (gifts) are included. 

Those purchases or portions of purchases directly assignable to business purposes are 

excluded. Also excluded are periodic credit or installment payments on goods or 

services already acquired. Goods and services obtained through non-financial means, 

such as home production, barter, and in-kind receipts do not qualify as well.

In order to determine the requirements, CPI provided a spreadsheet that contained CPI 

EC, Item Strata, ELI, and Universal Classification Code (UCC) detail that form the basis 
4

for creating the CPI market basket. Appendix A presents the 126 expenditure categories

decided upon by DCES, CPI, and DPINR. Beside each category are listed the current 

expenditure items, designated by their UCC number, that comprise the item category. 

IV. Nonexpenditure items

While the primary goal of the CE survey is to collect accurate expenditure data on 

consumer purchases, there are nonexpenditure data items, such as demographic 

characteristics and socioeconomic variables, that are required to meet the needs of the 

DCES, CPI and DPINR divisions. These data items serve such functions as 

classification variables for the publication tables produced by DCES, as qualifying 

variables for eligibility of expenditures in producing market baskets for the CPI-U, CPIW, and CPI-E

1 populations, and as explanatory variables in economic studies within 

DPINR and the outside research community. 

Appendix B presents the nonexpenditure variables that must be collected in the CE. The 

first column shows the variable name while the second column shows the categories the 

variable should identify. While continuous variables are typically preferred, there are 

many numeric variables where less detailed categorical breakdowns are sufficient to 

meet the needs of the DCES, CPI, and DPINR divisions.

In addition, to provide insight into what variables were selected and how the breakdown 

categories were chosen, information has been provided on which division(s) required the 

variable, the general purpose for which it was needed, and the desired variable 

categories to fulfill that purpose. The CE Branch of the Statistical Methods Division

(SMD) was included as there were some variables that were required for weighting and 

nonresponse adjustment. The third and fourth columns of the table show the division 

and rationale.

Other useful demographic and socioeconomic variables may be collected as resources 

permit but should not be considered integral to the core scope of the CE. They will need 

to compete with other items for inclusion in the survey, based on available resources 

and respondent burden.

1 The CPI-E is a research Consumer Price Index for Americans 62 years of age and older,
5

V. Other required data features

Population. Coverage for the national, civilian, non-institutional population2is necessary

from the CE. In order to provide national coverage, the CE must measure spending in 

both urban and rural areas.

Reference unit. To achieve its goal of collecting expenditure data from the U.S. civilian 

non-institutional population, the survey must be able to assign expenditure data to a 

reference unit composed of an individual or group of persons that behave as an 

organized unit in making expenditure decisions. The CE has identified this entity as a 

“consumer unit” or “CU” and it has been the historical collection unit since the 1972-73 

survey.

The formal definition of a CU in the CE is: (1) all members of a particular household who 

are related by blood, marriage, adoption, or other legal arrangements; or (2) a person 

living alone or sharing a household with others or living as a roomer in a private home or 

lodging house or in permanent living quarters in a hotel or motel, but who is financially 

independent3; or (3) two or more persons living together who pool their income to make 

joint expenditure decisions. 

The consumer unit is very similar to, but may provide more accurate expenditure data 

than, a "household". The Census Bureau, the data collection agency for the CE, defines

a household as all people living in a housing unit with a shared entrance. A household 

can include persons paying jointly for housing space but who do not share other living 

expenses. In addition, if household members are independent agents with respect to 

their spending decisions, it is unlikely any particular household member will know the 

expenditures of all other members, so the aggregate totals for the household are not 

collectible. 

2The civilian noninstitutional population includes students living in college or university housing 

and excludes active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces and people confined to, or living in, 

institutions or facilities such as prisons, jails, and other correctional institutions and detention 

centers, or residential care facilities such as skilled nursing homes.

3 Financial independence is determined by spending behavior with regard to the three major 

expense categories: housing, food, and other living expenses. To be considered financially 

independent, the respondent must provide at least two of the three major expenditure categories, 

either entirely or in part.
6

While the CU is the current choice as the reference unit for the organization of CE data, 

this may not be the case in the future. As living arrangements among people evolve, it 

may be that individuals will form new organizational units that are theoretically more 

appropriate than the CU, as currently defined, for CE purposes. Such units would still be 

required to make joint spending decisions and exhibit financial interdependence among 

their members. These are areas for further comparative research.

Sample size. The sample size of the CE survey must be sufficient to allow the CPI to (1) 

produce reliable monthly expenditure estimates as needed for the C-CPI-U national 

index, and (2) replace its cost weights every year for its national and subnational CPI-U 

and CPI-W indexes. 

For the CE, the sample size must be large enough to provide enough usable interviews 

to produce reliable annual estimates at the level of expenditure detail shown in Appendix 

C, both nationally and for the calendar year tables currently produced. The sample size 

must also be sufficient to guarantee that the public use microdata meets the U.S. 

Census Disclosure Review Board’s confidentiality requirements so that respondents 

cannot be identified. 

Time period and periodicity. To support the CPI-U, annual expenditure estimates for 

calendar base periods are required. The C-CPI-U requires expenditure estimates for 

each basic index cell (item strata/index area combination) in each calendar month.

The CE data are currently published twice per year. The “Annual Release” is comprised 

of annual tables and public use microdata containing the previous calendar year’s 

estimates. The “Midyear Release” adds an additional two calendar quarters of spending 

information to the annual release. Beginning in 2022, these additional quarters are 

provided as public use microdata. Prior to 2022, these were presented as annual tables 

with the most recent four quarters of data. In summary, the CE must be able to produce

annual and monthly data to satisfy CE and CPI needs.

Panel component. The CE Interview Survey estimates and microdata currently include 

four quarters of data from CUs from interview waves 1 - 4. This panel component allows 

microdata users to track spending for a CU over the course of an entire year. The CE 
7

considers the ability to support micro-level analyses over a 12-month period to be a 

requirement. This can be accomplished by either of two base designs: 

1. A design similar to the current Interview Survey design which collects a

continuous 12 months of spending data.

2. A design based on collect spending data covering a minimum reference period of 

three months that are 12 months apart.

Here are other key features of the requirement for base design 1:

• The reference period for collecting spending data is flexible. The current design 

meets this option since it collects the continuous 12 months of spending data

through four interviews, each with a three-month reference period. Alternatively, 

a design employing three interviews with a four-month reference period over 12 

months would also meet the option.

• The supporting data (demographics, income, assets, and liabilities) must cover 

the same 12-month period as the expenditures. Data on income and assets and 

liabilities should be collected at the endpoints of the panel. The reference period 

for these items need not match the reference period for expenditures, as long as 

users will be able to calculate a 12-month estimate for income and the change in 

assets and liabilities that matches the 12-month time period for expenditures.

• Information on the roster of household members, such as which members are 

living in the household, must be updated each interview.

Here are other key features of the requirement for base design 2:

• The reference period for collecting spending and income data must be a 

minimum of three months. Thus, for example, a CU interviewed in January 2020

would provide at a minimum expenditure and income data for October –

December 2019. The CU would be interviewed again in January 2021 and 

provide at a minimum expenditure and income data for October – December 

2020. The reference period for expenditures and income do not need to be the 

same as long as users can estimate the 12-month change in both.
8

• Demographic data and the stock value for assets and liabilities must be collected 

at each interview.

• Information on the roster of household members, such as which members are 

living in the household, must be updated each interview.

Here are other features of the overall requirement:

• A synthetic panel does not meet the requirement since the survey will not collect 

sufficient information about each CU to permit a valid matching of expenditures 

between CUs.

• While the requirement is to collect data from the same CU over time, the design 

will not be based on “following” CUs that move from one location to another.

• It is not required that the 12 months over which spending, or income are 

measured match the calendar year. Thus, depending on the design chosen, a 

CU may be interviewed only once within a calendar year.

The CPI does not require the CE data to come from a panel of respondents.

Full profile of spending in microdata. The CE must incorporate the capability of 

producing microdata files where a full profile of expenditures is available for each 

sampled unit for either design 1 or 2 of the panel component. To the extent that the

survey employs a variety of modes of primary data collection from sample units, or 

incorporates data from secondary sources (administrative data, data from other specialpurpose expenditure surveys), a methodology to integrate the data from these multiple 

sources will also be required.

Collection of outlet information. The transition to using CE data as a source for outlet 

information previously collected in the Telephone Point of Purchase Survey (TPOPS) in 

2019 has resulted in additional requirements for the CE. The frame requirement is to 

collect the name of at least one outlet associated with each expenditure category 

reported. For implementation into the CE, matrix sampling is used since the CPI rotation 

requirement only requires outlet information for each category once over a four-year 

period in each primary sampling unit (PSU). Outlet questions need to be administered to 

a sub-sample of respondents, to obtain sufficient outlet frame sizes. CE collects outlet 
9

name, mode of purchase (online, over the telephone, in person), and city and state of 

the outlet (location is only asked for in-person purchases). In addition, extended recall 

questions have been added which are asked when no purchase is reported, with the 

objective of resolving differences in total number of outlets collected due to differences in 

recall periods between the CE and TPOPS. Details of outlet collection are provided in 

Appendix F.
10

Appendix A. Expenditure Item Categories

UCC updates in Appendix A reflect changes made to the original 2013 OPLC 

requirements document through 2023.

Item Category Component UCCs

1. Men's apparel 360110 Men’s Suits

360120 Men’s Sportcoats/Tailored Jackets

360210 Men’s Coats and Jackets

360319 Men’s Underwear, Hosiery, Nightwear, 

and Swimwear

360330 Men’s Accessories

360350 Men’s Swimsuits/Warm-Up/Ski Suits

360340 Men’s Sweaters and Vests

360410 Men’s Shirts

360420 Men’s Sweaters/Shirts/Vests

360513 Men’s Pants and Shorts

360901 Men’s Uniforms

360902 Men’s Costumes

2. Women’s apparel 380110 Women’s Coats and Jackets

380210 Women’s Dresses

380312 Women’s Vests and Sweaters

380319 Women’s Tops

380339 Women’s Skirts, Pants and Shorts

380510 Women’s Suits

380429 Women’s Undergarments, Nightwear, 

Shapewear and Swimwear

380901 Women’s Accessories

380340 Women’s Swimsuits/Warm-Up/Ski Suit

380909 Women’s Uniforms and Costumes

3. Children's 

apparel

 720210 Children’s clothing

370110 Boys Coats and Jackets

370120 Boys Sweaters

370125 Boys Sweaters/Shirts/Vests

370130 Boys Shirts

370219 Boys Underwear, Hosiery, Nightwear, and 

Swimwear

370220 Boys Accessories

370319 Boys Suits, Sportcoats, Pants and Shorts

370902 Boys Costumes

370903 Boys Uniforms
11

4 This category should be comprised of gifts of items in the men’s apparel, women’s apparel, children’s 

apparel, footwear, infants’ and toddlers’ apparel, and jewelry and watches categories. As such it 

represents a subset of the expenditures collected in its component item categories. Those categories will 

include all expenditures, both gift and non-gift.

Appendix A. Expenditure Item Categories

UCC updates in Appendix A reflect changes made to the original 2013 OPLC 

requirements document through 2023.

3. Children’s 

Apparel cont.

390110 Girls Coats and Jackets

390120 Girls Dresses, Suits

390210 Girls Shirts/Blouses/Sweaters

390223 Girls Skirts, Pants, And Shorts

390319 Girls Underwear, Nightwear, Hosiery, and

Swimwear

390322 Girls Accessories

390901 Girls Uniforms

390902 Girls Costumes

4. Footwear 400110 Men’s Footwear

400210 Boys Footwear

400220 Girls Footwear

400310 Women’s Footwear

5. Infants' and 

toddlers' apparel

410110 Infant Coat/Jacket/Snowsuit/Swimsuit

410119 Infant and Toddler Outer/Play/Dress /Sleepwear and 

Accessories

410130 Infant Undergarments

6. Jewelry and 

watches

430110 Watches

430120 Jewelry

7. Gifts of clothing4 720310 Gifts of clothing

8. Educational 

books and supplies

660000 School Suppl., Etc. - Unspec.

660001 Educational books/Supl/Oth exp

9. College tuition 670110 College Tuition

 671000 Prepaid Tuition

10. Other school 

tuition, tutoring, 

and test 

preparation

670210 Elem./H.S. Tuition

670410 Voc/ Tech School Tuition

670903 Test Prep/Tutoring Services
12

Appendix A. Expenditure Item Categories

UCC updates in Appendix A reflect changes made to the original 2013 OPLC 

requirements document through 2023.

11. Childcare 670320 Babysitting/Childcare/Daycare/Presch

12. Postage and 

delivery services

340110 Postage

340120 Delivery Services

13. Telephone 

services

270102 Cellular Phone Service

270106 Residential Telephone Incl VOIP

14. Internet 

services

690114 Computer Information Services

690116 Internet Services Away from Home

15. Information and 

information 

processing other 

than internet 

services

310400 Apps/Games/Ringtones for Devices

320232 Telephones and Accessories

600903 Global Positioning System Device

690111 Compter/Compter Hrdwar N-Bus Use

690113 Repair-Cmptr,Cmptr Sys N-B

690117 Portable Memory

690118 Digital Book Readers

690119 Computer Software

690120 Computer Accessories

690230 Typwrits/Oth Off Mach Non-Bus Use

690310 Installation for Computers

16. Cereals and 

cereal products 

010119 Flour and Prepared Flour Mixes

010210 Cereal, Breakfast and Granola Bars

010310 Rice

010320 Pasta Cornmeal Oth Cereal Prods

17. Bakery products 020219 Bread

020310 Fresh Biscuits, Rolls, Muffins

020410 Cakes and Cupcakes

020510 Cookies

020610 Crackers

020620 Bread and Cracker Products

020710 Doughnuts, Sweetrolls, Coffeecake

020810 Frozen & Refrig. Bakery Prod.

020820 Fresh Pies, Tarts, Turnovers
13

Appendix A. Expenditure Item Categories

UCC updates in Appendix A reflect changes made to the original 2013 OPLC 

requirements document through 2023.

18. Beef and veal 030110 Ground Beef Exclude Canned

030219 Other Beef Roasts

030519 Uncooked Beef Steaks

030810 Other Beef (Exclude Canned)

19. Pork 040119 Bacon, Breakfast Sausage and Related Products

040210 Pork Chops

040319 Ham

040410 Other Pork

20. Other meats 050110 Frankfurters

050319 Lunch Meats

050419 Lamb, Organ Meat and Game

21. Poultry 060119 Chicken

060310 Other Poultry

22. Fish and 

seafood

070119 Processed Fish and Shellfish

070230 Fresh Fish & Shellfish

23. Eggs 080110 Eggs

24. Dairy and 

related products

090110 Fresh Milk All Types

100210 Cheese

100410 Ice Cream and Related Products

100519 Other Dairy and Related Products

160310 Non-Dairy Cream Substitutes

25. Fresh fruits 110110 Apples

110210 Bananas

110319 Citrus Fruits

110410 Other Fresh Fruits

26. Fresh 

vegetables 

120110 Potatoes

120210 Lettuce

120310 Tomatoes

120410 Other Fresh Vegetables
14

Appendix A. Expenditure Item Categories

UCC updates in Appendix A reflect changes made to the original 2013 OPLC 

requirements document through 2023.

27. Processed fruits 

and vegetables

130129 Frozen Fruits and Vegetables

140219 Canned Fruits and Vegetables

140349 Dried Fruits and Vegetables

28. Juices and 

nonalcoholic drinks 

130119 Frozen Non-carbonated Juices and Drinks

170110 Cola Drinks

170210 Other Carbonated Drinks

170539 Non-frozen Non-carbonated Juices and Drinks

29. Beverage 

materials including 

coffee

170319 Coffee

170520 Tea

30. Sugar and 

sweets

150110 Candy and Chewing Gum

150219 Sugar and Artificial Sweeteners

150310 Other Sweets

31. Fats and oils 100119 Butter and Margarine

160211 Fats & Oils

160212 Salad Dressings

32. Other foods 180110 Soup

180210 Frozen Meals

180220 Froz/Prep. Food Oth Than Meals

180310 Potato Chips And Other Snacks

180320 Nuts

180410 Salt/Other Seasonings & Spices

180420 Olives, Pickles, Relishes

180510 Sauces And Gravies

180520 Other Condiments

180611 Prepared Salads

180612 Prepared Desserts

180620 Baby Food

180710 Misc. Prepared Foods

550219 Vitamins and Supplements

33. Food away from 

home at fast food

 190400 Food and nonalcoholic beverages at fast food
15

5 This category should be comprised of gifts of items in the food at home and food away from home 

categories. Once again, this represents a subset of expenditures in the component categories; all 

expenditures will be collected in those categories.

Appendix A. Expenditure Item Categories

UCC updates in Appendix A reflect changes made to the original 2013 OPLC 

requirements document through 2023.

34. Food away from 

home at full-service 

restaurants

190500 Food and nonalcoholic beverages at fullservice restaurants

35A. Food away 

from home at 

vending machines

 190600 Food and nonalcoholic beverages at vending machines and 

mobile vendors

35B. Food away 

from home at 

employer

 190700 Food and nonalcoholic beverages at employer

36 Gifts of food5 800600 Gifts of food and beverages

37. School meals 190905 School Meals and Board

38. Catered affairs 190902 Food and Bev For Catered Affairs

680310 Live Entertain. For Cat Affairs

680320 Rental of Party Supp Cat Affairs

39. Food on out-oftown trips

 190903 Food Out of Town Trips

40. Food prepared 

by CU on out-oftown trips

 190904 Food Prepared by Consumer Unit On Out-

 Of-Town Trips

41. Meals as pay 800700 Meals as Pay

42. Beer, wine and 

other alcoholic 

beverages at home

200119 Beer, Ale and other Malt Beverages at Home

200219 Distilled Spirits at Home

200310 Wine at Home
16

Appendix A. Expenditure Item Categories

UCC updates in Appendix A reflect changes made to the original 2013 OPLC 

requirements document through 2023.

43. Beer, wine and 

other alcoholic 

beverages away 

from home 

790420 Alcoholic beverages at restaurants, taverns, and 

bars

44. Tobacco and 

smoking products

630110 Cigarettes

630210 Other Tobacco Products

630220 Smoking Accessories

45. Personal care 

products

640119 Products for the Hair

640130 Wigs and Hairpieces

640219 Nonelectric Dental and Shaving Products

640310 Cosmetics, Perfume, Bath Prep

640410 Deod, Fem Hyg, Misc. Pers. Care

640420 Electric Personal Care Appl.

46. Personal care 

services

650310 Pers. Care Serv.

650900 Repair Of Pers. Care App.

47. Legal fees and 

financial expenses

620112 Credit Card Memberships

680110 Legal Fees

680210 Safe Deposit Box Rental

680220 Check Accts / Oth Bank Serv Chgs

680902 Accounting Fees

48. Funeral 

expenses

680140 Funeral Expense

680901 Cemetery Lots, Vaults, Maint Fees

49. Other apparel 

services

340520 Hshld Lndry,Drycln Not Coin-Op

340530 Coin-Op Hshld Lndry, Dry Cln

440110 Shoe Repair, Oth Shoe Service

440120 Coin-Op Apparel Ldry/Dry Clng

440130 Alter/Repair Of Apparel, Access

440140 Clothing Rental

440150 Watch And Jewelry Repair

440210 Apparel Lndry/Dry Clng N/Coin-Op

440900 Clothing Storage Outside the Home
17

6 The CE Division will research remapping the Diary item codes that constitute "Misc. pers. services" when 

source selection for publication tables is reviewed.

7 The Requirements Team notes that this category is a collection of disparate items that should be 

examined for reassignment.

8 To satisfy CE and CPI needs, the distinctions between owned/rented/owned vacation are required. The 

tenure status of the sample unit and the inventory of owned property can be used to distinguish renters 

from owners and owned sample units from owned vacation homes. These distinctions will apply to all 

categories marked with an asterisk, such as utilities, that are composed of UCC’s distinguishing owners 

and renters.

Appendix A. Expenditure Item Categories

UCC updates in Appendix A reflect changes made to the original 2013 OPLC 

requirements document through 2023.

50. Miscellaneous 

personal services6

 680903 Misc. Pers. Services

51. Miscellaneous 

personal goods7

320130 Infants Equipment

330410 Stationery, Giftwrap, Etc.

430130 Luggage

52. Rent of primary 

residence

 210110 Rent Of Dwelling

53. Rent as pay 800710 Rent As Pay

54. Lodging away 

from home

210210 Lodging Away From Home

210310 Housing For Someone At School

55. Owners' 

equivalent rent of 

primary residence

 910104 Rental Equivalence Of Owned Home

56. Owners' 

equivalent rent of 

vacation/second 

residence

910105 Rent Equiv Vac Home Not Avail Rnt

910106 Rent Equiv Vac Home Avail For Rnt

910107 Rental Equivalence For Timeshares

57. Household 

insurance8

220121 Homeowners Insurance Ownd

220122 Homeowners Insurance Ownv

350110 Renters Insurance
18

Appendix A. Expenditure Item Categories

UCC updates in Appendix A reflect changes made to the original 2013 OPLC 

requirements document through 2023.

58. Fuel oil and 

other fuels

250111 Fuel Oil Rntr

250112 Fuel Oil Ownd

250113 Fuel Oil Ownv

250114 Fuel Oil Rntv

250211 Gas, Bottled Or Tank Rntr

250212 Gas, Bottled Or Tank Ownd

250213 Gas,Bottled Or Tank - Ownv & Rvs

250214 Gas, Bottled Or Tank Rntv

250911 Other Fuels Rntr

250912 Other Fuels Ownd

250913 Other Fuels Ownv

250914 Other Fuels Rntv

59. Electricity 260111 Electricity Rntr

260112 Electricity Ownd

260113 Electricity Ownv

260114 Electricity Rntv

60. Natural gas 260211 Utility--Natural Gas Rntr

260212 Utility--Natural Gas Ownd

260213 Utility--Natural Gas Ownv

260214 Utility--Natural Gas Rntv

61. Water, sewer 

and trash collection 

services

270211 Water And Sewerage Maint Rntr

270212 Water And Sewerage Maint Ownd

270213 Water And Sewerage Maint Ownv

270214 Water And Sewerage Maint Rntv

270411 Trash/Garbage Collect Rntr

270412 Trash/Garbage Collect Ownd

270413 Trash/Garbage Collect Ownv

270414 Trash/Garbage Collect Rntv

270901 Septic Tank Cleaning Rntr

270902 Septic Tank Cleaning Ownd

270903 Septic Tank Cleaning Ownv

270904 Septic Tank Cleaning Rented Vac

62. Floor coverings 320624 Flooring Inst/Rep/Repl Rntr

320625 Flooring Inst/Rep/Repl Ownd
19

Appendix A. Expenditure Item Categories

UCC updates in Appendix A reflect changes made to the original 2013 OPLC 

requirements document through 2023.

62. Floor coverings

cont.

320626 Flooring Inst/Rep/Repl Ownv

63. Household 

textiles

280110 Bathroom Linens

280120 Bedroom Linens

280140 Kitchen/Dining Room/Othr Linens

280210 Curtains And Drapes

280220 Slipcovers/Decorative Pillows

320111 Floor Coverings (Non-Perm.)

320120 Window Coverings

64. Maintenance 

and repair supplies

240111 Paint/Wallpaper And Supp Rntr

240112 Paint/Wallpaper And Supp Ownd

240113 Paint/Wallpaper And Supp Ownv

240121 Equip For Paint/Wpaper Rntr

240122 Equip For Paint/Wpaper Ownd

240123 Equip For Paint/Wpaper Ownv

240211 Mat For Panl/Roof/Siding,Etc Rntr

240212 Mat For Panel/Siding, Etc Ownd

240213 Mat For Roof & Gutters, Ownd

240214 Mat For Panl/Roof/Siding, Etc, Ownv

240221 Mat For Patio,Masonry,Etc Rntr

240222 Mat For Patio,Masonry,Etc Ownd

240223 Mat For Patio,Masonry,Etc Ownv

240311 Plumbing Supp/Equip Rntr

240312 Plumbing Supp/Equip Ownd

240313 Plumbing Supp/Equip Ownv

240321 Elec Supp, Heat/Cool Equip Rntr

240322 Elec Supp,Heat/Cool Equip Ownd

240323 Elec Supp,Heat/Cool Equip Ownv

320611 Constrct Mat-Rntr/Udr Cn/Sec Hm

320612 Construction Mat Ownd

320613 Construction Mat Ownv

320631 Lndscping Mat-Rntr/Udr Cn/Sc Hm

320632 Landscaping Materials Ownd

320633 Landscaping Materials Ownv
20

9 The CPI and CE Divisions need to determine whether purchases and rentals of furniture should be 

combined or maintained as separate categories.

10 The CPI and DCES divisions need to determine whether purchases and rentals of appliances should be 

combined or maintained as separate categories.

Appendix A. Expenditure Item Categories

UCC updates in Appendix A reflect changes made to the original 2013 OPLC 

requirements document through 2023.

65. Unpriced 

maintenance and 

repair services

230112 Painting/Papering Labor/Mat Ownd

230113 Plmb/Wtr Heat Labor/Mat Ownd

230114 Heat/Ac/Elec Labor/Mat Ownd

230115 Roofing/Gutters Labor/Mat Ownd

230117 Repl Dishwash/Disp/Hood Rntr

230118 Repl Dishwash/Disp/Hood Ownd

230141 Repair-Displ/Dwshr/Rang Hd Rntr

230142 Repair-Displ/Dwshr/Rang Hd Ownd

230150 Rep/Maint Labor/Mat Rntr

230151 Oth Rep/Maint Labor/Mat Ownd

230152 Oth Rep/Maint Labor/Mat Ownv

230901 Property Management Ownd

230902 Prop Management Ownv

340620 Repair Of Household Appliances

340630 Reupholstery Of Furniture

340913 Repair Of Misc Hshld Eq/Fshgs

990900 Rent/Inst Dwash/Hoods/Disposal

66. Furniture9 290110 Mattress And Springs

290120 Other Bedroom Furniture

290210 Sofas

290310 Living Room Chairs

290320 Living Room Tables

290410 Kitchen/Dining Room Furniture

290420 Infants Furniture

290430 Outdoor Furniture

290440 Wall Units, Cabinets, Occas Furn

320901 Office Furniture Home Use

340904 Rental Of Furniture

67. Appliances10 300111 Purch/Inst Refrig/Freezer Rntr

300112 Purch/Inst Refrig/Freezer Ownd

300216 Purch/Inst Clths Washr/Dryr Rntr
21

Appendix A. Expenditure Item Categories

UCC updates in Appendix A reflect changes made to the original 2013 OPLC 

requirements document through 2023.

67. Appliances

cont.

300217 Purch/Inst Clths Washr/Dryr Ownd

300311 Stoves, Ovens Rntr

300312 Stoves, Ovens Ownd

300321 Microwave Ovens Rntr

300322 Microwave Ovens Ownd

300331 Purch/Inst Port Dishwasher Rntr

300332 Purch/Inst Port Dishwasher Ownd

300411 Purch/Inst Window A/C Rntr

300412 Purch/Inst Window A/C Ownd

300900 Misc Household Appliances

320511 Electric Floor Cleaning Equip

320521 Small Electric Kitchen Appliances

320522 Portable Heating/Cooling Equip

340907 Rental Of Household Equipment

690244 Oth Hh Appl Rntr

690245 Oth Hh Appl Ownd

68. Other 

household 

equipment and 

furnishings

320221 Lamps/Light Fixtures/Ceiling Fans

320233 Clocks And Other Hh Decor Items

320330 Flatware

320345 Dishes/Cups/Glasses/Serving Pieces

320370 Nonelectric Cookware

320380 Tableware/Non-Elec. Kitware

320903 Indoor Plants, Fresh Flowers

69. Tools, 

hardware, outdoor 

equipment and 

supplies

320150 Barbeque Grills And Outdoor Equip

320410 Lawn And Garden Equipment

320420 Power Tools

320430 Other Hardware

320902 Hand Tools

320904 Closet And Storage Items

320905 Misc. Household Equip/Parts

330511 Mat For Termte/Pst Cntrl Maintce

330610 Lawn And Garden Supplies

70. Housekeeping 

supplies 

320140 Laundry And Cleaning Equip.

330119 Laundry and Cleaning Products

330310 Paper Towels/Napkins/Toilet Tissue

330510 Misc Household Products
22

Appendix A. Expenditure Item Categories

UCC updates in Appendix A reflect changes made to the original 2013 OPLC 

requirements document through 2023.

71. Household 

operations

340310 Domestic Service

340410 Gardening/Lawn Care Service

340420 Water Softening Service

340510 Moving, Storage, Freight

340901 Rental/Repair-Tools, Lawn/Garden

340903 Misc. Home Services

340908 Rntl Off Equip Non-Bus Use

340911 Mgmt/Spec Ser/Security Ownd

340912 Mgmt/Spec Ser/Security Ownv

340914 Serv For Termt/Pst Cntrl

340915 Home Security Sys. Serv. Fee

72. Professional 

medical services 

560110 Physicians Services

560210 Dental Services

560310 Eyecare Services

560400 Serv By Pros Oth Than Physicians

560410 Non physician services inside home

560420 Non physician services outside home

73. Adult care 340906 Care Of Invalids, Elderly, Etc

340910 Adult Day Care Centers

74. Hospital and 

related services

560330 Lab Tests, X-Rays

570111 Hospital Rooms & Services

570220 Care In Convl Or Nursing Home

570230 Other Medical Care Service

570240 Medcl Serv Incl In Hm Own Exp

75. Commercial 

Health insurance

580115 Fee for Serv Hlth Plan (No BCBS)

580116 Fee for Serv Hlth Plan (BCBS)

580311 Hlth Maint. Org (No BCBS

580312 Hlth Maint. Org (BCBS)

580411 Dental Care Insurance (No BCBS)

580412 Dental Care Insurance (BCBS)

580431 Vision care insurance (not BCBS) 

580432 Vision care insurance (BCBS) 

580441 Other single service insurance (not BCBS)

580442 Other Single Service Insurance (BCBS) 

580903 Coml Medicare Supplement (No BCBS)

580904 Coml Medicare Supplement (BCBS)
23

Appendix A. Expenditure Item Categories

UCC updates in Appendix A reflect changes made to the original 2013 OPLC 

requirements document through 2023.

75. Commercial 

Health insurance

cont.

580905 Other Health Insurance (No BCBS)

580906 Other Health Insurance (BCBS)

76. Medicare 

payments

 580901 Medicare Payments

 580908 Medicaid premiums

 580909 Tricare/military premiums

 580910 CHIP premiums

77. Long term care 

insurance

 580401 Long term care insurance (not BCBS) 

 580402 Long term care insurance (BCBS) 

78. Medicare presc.

drug prem.

 580907 Medicare Pres. Drug Premiums

 580421 Prescription drug insurance (not BCBS)

 580422 Prescription Drug Insurance (BCBS)

79. Medicinal drugs 540000 Prescription Drugs

550210 Over-The-Counter Drugs

630900 Marijuana

80. Medical 

equipment and 

supplies

550110 Eyeglasses And Contact Lenses

550310 Topicals And Dressings

550320 Medical Equip. For General Use

550330 Supportive/Conval Med. Equip.

550340 Hearing Aids

570901 Rental Of Medical/Surgical Equip

570902 Repair Of Medical Equipment

570903 Rental Of Supportive/Conval Equip

81. Video and audio 270310 Cable/Satellite/Com Antenna Serv

270311 Satellite Radio Service

310140 Televisions

310210 Vcrs/Video Disc Players

310220 Video Cassettes/Tapes/Discs

310231 Video Game Software

310232 Video Game Hardware/Accessories

310241 Streaming Video Files

310242 Downloading Video Files

310243 Rental, streaming, downloading video

310312 Phonographs
24

11 The Requirements Team recommends that research be done to determine whether “Online 

entertainment and games” should be assigned here or to “Recreation services”.

Appendix A. Expenditure Item Categories

UCC updates in Appendix A reflect changes made to the original 2013 OPLC 

requirements document through 2023.

81. Video and audio

cont.

310314 Digital Audio Players

310315 Digital Media Players & Recorders

310316 Radios/Speakers/Sound Comp Systms

310331 Misc Sound Equipment

310332 Sound Equip Accessories

310334 Satellite Dishes

310335 Misc Video Equipment

310340 Records,Cds,Audio Tapes

310350 Streaming/Downloading Audio

310900 Access. For Electronic Equip.

340610 Repair Of Tv/Radio/Sound Equip

340902 Rental Of Televisions

340905 Rental Of Vcr/Radio/Sound Equip

620912 Rntl Video Cass/Tapes/Discs/Films

620917 Rental Video Hardwr/Accessor

620918 Rental Video Software

620930 Online Entertainment and Games11

690320 Installation For Tvs

690330 Installation Satellite Tv Equip

690340 Installation Of Sound Systems

690350 Install Of Other Video/Sound Syst

82. Pets, pet 

products and

services

610310 Pet Food

610320 Pet-Purchase/Supplies/Medicine

620410 Pet Services

620420 Vet Services

83. Sporting goods 600210 General Sport/Exercise Equip

600310 Bicycles

600315 Scooters, and other single rider transport

600410 Camping Equipment

600420 Hunting, Fishing Equipment

600430 Winter Sport Equipment

600901 Water Sport Equipment

600902 Other Sport Equipment

610120 Playground Equipment
25

Appendix A. Expenditure Item Categories

UCC updates in Appendix A reflect changes made to the original 2013 OPLC 

requirements document through 2023.

83. Sporting goods

cont.

620908 Rent/Repair Of Misc Sports Equipment

84. Boats, RV's, and 

other recreational 

vehicles 

450900 Aircraft

460903 Used Aircraft

520901 Docking/Landing Fees

520904 Rental Non-Camper Trailer

520907 Boat/Trailer Rent Out Of Town

600110 Outboard Motor

600121 Boat W/O Motor/Boat Trailers

600122 Trail/Oth Attachable Campers

600132 Purchase Of Boat With Motor

600141 Purchase Of Motor Home

600142 Purchase Of Other Vehicle

620906 Rental Of Boat

620909 Rental Camper On Trips

620919 Rental Other Vehicles On Trips

620921 Rental Of Motor Home

620922 Rental Of Other RVs

85. Amount 

recreational vehicle 

sold or reimbursed

860301 Amt Motor Home Sold/Reimb

860302 Amt Oth Vehicle Sold/Reimb

860600 Amt Boat With Motor Sold/Reim

860400 Amt Trailers/Oth Attach Campers Sold/Reimb

860800 Amt Plane Sold/Reimb

86. Photography 610210 Film

610220 Other Photographic Supplies

610230 Photographic Equipment

620320 Photographer Fees

620330 Film Processing

620905 Rent/Rep Photo Equip

87. Other 

recreational goods

610110 Toys Games Arts Crafts Tricycles

610130 Music Instruments/Accessories

610140 Stamp And Coin Collecting

610901 Fireworks

610902 Souvenirs

610903 Visual Goods
26

Appendix A. Expenditure Item Categories

UCC updates in Appendix A reflect changes made to the original 2013 OPLC 

requirements document through 2023.

87. Other 

recreational goods

cont.

620904 Rent/Rep Music Instruments

88. Sewing 320512 Sewing Machines

420115 Sewing/Ndlwrk/Quilt Matrls/Items

89. Recreation 

services

610900 Recreation Expenses Out-Of-Town

620111 Social/Recre/Civic Club Membrshp

620115 Shopping Club Memb Fees

620121 Fees For Participant Sports

620122 Partic. Sports Out-Of-Town Trip

620310 Fees For Recreational Lessons

620710 Camp Fees

620903 Oth Ent Serv, Out-Of-Town Trip

680904 Dating Services

680905 Vacation Clubs

90. Movie, theater, 

sporting event, and 

other admissions

620212 Movie, Oth Adm. Out-Of-Town

620213 Tkts to Play/Theatr/ Opera/Concert

620215 Tickets to movies

620216 Tickets to parks or museums

620221 Admission To Sporting Events

620222 Adm To Sprts Events Out-Of-Tow

620913 Pinball/Electronic Video Games

620510 Admissions Misc

620610 Misc. Entertainment Services

91. Recreational 

reading materials

590220 Books Thru Book Clubs

590230 Books Not Thru Book Clubs

590210 Magazines

590110 Newspapers

590900 Newsletters

92. New cars and 

trucks

450110 New Cars

450210 New Trucks
27

Appendix A. Expenditure Item Categories

UCC updates in Appendix A reflect changes made to the original 2013 OPLC 

requirements document through 2023.

93. Used cars and 

trucks

460110 Used Cars

460901 Used Trucks

94. Motorcycles 450220 New Motorcycles

460902 Used Motorcycles

95. Leased and 

rented vehicles

450353 Cash Downpayment for Car/Truck Lease

450354 Termination Fee for Car/Truck Lease

520516 Auto/Truck Rental

520517 Auto/Truck Rental, Out-Of-Town Trips

520902 Motorcycle Rental

520903 Aircraft Rental

520905 Motorcycle Rental Out-Of-Town

520906 Aircraft Rental/Out-Of-Town Trips

96. Trade-in

allowance, new 

cars and trucks

450116 Trade-In Allowance/New Cars

450216 Trade-In Allow/New Trucks

97. Trade-in 

allowance, new 

motorcycles

 450226 Trade-In Allow/New Motorcycles

98. Trade-in 

allowance, leased 

vehicles

450352 Trade-In Allow for Car/Truck Lease

99. Amount 

car/truck sold or 

reimbursed

860100 Amt Auto Sold Or Reimbursed

860200 Amt Truck Sold Or Reimbursed

100. Amount 

motorcycle sold or 

reimbursed

 860500 Amt Motorcycle Sold/Reim

101. Motor fuel 470111 Gasoline

470112 Diesel Fuel

470113 Gasoline On Out Of Town Trips

470114 Alternate fuels
28

Appendix A. Expenditure Item Categories

UCC updates in Appendix A reflect changes made to the original 2013 OPLC 

requirements document through 2023.

101. Motor fuel

cont.

470311 Electric Vehicle Charging

102. Motor vehicle 

parts and

equipment

470212 Motor Oil On Out Of Town Trips

480110 Tires Purchased/Replaced/Install

480100 Vehicle parts, accessories, fluids excluding tires

 

103. Motor vehicle 

maintenance and 

repair

490100 Vehicle maint/repair excluding tire purchase

490900 Auto repair service policy

520410 Vehicle Inspection

104. Motor vehicle 

insurance

 500110 Vehicle Insurance

105. Motor vehicle 

fees

510115 Vehicle registration including personal property tax

520310 Drivers License

520531 Prkng Fee In Hme City Excl Rsdnc

520532 Parking Fees, Out-Of-Town Trip

520541 Tolls Or Electronic Toll Passes

520542 Tolls On Out-Of-Town Trips

520550 Towing Charges

620114 Auto Service Clubs/GPS Services*

106. Personal 

Property Taxes

 

107. Airline fares 530110 Airline Fares

108. Other public 

transportation

530210 Intercity Bus Fares

530311 Intracity Mass Transit Fares

530312 Local Trans. Out of Town Trips

530411 Taxi Fares on Trips

530412 Taxi Fares and Limousine Service

530510 Intercity Train Fares

530901 Ship Fares

530902 School Bus

600311 Bike Sharing, E-scooters
29

12 This category should be comprised of all other gifts, excluding clothing and food categories.

Appendix A. Expenditure Item Categories

UCC updates in Appendix A reflect changes made to the original 2013 OPLC 

requirements document through 2023.

109. Mortgage 

interest and 

charges

220311 Mortgage Interest Ownd

220312 Mortgage Interest Ownv

220313 Interest, Lmp Sum Hm Eq Ln, Ownd

220314 Interest, Lmp Sum Hm Eq Ln, Ownv

880110 Interest, Hm Eq Ln (Crdt), Ownd

880210 Interst,Hm Eq Ln(Crdt), Oth Prop

880310 Interest, Hm Eq Ln (Crdt), Ownv

110. Property taxes 220211 Property Taxes Ownd

220212 Property Taxes Ownv

111. Other housing 

expenses

210901 Ground Rent Ownd

210902 Ground Rent Ownv

220901 Parking Ownd

220902 Parking Ownv

112. Miscellaneous 620925 Miscellaneous Fees

620926 Lotteries And Parimutuel Losses 

790600 Maint/Rep/Util Oth Prop

113. Occupational 

expenses

 900002 Occupational Expenses 

114. All other gifts12 

115. Miscellaneous 

maintenance and 

repair supplies, 

renters

790690 Constr Mat Job Not Strtd Rntr

990920 Mat For Add/Remod/Etc Rntr

990930 Mat Remod Etc Maint/Rep Ownd

990940 Mat Remod Etc Maint/Rep Ownv

116. Life and other 

personal insurance

002120 Other Non-Health Insurance

700110 Life/Endow/Annuit/Oth Pers Ins

117. Vehicle finance 

charges

510110 Automobile Finance Charges

510901 Truck Finance Charges

510902 Motorcycle & Plane Finance Chg

850300 Int Paid On Oth Veh
30

13 Needed for tax simulation program

Appendix A. Expenditure Item Categories

UCC updates in Appendix A reflect changes made to the original 2013 OPLC 

requirements document through 2023.

118. Finance 

charges excl. 

mortgage & vehicle

 710110 Finance Charges Excl Mort/Veh

119. Deductions for 

Social Security

 800940 Deductions For Social Security

120. Payroll 

deductions to 

retirement plans

800910 Deductions For Government Retire

800920 Deductions For Railroad Retire

800931 Deductions For Private Pensions

121. Non-payroll 

deposit to 

retirement plans

 800932 Non-Payroll Deposit To Retire Plans

122. Alimony13 800111 Alimony Expenditures

123. Child Support 800121 Child Support Expenditures

124. Support for 

college students

 800804 Support For College Students

125. Cash contrib. 

to charities, educ. & 

other organizations

800821 Cash Contrib. To Charities, Oth. Orgs.

800831 Cash Contrib. To Churches, Relig. Orgs.

800841 Cash Contrib. To Educational Orgs.

126. Other cash and 

non-cash gifts

800811 Gifts To Non-Cu - Stock, Bonds, Etc.

800851 Cash Contrib. To Political Orgs.

800861 Other Cash Gifts
31

Appendix B. Required Nonexpenditure Item Categories

Variable Categories Division Primary use

1. Relationship to 

reference person

Spouse, child, other related 

person, unmarried partner/ 

member

Spouse CPI CPI elderly index

Spouse, own child, other DCES Publication tables

Spouse, child, other related 

person, unmarried 

partner/member

DCES

DPINR

Tax simulation model

SPM thresholds 

2. Age of member Continuous

Age of reference person: 62 or 

over (yes/no)

CPI CPI elderly index

Age of reference person: 

Continuous

DCES Publication tables

Age of spouse: 62 or over 

(yes/no)

CPI CPI elderly index

Age of spouse: Continuous DPINR SPM thresholds and 

consumption measure: 

classification of spouses as 

adults

Age of member: 14-24, 25-34, 35-

44, 45-54, 55-64, 65-74, 75 and 

over

SMD Calibration weighting

Age of member: Under 18 

(yes/no); 65 and over (yes/no)

DCES Publication tables

Age of member: Under 24 

(yes/no); under 18 (yes/no)

DCES Tax simulation program

Age of member: women age over 

15, 15-45

DPINR SPM thresholds and 

consumption measure: WIC 

benefits imputation

Age of member: children age less 

than 1, 1-4

DPINR SPM thresholds and 

consumption measure: WIC 

benefits imputation

Age of member: children age 5-

17, 5-18

DPINR SPM thresholds and 

consumption measure: 

school lunch imputation

Age of own child: Under 6 

(yes/no), 6 to 17 (yes/no), 18 and 

over (yes/no)

DCES Publication tables – used in 

conjunction with 

relationship variable that 

identifies own child
32

Appendix B. Required Nonexpenditure Item Categories

3.Occupation of 

member

Administrator, manager, teacher 

& professionals; technicians, 

sales – business goods and 

services & Armed Forces; sales –

retail & administrative support 

(incl. clerical); private household 

service; protective & other 

services14; machine operator, 

assembler, inspector, 

transportation operator, 

handler, helper, laborer; 

farming, forestry, fishing, & 

groundskeeping; mechanics, 

repairers, precision production, 

construction, & mining; retired; 

all other (unemployed, working 

without pay, ill, disabled, unable 

to work, taking care of 

home/family, going to school, 

doing something else)

Combined with Work 

status of member will 

satisfy OPLC occupation 

requirements and SPM 

thresholds and 

consumption measure for 

imputation of in-kind 

benefits 

4. Work status of 

member

Salaried – private industry, 

salaried – government, selfemployed, working without pay

Combined with Occupation 

of member will satisfy 

OPLC occupation 

requirements

Occupation of member: Selfemployed workers; the following 

set of occupations: sales-retail; 

administrative support (incl. 

clerical); protective service; other 

service; machine operator, 

assembler, inspector; handler, 

helper, laborer; transportation 

operator; forestry, fishing, 

groundskeeping; mechanics, 

repairers, precision production; 

construction, mining;

CPI CPI-W – To qualify, 50% or 

more of total income must 

be from a specific set of 

occupations defined as 

clerical or wage earning.

Not eligible for any CPI 

population if 50% or more 

of total income is from 

Armed Forces

14 Examples of “other service” occupations are: child care worker, cook, food counter/fountain worker, 

food preparer, hairstylist, janitor, maid/houseman, orderly, waiter/waitress.
33

Appendix B. Required Nonexpenditure Item Categories

Armed Forces

Occupation of member: Selfemployed workers; managers & 

professionals; technical sales & 

clerical workers; service workers;

construction workers and 

mechanics; operators, fabricators 

and laborers; retired; all other

DCES

DCES

Publication tables

Publication tables

Type of employment: Private 

enterprise wage earner, 

government employee, selfemployed in own enterprise, 

working without pay

DCES

DPINR

Economic analysis

For SPM thresholds and 

consumption measure: 

imputations for in-kind 

benefits 

5. CBSA status Urban (yes/no) Not collected in instrument

Urban (yes/no) CPI CPI-U

6. MSA status Central city (inside MSA), other 

inside MSA, outside MSA

Not collected in 

instrument; Combined with 

Urban/rural will satisfy 

OPLC type of area 

requirements

7. Urban/rural Urban, rural Not collected in 

instrument; Combined with 

MSA status will satisfy 

OPLC type of area 

requirements

Type of area: Central city, other 

urban, rural

DCES Publication tables and 

SPM thresholds and 

consumption measure

Type of area: Urban (yes/no) SMD Calibration weighting – use 

in conjunction with region

8. Type of building Single family/townhouse/ 

duplex, mobile home, other 

(apartment, college dormitory, 

etc.)
34

Appendix B. Required Nonexpenditure Item Categories

Single family/townhouse/duplex, 

other (apartment, mobile home, 

etc.)

CPI Rental equivalence 

adjustments

Mobile home (yes/no) DCES Special table for BEA – used 

in conjunction with farm 

variable

Single family/townhouse or 

duplex/mobile home/

apartment/college or university 

dormitory 

DPINR SPM thresholds and 

consumption measure: 

imputed rents

9. Appliances 

included in home 

(renters)

Stove/range/oven, refrigerator/ 

freezer, dishwasher, washer, 

dryer

Stove/range/oven, refrigerator/ 

freezer, dishwasher, washer, 

dryer

CPI

DPINR

Rental equivalence 

adjustment of owner’s 

appliances – appliances in 

home when renter moved 

in

SPM thresholds and 

consumption measure: for 

owners

10. Number of 

bedrooms

Continuous

0-1, 2-3, 4 or more

0, 1, 2-3, 4 or more

CPI

DCES

DPINR

Rental equivalence 

adjustments

SPM thresholds and 

consumption measure: in 

imputation of market rents

11. Farm Based on $1,000 in farm sales15 –

Yes, no

Based on $1,000 in farm sales –

Yes, no

CPI CPI-U

12. CU size Continuous

15 The Requirements Team agrees that this definition should be researched since it seems to be out of 

date. 
35

Appendix B. Required Nonexpenditure Item Categories

1 person, 2 persons, 3-4 persons, 

5+ persons

SMD Calibration weighting and 

nonresponse adjustment

1 person, 2 persons, 3 persons, 4 

persons, 5+ persons

DCES Publication tables

Continuous DCES

DPINR

Tax simulation program

SPM thresholds and 

consumption measure

13. Housing tenure Owner with mortgage, owner 

without mortgage, renter

Owner, renter SMD Calibration weighting and 

nonresponse adjustment

Owner with mortgage, owner 

without mortgage, renter

DCES

DPINR

Publication tables

Economic research

SPM thresholds and 

consumption measure

Owner, renter CPI Weights for selected items 

are adjusted by tenure 

status

14. Race of member Black, Asian, white and all other Mandated by OMB

Race of reference person: Black, 

Asian, white and all other

DCES Publication tables

Race of reference person: Black, 

nonblack

SMD Calibration weighting and 

nonresponse adjustment

Race of member: Black, nonblack SMD Calibration weighting

15. Region New Census subregions Not collected in instrument

Northeast, Midwest, South, West SMD

DCES

DPINR

Calibration weighting and 

nonresponse adjustment

Publication tables

SPM thresholds and 

consumption measure

16. Weeks worked Continuous Combined with Age of 

member and Work status 

of member will satisfy 

OPLC earner requirements

Earner: 1) Member is 14 or over DCES Publication tables
36

Appendix B. Required Nonexpenditure Item Categories

2) Number of weeks worked > 0

3) Worked for pay (yes/no)

0-52 DCES Economic analysis

Full-time worker: Worked 40 or 

more hours per week, worked 

less than 40 hours per week

DCES

DPINR

Economic analysis

SPM thresholds and 

consumption

17. Reason for not 

working

Retired, taking care of 

home/family, going to school, ill/ 

disabled/unable to work, unable 

to find work, doing something 

else

Retired, taking care of 

home/family, going to school, ill/ 

disabled/unable to work, unable 

to find work, doing something 

else

DCES

DPINR

Economic analysis

Identification of postsecondary students (who 

are their own CUs) and

consumption measure

18. Sex of reference 

person

Male, female

Male, female DCES

DPINR

Publication tables

SPM thresholds and 

consumption measure

19. Origin of 

reference person

Hispanic, non-Hispanic Mandated by OMB

Hispanic, non-Hispanic DCES

DPINR

Publication tables

SPM thresholds and 

consumption measure

20. Education of 

member

Elementary, less than high school 

graduate, high school graduate, 

some college, no degree, 

associate degree, bachelor’s 

degree, master’s/professional/ 

doctorate, never attended/other
37

Appendix B. Required Nonexpenditure Item Categories

Stub percent distribution (based 

on grade completed): Elementary 

(1-8), high school (9-12), college 

(13 and over), never 

attended/other (0)

DCES Publication tables

Column header definition: Less 

than high school graduate, high 

school graduate, high school 

graduate with some college, 

associate degree, bachelor’s 

degree, master’s/professional/ 

doctoral degree

DCES Publication tables

Elementary, less than high school 

graduate, high school graduate, 

some college, no degree, 

associate degree, bachelor’s 

degree, master’s/professional/ 

doctorate, never attended/other

DPINR SPM thresholds and 

consumption measure

21. Population size Based on Census designation of 

Urbanized Area: Outside urban 

area, less than 100,000, 100,000 

to 249,999, 250,000 to 999,999, 

1,000,000 to 2,499,999, 

2,500,000 to 4,999,999, 

5,000,000 & over

Not collected in instrument

Outside urban area, less than 

100,000, 100,000 to 249,999, 

250,000 to 999,999, 1,000,000 to 

2,499,999, 2,500,000 to 

4,999,999, 5,000,000 & over

DCES Publication tables

22. State FIPS state code Not collected in instrument

FIPS state code DCES Tax simulation program

22. State-cont. FIPS state code DPINR For SPM thresholds and 

consumption measure 

imputations

23. County FIPS county code Not collected in instrument

FIPS county code DPINR SPM thresholds and 

consumption measure
38

Appendix B. Required Nonexpenditure Item Categories

24. Zip Code 5-digit zip code Not collected in instrument

5-digit zip code DCES

SMD

DPINR

Nonresponse weighting 

adjustment – obtained via 

agreement with Census for 

info

25. Marital status of 

member

Married, not married

Married, not married DCES

DPINR

Publication tables

Tax simulation program

SPM thresholds and 

consumption measure

26. Public housing Yes, no

Yes, no DPINR SPM thresholds and 

consumption measure

27. Rent subsidized Yes, no

Yes, no DPINR SPM thresholds and 

consumption measure

28. Property type Primary home, secondary home 

available for rent, secondary 

home unavailable for rent, 

timeshare, other

Primary home, secondary home 

available for rent, secondary 

home unavailable for rent, 

timeshare, other

CPI

DPINR

Rental equivalence 

adjustment

SPM thresholds and 

consumption measure

Vacation/second home: Yes, no DCES

DPINR

Special table for BEA

Consumption measure and 

SPM thresholds

Timeshare: Yes, no DCES

DPINR

Special table for BEA 

Consumption measure and 

SPM thresholds
39

Appendix B. Required Nonexpenditure Item Categories

29. Percentage of 

property owned

Continuous

Continuous CPI Rental equivalence 

adjustment

SPM thresholds and 

Consumption measure

30. Number of weeks 

per year owner can 

occupy timeshare

Continuous

Continuous CPI Rental equivalence 

adjustment SPM thresholds 

and Consumption measure

31. Percent of time 

property rented/ 

available for rent to 

outside members

Continuous

Continuous CPI

DPINR

Rental equivalence 

adjustment

SPM thresholds and 

Consumption measure

32. (Paradata 

variables - TBD)

Dependent on survey method

33. Wages and 

salaries – member 

level 

Continuous

Wages and salaries – CU level: 

Continuous

DCES CE publication tables

Tax simulation model

Wages and salaries – member 

level: Continuous

CPI CPI-W 

Wages and salaries-member level DPINR Assignment of different 

types of health insurance

34. Self-employment 

income – member 

level

Continuous
40

Appendix B. Required Nonexpenditure Item Categories

Self-employment income – CU 

level: Continuous

DCES CE publication tables

Tax simulation model16

35. Social Security/ 

Railroad Retirement 

income – member 

level

Continuous

Social Security/ Railroad 

Retirement income – CU level: 

Continuous

DCES CE publication tables

Tax simulation model15

36. Supplemental 

Security income –

member level 

Supplemental Security income –

CU level: Continuous

DCES

DCES

CE publication tables

Tax simulation model15

37. Interest/dividend 

income – member 

level

Continuous

Interest/dividend income – CU 

level: Continuous

DCES CE publication tables

Tax simulation model15

38. Net rental 

income or loss – CU 

level

Continuous

Net rental income or loss – tax 

unit: Continuous

DCES CE publication tables

Tax simulation model15

39. Royalty income 

and income from 

estates and trusts–

CU level

Continuous

Royalty income and income from 

estates and trusts – tax unit: 

Continuous

DCES CE publication tables

Tax simulation model15

40. Retirement, 

survivor, or disability 

Continuous

16 The tax simulation model uses earned income which consists of wages and salaries, and selfemployment income from nonfarm and farm businesses. Ideally income from each listed category would 

be attributable to specific members to allow assignment to each tax unit.
41

Appendix B. Required Nonexpenditure Item Categories

pension income – CU 

level

Retirement, survivor, or disability 

pension income – tax unit: 

Continuous

DCES CE publication tables

Tax simulation model15

41. Welfare 

payments or cash 

assistance from state 

or local welfare 

office - CU level

Continuous

Welfare payments or cash 

assistance from state or local 

welfare office – tax unit: 

Continuous

DCES CE publication tables

Tax simulation model15

42. Cash value of 

Food Stamps or 

Electronic Benefit 

Transfers (EBT) 

received – CU level

Continuous

Cash value of Food Stamps or 

Electronic Benefit Transfers (EBT) 

received – tax unit: Continuous

DCES

DCES

DPINR

CE publication tables

Tax simulation model15

SPM thresholds and 

consumption measure

43. Regular income 

from other sources, 

such as veterans’ 

(VA) payments, 

unemployment 

compensation, child 

support, or alimony 

– CU level

Continuous

Regular income from other 

sources, such as veterans’ (VA) 

payments, unemployment 

compensation, child support, or 

alimony – tax unit: Continuous

DCES CE publication tables

Tax simulation model15
42

44. Lump-sum 

payments from 

insurance, estates, 

trusts, royalties, 

child support, 

alimony, prize or 

games of chance, or 

from persons outside 

the CU – CU level

Continuous

Lump-sum payments from 

insurance, estates, trusts, 

royalties, child support, alimony, 

prize or games of chance, or from 

persons outside the CU – tax unit: 

Continuous

DCES CE publication tables

Tax simulation model15

Alimony and child support 

payments 

DPINR SPM thresholds and 

consumption measure

45. Other money 

income, including 

from cash 

scholarships and 

fellowships, stipends 

not based on 

working and the care 

of foster children –

CU level

Continuous

Other money income, including 

from cash scholarships and 

fellowships, stipends not based 

on working and the care of foster 

children – tax unit: Continuous

DCES CE publication tables

Tax simulation model15

Income from pre- and postsecondary education scholarshipsDPINR Consumption measure

46. Assets and 

liabilities - total

Continuous

Continuous DCES CE publication tables

47. Assets and 

liabilities – net 

change from 

previous year

Continuous
43

Continuous DCES CE publication tables

48. Inventory of 

household durables

Cooking range, stove or oven; 

refrigerator; home freezer; builtin dishwasher; portable 

dishwasher; clothes washer; 

clothes dryer

Household durables listed above 

to be collected in the Interview 

Survey questionnaire

DCES

DPINR

Economic analyses

SPM thresholds and 

consumption measure

49. Inventory of 

vehicles

All owned/leased vehicles

All owned/leased vehicles DCES

DPINR

CE publication tables

Consumption measure
44

Appendix C. Expenditure Detail Required for 

Publications Tables

Expenditure category

Average annual expenditures

Food

Food at home

Cereals, grains, and bakery products

Beef, pork & other meats

Poultry, fish and seafood, and eggs

Dairy products

Fresh fruits and vegetables

Processed fruits and vegetables

Prepared foods, chips, nuts and other snacks, condiments &

 seasonings

Sugar and other sweets

Fats and oils

Nonalcoholic beverages

Food away from home

Food and nonalcoholic beverages at fast food

Food and nonalcoholic beverages at full service

 restaurants

Food and nonalcoholic beverages at vending

 machines and mobile vendors

Food and nonalcoholic beverages at employer

Alcoholic beverages

At home

Away from home

Housing

Shelter

Owned dwellings

Mortgage interest and charges

Property taxes

Homeowners insurance
45

Appendix C. Expenditure Detail Required for 

Publications Tables

Expenditure category

Maintenance and repair

Other owner's expenses

Rented dwellings

Rent

Other renter's expenses

Owned vacation homes and other properties

Lodging on out-of-town trips

Utilities, fuels, and public services

Natural gas

Electricity

Fuel oil and other fuels

Telephone services

Water and other public services

Household operations

Personal services

Child care

Adult care

Other household operations

Computer information services

Other household expenses

Housekeeping supplies

Household furnishings and equipment

Household textiles

Furniture, floor & window coverings

Appliances

Miscellaneous household equipment

Housewares & household decorative items

Information processing and communication equipment

Other household equipment

Apparel and services
46

Appendix C. Expenditure Detail Required for 

Publications Tables

Expenditure category

Men’s apparel

Women’s apparel

Apparel for children, 2 to 15

Footwear

Children under 2

Other apparel products and services

Transportation

Vehicle purchases (net outlay)

Cars and trucks, new

Cars and trucks, used

Motorcycles (alternatively incl. with rec. vehicles)

Gasoline and motor oil

Other vehicle expenses

Vehicle finance charges

Maintenance and repairs

Vehicle insurance

Vehicle rental, leases, licenses, and other charges 

Leased and rented vehicles

Miscellaneous vehicle expenses

Public transportation

Airline fares

Other public transportation expenses

Healthcare

Health insurance

Medicare payments

Medicare prescription drug, Medicare supplements, long term

 care, and other health insurance

Medical services

Professional medical services

Hospital and related services
47

Appendix C. Expenditure Detail Required for 

Publications Tables

Expenditure category

Drugs

Medical supplies

Entertainment

Movie, theater, sporting event and other admissions

Audio and visual equipment and services

Pets, toys, hobbies, and playground equipment

Pets

Toys, games, hobbies, incl. photography

Other entertainment supplies, equipment, and services 

Boats, RVs, and other recreational vehicles

Sports, recreation, and exercise equipment

Recreation services 

Personal care products and services

Personal care products

Personal care services

Reading

Education

College tuition

Other school tuition, tutoring and test preparation

School books, supplies, and other expenses

Tobacco products and smoking supplies

Miscellaneous

Finance charges excluding mortgage and vehicle

Legal fees and financial expenses

Funeral expenses

Other miscellaneous expenses

Cash contributions

Alimony, child support and support for college students

Cash contributions to churches, charities, educational and

 other organizations 
48

Appendix C. Expenditure Detail Required for 

Publications Tables

Expenditure category

Other cash and non-cash gifts

Personal insurance and pensions

Life and other personal insurance

Pensions and Social Security

Deductions for Social Security

Payroll deductions to retirement plans

Non-payroll deposit to retirement plans

Addenda 

Gifts of goods and services

Estimated monthly rental value of owned home

Estimated monthly rental value of vacation home

Sale/reimbursement of cars and trucks

Sale/reimbursement of other vehicles

Personal property taxes
49

Appendix D. Summary of OPLC requirements

Category Requirement

1. Expenditures A minimum set of 126 expenditure item categories has been 

assembled that will satisfy the current needs of CE, CPI, and 

PINR. Any new survey design should collect data that can 

produce estimates for these categories.

2. Non-expenditure items A minimum set of 49 demographic and socioeconomic 

variables that function as classification variables for 

publication tables, qualifying variables for eligibility in CPI 

indexes, explanatory variables common in economic analysis, 

and processing variables for weighting and nonresponse 

adjustment. They include geographic detail, income, assets

and liabilities, and inventories of vehicles and household 

durables.

3. Population Sufficient coverage data for the national, civilian, noninstitutional population including data for urban and rural 

areas is required. No change to current requirements

4. Collection unit An individual or group of persons that behave as an organized 

unit in making expenditure decisions. It is embodied by the 

current survey entity, “consumer unit” or “CU”.

5. Sample size The sample size should be sufficient: 1) to produce reliable 

monthly expenditure estimates as needed for the C-CPI-U, 2) 

to allow the CPI to replace its cost weights every year for 

national and subnational indexes, 3) to allow the CE to 

produce reliable annual estimates for the required level of 

expenditure detail both nationally and for calendar year tables 

currently produced, and 4) to allow the CE to produce 

microdata that meets Census’s confidentiality requirements.

6. Time period and periodicity The production of annual and monthly data is necessary to 

satisfy CE and CPI needs.

7. Panel component The ability to measure the change in spending over a 12-

month period for a CU is required. If monthly data are not 

collected, the 12-month change must be based on estimates 

over a minimum 3-month reference period that are one year 

apart. Supporting data (demographics, income, assets/ 

liabilities) must cover same 12-month period as expenditures. 

Income and assets/liabilities should be collected at endpoints 

of survey (12-month period for spending and supporting data 

need not match calendar year). Information on CU members 

should be updated at each interview. For SPM thresholds and 

consumption, need data for every quarter (or monthly 

reference period)
50

Category Requirement

8. Full profile of spending in 

microdata

Capability of producing microdata files where a full profile of 

expenditures is available for each sampled unit for a full 12 

months
51

Appendix E. Enhancements for the CE Survey

This report describes the minimum set of requirements that the CE survey should 

incorporate to meet the needs of the DCES, CPI and DPINR divisions (Appendix A and 

B). Were resources available, there are several additional features that could be added 

to the survey that would enhance its utility in meeting the mission of the survey. The 

following is a brief description of some of these potential enhancements. 

Additional variables for production of the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM)

thresholds and consumption measure:

There are a number of variables in the current CE design that are used in the production 

of the SPM thresholds and consumption measure, some of which are carried over into 

the requirements for the redesigned CE survey. However, there are other variables not 

currently collected that would enhance the production of these. They have not been 

made part of the requirements, due to the uncertainty of future funding for the SPM and 

consumption measure.

Following is an exhaustive list of additional variables: 

• Total value of SNAP benefits, 

• SNAP benefits used to purchase food (yes/no)

• Value of SNAP benefits actually used; number of children in school lunch/

breakfast/ milk program 

• School lunch/breakfast/milk purchased at full price, reduced price or free

• How often a “hot” or provided school lunch/breakfast/milk is eaten

• Who receives WIC benefits, how often are benefits received 

• Value of the regular WIC benefit, received via electronic benefit transfer (EBT)

• If infant formula used to feed baby/babies

• For CU’s receiving rent subsidies or living in housing for which CUs are not 

paying the full market value of rents: 

o public housing, 

o voucher housing, 

o rent-controlled units, and 

o those living rent-free 
52

• Rent for similar rental units for which market rent is paid 

• Data on CUs receiving owner subsidies, for example, the CU owner purchased 

the housing unit at lower price due to participation in government housing 

purchase program (yes/no), price paid for subsidized owned unit, price of nonsubsidized owned unit

• Information on participation in Energy Assistance Program (EAP) (yes/no) 

• How often CU participated in EAP

• Amount of subsidy and if CU’s energy bill is less or if the CU received a cash 

transfer or in-kind energy assistance (e.g., energy efficient windows or weather 

stripping on windows) 

• Information on participation in any other assistance program (particularly, food, 

clothing, shelter, energy utilities, telephone, internet) (yes/no), how often did CU 

participate; value of assistance; non-work-related travel expenses; value of 

home-produced food, clothing, shelter, energy utilities, telephone, and internet. 

This assistance could be public (e.g., local, state, or federal government) or 

private (e.g., community food bank, employer assistance).

Ideally, expenditures would be collected for each quarter. Longitudinal weights would 

also be needed to correct for attrition for SPM thresholds, consumption measurement, 

and for the production of the PCE distributional accounts using CE to assign PCE to 

CUs
53

Appendix F. Outlets data collection

CE data is also the primary source of the CPI establishment sampling frame. CPI market 

basket items sourced from CE are grouped into Point-of-Purchase Category Groups 

(POPS Groups). Every calendar quarter a PSU is assigned a new POPS Group, taking 4 

years to rotate through the CPI market basket. With few exceptions, this means that CE 

respondents are only asked to report outlets when they report having made an 

expenditure for an item in the POPS Group assigned to their PSU. To reduce the 

additional burden placed on CE Interview Survey respondents due to adding outlet 

questions, only the outlet city and outlet state are collected from respondents who report 

making an in-person purchase. For each outlet name and location, the CPI program 

matches the name and location to those establishments in the Quarterly Census of 

Employment and Wages (QCEW) data and selects the establishment that best 

represents the reported outlet.

The former Telephone Point-of-Purchase Survey (TPOPS) and the CE Interview Survey 

ask respondents to recall expenses over different time periods. The recall period over 

which a respondent is asked to report expenditures in CE is three months and in the 

former TPOPS it varied from one week to five years, depending on how frequently items 

were purchased. The variable recall in TPOPS was intended to optimize the number of 

outlets reported for purchased items, while balancing CPI’s needs and respondent 

burden. To resolve differences in the total number of outlets collected (outlet yield) due 

to differences in recall periods for item categories, a new section of questions was added 

to the CE Interview Survey. With some exceptions, item categories collected in the CE 

Interview Survey have outlet questions in the extended recall questionnaire section of 

the CE Interview Survey. Item categories were assigned a recall period in the extended 

recall section that was equivalent to what was used in TPOPS, unless the recall period 

in TPOPS was longer than the standard three-month recall period for CE. Those items 

were assigned a six-month recall period in the extended recall section.