News at 5 O'Clock, March 16, 2010

You've probably heard about the push for 2010 census. 10 questions. 10 minutes.

"Our mission with the Census Bureau is to count everyone, once and in the right place," says Partnership Specialist Angela Pride.

But if you're unemployed, the Census could be the way to get a job, even if it's temporary.

"We are trying to test about 800 more people for the Census jobs," said Earl Sasser with the Census Bureau. "We will be hiring 750 to 1,000 more jobs at the end of April."

Don't get scared off by the word test though. Sasser says it's very easy and it measures basic skills. But unlike most other tests you took in school -- there's actually a financial payoff here.

"It's good pay, flexible hours," he adds. "$12.75 an hour and 50 cents a mile."

In South Carolina, the Census is hiring if you live in Aiken, Edgefield, Saluda, Newberry, and Lexington Counties. To work in those areas, you have to live there.

Said Sasser: "They'll be going door to door in the houses where people did not return their forms."

And you won't lose unemployment benefits either. Though you can't get money when you have the job, the time you have to get those benefits won't decrease.

To apply for Census jobs, call 1-866-861-2010.

You can also volunteer for Aiken and Edgefield County's March to the Mailbox. It's happening on April 10th. You'll be able to go with friends from your area to visit others who haven't yet filled out the Census.

To volunteer, call Angela Pride at 803-546-2059.