Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009

Michigan needs snowbirds in the 2010 census.

Agencies serving older adults are concerned that many of Michigan’s estimated 130,000 snowbirds may get missed in the upcoming 2010 census, costing the state millions in federal dollars that are allocated based on census numbers.

The problem lies in the timing of the census.

The 2010 census forms will be mailed to every residence in March.

Residents will be instructed to complete the form and return it by April 1.

However, many Michigan snowbirds may complete and return their census form at their southern residence and will not be counted as Michigan residents.

If retirees reside in Michigan more than six months out of the year, they should be counted as a Michigan resident, so Michigan receives federal benefits for them.
Each person counted in Michigan brings more than $1,000 to Michigan each year in federal funding.

The 2010 census count determines funding to state and local governments, money for roads, schools, businesses and services for the elderly.

To be sure snowbirds who live in Michigan six months or more are properly counted, this is what you need to do:

1. When you receive a census questionnaire at your winter address, do not fill it out if you live there for less than six months out of the year.

2. If you return to Michigan before April 15, fill out the census questionnaire that will be delivered to your Michigan address.

3. After April 15, or if you do not find a questionnaire when you return, wait until the census sends a census taker to your door between May and July to get a form completed.
“Just missing one person in the census means a loss of at least $10,000 in funds to Michigan over the course of a decade,” Lt. Gov. John Cherry says. “We can’t afford to not be counted.”

Michigan has more snowbirds than many other states, with an average of 2.1 percent of Michigan’s residents identified as part-year residents.

Most of Michigan’s part-year residents have their permanent homes in Michigan and spend the smaller part of the year in another state, which means they need to be counted in Michigan.

Michigan needs all snowbirds who live here most of the time to be counted here, to help our state, our cities and our neighbors receive a fair share of federal resources.