For each Michigan snowbird who is not counted as a state resident, Michigan will lose a per capita census-adjusted allocation of more than $1,000 a year for each of the next ten years, or more than $10,000 per person. This will reduce funding for federal programs that directly affect Michigan older adults and individuals with disabilities including services such as home delivered meals, health care, senior employment, transportation, legal assistance and elder abuse.

It is estimated that about 200,000 Michigan residents were counted as living elsewhere in the 2000 Census. Even though our state has experienced a mild decline in population growth since then, Michigan actually will show a substantial increase in population growth if all snowbirds are counted correctly in the 2010 Census.

In February and March, snowbirds will receive their 2010 U.S. Census forms at their temporary residences in the south, and they will be asked to complete and return the forms. To avoid being counted as residents of another state, snowbirds must enter zero on the census form as the number of people living there and then leave the rest of the form blank. It also is recommended that they write "Usual Residence Elsewhere" so that the Census Bureau will know the reason for entering a zero.

For more information, you may call the Office of Services to the Aging in Lansing at 517/373-8230 or visit the Web site at www.michigan.gov/miseniors.