With Census Day 2010 less than four months away, the Ohio Department of Aging is reaching out to Ohioans who live in warmer climates during the winter months, informally known as "snowbirds," to make sure they know how to correctly fill out their 2010 Census form.

"Many federal programs that provide services to Ohio's seniors, including our home delivered meals, long-term care ombudsman program and senior employment program, use census data to determine how much funding Ohio will receive," said Barbara E. Riley, director of the department. "It's vital that we have an accurate count of our residents to ensure we can continue to meet the needs of our state's two million seniors."

The 2010 Census will take place on April 1, 2010, with questionnaires arriving mid-March. Forms are sent to every residence, meaning if you have two residences, such as one here and one in Florida, you will receive forms at both addresses. Snowbirds should list their Ohio residence as their permanent household if they spend the majority of the year here.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, to be counted once, in the right place and at the right time, a snowbird should fill out both of the forms they receive:

• On the form that you receive at your seasonal residence (meaning you spend less than the majority of your year here), the only questions that should be answered are question one and question 10. For question one, enter a "zero." For question 10, select "yes, at seasonal or second residence."
• On the form that you receive at your permanent household (where you spend the majority of your year), you should fill out the entire survey even if you are still at your seasonal residence on April 1. For example, if you live in Ohio eight months a year and another state for four months, your Ohio residence is your permanent household.

The department also encourages Ohioans to share these tips with friends or family members who have already left for their seasonal residences. The data collected during the 2010 Census will be used to distribute more than $400 billion dollars to states and local communities and also will determine Ohio's representation in the U.S. House of Representatives over the next decade.

The United States Post Office will not forward census questionnaires. In May and June, U.S. Census Bureau employees will visit residences that do not return a form. To avoid a knock on your door, complete your form and mail it back. For more information about the 2010 Census, visit www.2010census.gov.