NEWS AND VIEWS: Seniors and the 2000 Census (02/27/00)

NEWS AND VIEWS

Seniors and the 2000 Census

by Herbert W. Stupp

Not only is the year 2000 the beginning of a new millennium, it is also the year the United States counts each and every resident. This is more than just an exercise in arithmetic. The census count determines the number of New York City's congressional representatives and how much state and federal money we receive for local programs.

In fact, the census is so important to New York City's economic well-being, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani has established the New York City Office of Census 2000 to work with the Census Bureau and to help educate every New Yorker about the importance of responding on Census Day, April 1.

In New York City, Census 2000 is an important opportunity for older residents to show there is strength in numbers. When seniors return their census questionnaires, they help their communities obtain federal funding for meals, home care and other services that assist older people.

Census 2000 aims to count every person - citizen or immigrant, legal or undocumented - in every house, in every building. This includes all boarders and renters living under all types of housing arrangements, legal or not legal. The City of New York cannot access any of this information. So, please, encourage all your friends and neighbors to answer the census.

Be assured that answering the census is safe. All census information is kept confidential for 72 years. It's the law! This means that answers cannot be shared with anyone or any organization - including the IRS, FBI, Public Assistance, Immigration or the City of New York.

Answering the census is also easy. In late March, the Bureau of the Census will mail a census form to every householder in the five boroughs. Most will receive a questionnaire that takes about 15 minutes to complete and a few will get a longer form that takes about 45 minutes to answer. After you have filled out all the answers, simply mail it on April 1. Even the postage is paid!

If you are not comfortable with English, the Census Bureau can supply information and forms in 59 additional languages via phone or website. For further information about Census 2000, contact the New York City Regional Census Center at (212) 620-7702 or visit the Census Bureau's website at http://www.census.gov/.

PS: To learn all the latest news about benefits for older New Yorkers, don't forget to visit the website of the Department for the Aging at http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/aging/.

Herbert W. Stupp is commissioner of New York City's Department for the Aging.

| Home Page |