Why Bay Area Seniors Should Take the Census
In the East Bay, we say, "Strength in numbers!"
The census determines local economic and political power for cities, counties and villages in the East Bay.
The census results can change boundaries of voting districts. Census results also increase or decrease the representation your neighborhood has in the government.
Completing the census impacts your local community, roads and schools. Census results guide officials on where to spend $1,500,000,000,000 -- that is 1.5 trillion dollars -- and how to spend it. Money allocated based on census goes to:
- Libraries
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Fire Departments
- Public Services
- Federal Transit
- Plan New Homes
- Businesses
- Improve Neighborhoods
- Rural Water and Waste Disposal Systems
Other programs receive money based on census results. These are important to older adults and seniors:
- Medi-Cal
- Medicaid
- Medicare Part B
- State Children’s Health Insurance
- Section 8 housing
- Housing for Seniors
- Nursing Programs
The East Bay needs our seniors to be counted in the Census!
Learn more about how the census impacts local communities here:
https://2020census.gov/en/community-impact.html
Every 10 years, the United States counts the number of people who live here.
This is not a citizenship test. Census workers do not ask about immigration status. People without immigration documents can be part of the Census. This is safe to do.
As we are now midway through 2020, it is important that you are counted soon. The time to complete the census will end in the near future.
3 in 10 Have Not Completed the Census
30% of households Alameda and Contra Costa counties have not completed the census. [As of June 29, 2020.]
Imagine if we received 30% less funding for senior centers, health care and libraries?
Please ask your friends to complete the census, it is safe and private.
Census Workers are Knocking on Doors, and it is Safe for Seniors to Answer
If you have not yet completed the census form, a Census worker may visit you in the next few months. Census work restarted in the San Francisco Bay Area the week of June 8th, 2020. Census workers will try to visit every person who has not yet completed the Census form online or by mail. These workers deliver questionnaires and check physical addresses.
How to know the person at your door is a real census worker
Census employees wear visible identification badges. These badges show their photo, the mark of the US Department of Commerce and an end date.
Census workers may also carry items and equipment with the official US Census logo.
When the Census workers comes to your house, please open the door and speak with them. The worker will stand at least 6 feet from you, and wear a face mask and gloves.
All Answers are 100% Confidential
Questions in the census are about the demographics of all persons living in the home. These include:
- How many people live in the house, apartment or mobile home?
- Is the home owned, rented, or lived in without payment?
- Who lives in the house?
- How are you related?
- What is your age?
- What is your gender?
- Date of Birth
- Race
- Your Phone Number
Questions that are NOT in the Census
There are no questions about citizenship, income or employment.
Warning -- If anyone asks a question like below, or asks for money, it is fraud.
- The Census workers will never ask for your Social Security number or Medicare number.
- They will not ask for money, donations, tips, bank or credit card account numbers.
- There are no political questions
- There is no charge to complete the census.
East Bay Seniors, Be Part of the Census, Wherever You Live
Do you live in senior housing? If "yes," you are an independent household. You have the option to complete the census online, by phone or by mail.
Do you live in a skilled nursing, hospice or palliative care facility? If "yes," the administrator will include you in their Census response. If you are unsure, ask the person you pay your rent to.
Are you experiencing homelessness? If "yes," a social services worker will be counting you. There will be a 3-day Census count for people living in tents, shelters, and encampments.
The census takes less than 10 minutes of your time and will have a huge impact on your community for the next 10 years.
Visit www.my2020census.gov right now and check it off your to do list. If you need help completing the census, ask someone you trust to assist you or when a Census employee visits you.
Take the Census in One of 15 Languages
If you or someone you know need help or would like to complete the census in one of 15 other languages, visit the Census website here to complete the census in a different, preferred language. https://2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond/responding-by-phone.html
You'll find phone number that will connect you directly to a speaker in that language from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern time Monday through Friday. All of the phone numbers are toll free to call. You can also use a TDD.
Thank you for participating in the census and taking the few minutes to make a big difference.
Nate Miley Asks for Our Help
Nate Miley is a county supervisor in Alameda county. He is a strong advocate for seniors.
Here, he asks for our community's help to be counted:
The East Bay Senior Independent
Get a monthly newsletter of tips to make life happier and healthier at home.