Michigan Assistance Programs

by

State of Michigan Assistance Programs

There are numerous financial assistance programs in Michigan designed to help residents during challenging times. From rent assistance, paying bills, free food, and free medical care, local residents can find a variety of resources to help when times are tough.

Let’s explore how you can benefit from these programs available across cities and counties including Detroit, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, South Haven, Clare, Cadillac, and hundreds of other communities.

Michigan Counties (Find Local Help)

Statewide Assistance Programs In Michigan (All Counties)

  1. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services: Website: Michigan DHHS
  2. MI Bridges (to apply for various assistance programs including FIP, SNAP, etc.): Website: MI Bridges
  3. Michigan Salvation Army: Website: Salvation Army Michigan
  4. Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) (for housing assistance and programs): Website: MSHDA
  5. Michigan Agency on Aging: Website: Area Agencies on Aging
  6. Michigan Legal Help (for free legal aid): Website: Michigan Legal Help
  7. Michigan Works! (for employment assistance): Website: Michigan Works!
  8. Community Action Agencies in Michigan: Website: Community Action Agencies
  9. Utility and Energy Company Assistance in Michigan: You can generally find programs on the official websites of your local utility companies.
  10. Michigan LIHEAP Program: Website: Michigan LIHEAP
low income families

Quick Help for Urgent Needs

Emergency Financial Aid

Whether it’s a sudden crisis or a long-term issue, financial help is available in Michigan.

Charities and government agencies work together to provide resources like free clothing, groceries, transportation assistance, and support with housing needs.

They aim to not only provide emergency help but also foster long-term support to individuals and families.

Where to Find Free Stuff

There are places in Michigan where you can find essentials without any cost, free of cost.

These include free food, clothes, and even transportation help like gas cards for work.

Here are several outfits that operate across the state of MI and can be a good start to find free items to help you and your family:

  1. Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS)
    • Assistance with food, health care, cash, child care, emergency relief, and more.
    • Website: MDHHS
    • Phone: 1-855-275-6424
  2. Feeding America West Michigan
  3. Gleaners Community Food Bank
  4. The Salvation Army of Michigan
    • Provides various types of assistance including food, shelter, utility bill assistance, and more, where expenses can surprisingly add up quickly if you live on fixed income or on low hourly wages.
    • Website: Salvation Army Michigan
    • Phone: Varies by location, check the website for details.
  5. Michigan 2-1-1
    • Connects residents to a wide range of services including food, housing, and utility assistance.
    • Website: Michigan 2-1-1
    • Phone: 211
  6. Focus: HOPE
    • Offers food, career training, and other community assistance programs in the Detroit area.
    • Website: Focus: HOPE
    • Phone: (313) 494-5500
  7. Forgotten Harvest
    • A nonprofit organization dedicated to relieving hunger in Metro Detroit and preventing nutritious food waste.
    • Website: Forgotten Harvest
    • Phone: (248) 967-1500
  8. United Way for Southeastern Michigan
    • Offers help with a range of issues including food, housing, and education.
    • Website: United Way SEM
    • Phone: (313) 226-9200
  9. CARE of Southeastern Michigan
  10. Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness
    • Resources for those facing homelessness include assistance with housing, basic needs, and more.
    • Website: MCAH
    • Phone: (517) 487-6534

Key Programs to Assist You

A Michigan Fact

In 2019, about 14.1% of Michigan residents were living in poverty, a rate slightly higher than the national average at that time.

Health and Medical Assistance

  1. MiRx Prescription Drug Assistance Program: For Michigan residents without adequate insurance, this program offers discounts and financial assistance for prescription medications and other medical needs. You can reach them at 1-866-755-6479 for more information.
  2. MiChild: Aimed at helping low-income families and single parents, this program provides free health insurance for kids and toddlers in Michigan. You can call them at 1-855-789-5610 to learn more about the minimal monthly premiums and benefits.
  3. Family Independence Program (FIP): This initiative helps families become self-reliant by offering financial aid for housing, job training, and transportation, among other necessities. Dial 517-373-3740 to inquire further.
  4. Health Care Coverage Programs: Michigan offers various healthcare programs with either free or reduced-cost options that can offer financial relief from the strain of health bills. These are designed for individuals and families meeting certain eligibility criteria. To know more, you can contact them at 1-888-988-6300 or 1-800-642-3195.

Home and Utility Assistance

  1. State Emergency Relief (SER): This program provides limited financial help for emergencies that threaten health or safety, including assistance with utility bills and home repairs. To learn more, call 517-373-3740 for help.
  2. Utility and Heating Disconnection Rules: In Michigan, several laws protect low-income families, senior citizens or older adults, and the working poor from power or heat disconnections, which obviously is a problem in a cold weather state like Michigan. Visit your local government website for more details on these protections.
  3. Home Repairs through SER: This component of SER assists with essential home repairs to mitigate unsafe conditions. Learn more about the eligible home repairs and how to apply by visiting your local government website (in your city or town).

Childcare and Educational Assistance

  1. Free Child Care Program: This initiative helps lessen the strain on family financial budgets by offering financial aid for daycare services for kids. You can call them at 1-866-540-0008.
  2. Educational Services: Community action agencies in Michigan offer a variety of services including job training for employment and educational programs to prepare residents for better-paying jobs. Visit your local community action agency to learn more about these opportunities.
free child care

Are There Additional Resources For Michigan Residents?

Apart from the aforementioned programs, there are several others focused on housing assistance, legal aid, homeownership services, and more. Remember, help is just a phone call or a visit away.

Here’s an example of a resource you might not have thought about……furniture assistance.

Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan

  • They offer help with furniture assistance to families and individuals in need, especially helpful for large families living in a single home or apartment where several pieces of functional furniture could help.
  • Website: Furniture Bank
  • Phone: 248-332-1300

Local Michigan Low-Income Resources

Check back, we’ll additional information for low-income help in specific communities.

Home ยป Michigan Assistance Programs