PROGRAM RULES:
Auto Purchase up to $5000 (new, higher limit!)
Auto Repairs up to #2,000 per 12 months period (NEW!)
Apply at the Department of Human Services that serves your community. Tell your worker you would like to apply for DIRECT SUPPORT SERVICES.
Public transportation must NOT be reasonably available
You must have the ability to afford any payments and car insurance
You must have a valid driver’s license
You currently do NOT own a unusable car
A car inspection by a LICENSED mechanic will be needed

AUTO REPAIRS: The repair is expected to make the vehicle road worthy and safe and the vehicle is needed to retain & obtain employment or for activities to prepare for employment (cannot be disabled). Total cost of repairs up to $2,000
or difference is paid by customer) including repairs covered in the last 12 months and cost of repairs does not exceed the value of the vehicle.
You must own your own vehicle (lease cars qualify if you have more than 12 months left in the lease).
You must have a valid driver’s license.
The repairs will make the vehicle safe & roadworthy including new tires or headlamps.
An ESTIMATE of the car repairs will be needed before application is put in.

In addition to other eligibility criteria, the applicant must be an existing DHHS client/household that’s receiving certain DHHS benefits and includes a pregnant person, a child under age 18, or a child aged 18 who is in high school full-time on the DHHS case. There is no application for this assistance. It generally requires getting 1-2 estimates for the repairs and submitting them to your case specialist. Contact your local MDHHS office for specific instructions before you get any estimates.
NOTE:
DHHS may assist with the License and Registration Fees Through the ESS program:
Include, but are not limited to, transportation, special clothing, tools, physical exams, vehicle purchases, vehicle insur-
ance and vehicle repair. ESS may be authorized by MDHHS or PATH program. When needed to obtain, maintain, or en- hance a person’s employment when it has been verified that funds are not available from other sources.
Examples:
One-time work-related expenses such as:
Payment for license fees (vehicle, trade certification)
Purchase of professional tools
Vehicle inspection, sales tax on vehicle purchases, estimate or towing
License plates
Client should contact the case worker for more info or request services through https://newmibridges.michigan.gov