STATUS: Open

SERVICE AREA: City of Southfield. Some services are also available to residents of Oakland, Wayne and Macomb Counties.

CLIENTS SERVED: Southfield residents experiencing financial hardship or needing other social-service needs

DESCRIPTION: Southfield Human Services provides short-term assistance, referrals and connections to community resources to help residents address hardships. The department works with local nonprofits, churches and other community partners to provide or coordinate assistance with food, utilities, housing, furniture, legal services and other needs.

SERVICES / PROGRAMS:

• Information & Referral: Provides consultations and referrals based on identified needs, including food, clothing, utility assistance, housing and furniture.
• Hardship Assistance: Limited assistance is available to qualified Southfield residents through partnerships with local churches, businesses, foundations and community organizations. Assistance and eligibility vary based on the available funding and the household’s circumstances.
• Food Assistance: Partners with Focus: HOPE and TEFAP to provide food boxes to eligible residents and seniors. TEFAP provides one box of non-perishable food, but residents should call for distribution dates.
• Legal Aid: Free legal assistance is available addressing civil legal matters. Referrals and/or assistance are available for issues such as housing, public benefits, disability rights, veterans’ issues, foreclosure and other legal concerns.
• MDHHS Social Worker: A state MDHHS social worker assists Southfield residents with applications for food, Medicaid, cash assistance and emergency assistance, answers case questions and provides referrals to other agencies.
• Homebuyer & Financial Education: Facilitates free homebuyer, financial literacy and educational programs through community partners including Community Housing Network and Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency.
• Veteran Assistance: Special funding programs are available for area veterans through partnerships with the Southfield Veterans Commission and community organizations.
• Minor Vehicle Repair: Partners with Tone Up for Tune Ups to provide minor vehicle repair and employment-related solutions.
• Senior Services & Advocacy: Works with the Commission on Senior Adults (COSA) on senior concerns, including housing and transportation issues, advocacy, information and connections to community resources.
• Adopt-A-Family / Holiday Assistance: Coordinates seasonal assistance through businesses, faith-based organizations and residents to provide food and gifts to families during Thanksgiving and Christmas.

SPECIAL PROGRAM: THE CHORE PROGRAM: Southfield’s Chore Program provides home and yard maintenance assistance to qualifying Southfield homeowners who are age 62+ or permanently disabled and living alone, subject to income guidelines. Services include lawn care, shrub/tree trimming, leaf pickup, snow removal, window/gutter cleaning, minor plumbing, furnace cleaning/minor repair, minor electrical repair, painting and carpentry. Visit the Southfield dedicated CHORE page for more information.

HOW TO APPLY: Call the Office of Human Services, 248-796-4540, Monday–Friday, 8 am – 5 pm, for an appointment. The department can also provide referrals to other agencies when it cannot directly assist.