STATUS: Open

SERVICE AREA: Statewide – Michigan

CLIENTS SERVED: Low-income Michigan individuals and families experiencing an emergency or condition of extreme hardship that threatens health or safety. Eligibility is determined by MDHHS based on household circumstances, income, assets, and the type of emergency.

DESCRIPTION
Michigan’s State Emergency Relief (SER) program is administered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). This program provides emergency financial assistance to help eligible households address immediate needs and maintain safe housing. SER is intended primarily for households that are normally able to meet their needs but are experiencing an unexpected emergency; it is not intended to address ongoing or chronic financial difficulties.

SER assistance is not guaranteed, even when a household has an emergency. Income, assets, the specific type of emergency, available funding, and other requirements affect eligibility. For home repairs, the home must generally be the applicant’s permanent residence, the applicant must have responsibility for the repairs, and the repair must be necessary to restore the home to a safe, livable condition rather than being an improvement or nonessential repair.

EMPLOYMENT / SELF-SUFFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS: Employment is not a universal requirement for SER, but additional eligibility requirements may apply to utility/energy assistance depending on the household’s circumstances. Applicants may be expected to pursue available sources of income or benefits for which they qualify. A person who is unemployed should still apply rather than assuming they are ineligible.

SERVICES & PROGRAMS:

• Heat & Utility Assistance: Assistance may be available for heating fuel, electricity, water/sewer, cooking gas, and certain utility deposits or reconnection fees when eligibility requirements are met. Energy assistance generally requires an immediate need such as a past-due or shutoff notice, service that has been disconnected, fuel that needs to be delivered, or certain low-balance or prepayment situations. After application, MI Bridges can send a notice to the Utility Company to suspend the shutoff.
• Home Repairs & Energy-Related Home Repairs: Assistance for essential repairs needed to correct an unsafe condition or restore an essential service. Eligible repairs may include furnace repair/replacement, hot water heaters, septic systems, and other qualifying repairs. Energy-related home repairs (Furnace) have a $4,000 lifetime maximum per family group; non-energy-related home repairs have a $1,500 lifetime maximum. If a client is approved:
  • MDHHS authorizes the most cost-effective eligible repair and amount.
  • The contractor/vendor performs the work.
  • MDHHS pays the approved amount to the contractor/vendor (not the client directly).
  • If the repair costs more than the SER-approved amount, the client must make up the difference themselves.
• Relocation Assistance: Assistance may be available for rent, rent arrears, security deposits, and moving expenses when specific circumstances create a need to relocate.
• Home Ownership Services: Assistance may be available for certain mortgage, property-tax, lot-rent, or homeowner’s insurance emergencies when the household is at risk of losing its home.
• Burial Assistance: Assistance may be available toward burial or cremation costs when available resources are insufficient.

HOW TO APPLY: Visit MI Bridges to apply online. Call 844-464-3447 to apply, or for questions about an application/benefits case. For technical assistance with the MI Bridges website, call 844-799-9876.