Table of Contents
Navigate through this resource
Community action agency assistance programs in Michigan
Locate assistance programs from a Michigan community action agency near you. Non-profit centers provide case management, low income grant programs, employment, job training, and much more.
Assistance can help a family pay a bill to overcome a short term hardship or emergency. At the same time, a case manager from your local Michigan non-profit community agency program listed below will assist an individual with increasing their income or improving their finances.
Community action agency outreach programs in MI
Community action agency assistance programs in Michigan.
They also offer So free job training, budgeting, or credit counseling services. Funding and resources for these community action agencies will change from year to year. So all programs may not be offered, and only qualified individuals will receive help.
However even if a location can’t meet your specific need, they may have other solutions for you, or be able to refer an individual to other state of Michigan government assistance programs or non-profit organizations to fix a house, get a car or provide other support.
Grants for paying bills and people with financial hardship
Community action agency outreach programs in MI: Outreach and case management services
are a core function of any agency. Staff can link or refer people to a variety of federal government, state of Michigan and local programs. The outreach staff provide direct coordination and also follow-up. They are a great resource for many of the assistance programs that are available and provided by all human service agencies that assist low income individuals, seniors and families.
Not only does a community action agency provide referrals, but some may have the ability or resources to offer direct services or cash grants. Case managers provide personal one-on-one contact with the client, and staff can learn about the specific needs of the individual or family. Outreach staff will also usually conduct a home visit with an individual or senior who is unable to get out of the home, and this can also help them better understand needs.
Family Self Sufficiency
Food assistance in MI from a community action program
is a HUD created program that encourages community action agencies and public housing authorities (PHAs) to develop strategies to help Section-8 Housing Choice Voucher families obtain employment.
Work with a Michigan social worker to help gain economic independence and self-sufficiency. Many of these Family Self Sufficiency resources are run in partnership with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.
Together you will develop a comprehensive program that gives family members the skills and experience needed to enable them to gain new skills as well as find and maintain suitable employment.
Participants are provided support through education, job, and human service delivery systems. All of this is done to help address what may seem to be insurmountable personal and financial barriers to economic growth.
Goal-setting and service delivery for these services are coordinated through your local Michigan Community Action Agency's Resource Coordinator. Matched savings accounts are offered from: Individual Development Accounts
Foreclosure counseling and free housing grants from community action agencies in Michigan
. Money from these accounts can be used to help people go back to school to get a degree/technical certificate or help people purchase a home. The money can also be used to repair a home, and combined with government grants. Participants of the IDA will open accounts at participating banks in order to save money, and your community action agency will match a portion of your savings.
Michigan Benefits Access is the umbrella name of all state benefits. Low income and poor families may be eligible for one or more of the following. Food stamps or SNAP, LIHEAP, TANF, child care subsidies, SCHIP, Medicaid, and EITC. Many locations also offer outreach and client education services and Medicaid enrollment services for managed health care plans.
Get questions answered, or help applying for the Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program. Community action staff will assist seniors, the very low income and people with disabilities with Medicare and Medicaid issues. For example, get help in completing the application, learn how to choose Medicare Part D plans, or find prescription assistance resources.
A similar service is Michigan Enrolls, which provides certified enrollment counselors who can help persons approved for Medicaid benefits through the State of Michigan to receive information regarding their benefit and health care options.
Most services are available by phone but walk-in services are available at many locations. Migrant Services can provide nutritional, medical, assistance programs, educational, and other services that will meet the needs of the migrant population.
The services require that recipients have the proper documentation and that they fill out an application with staff from their local agency. Grants for paying bills and people with financial hardship: While limited, some centers may have funding for
Additional non-profit agency programs in Michigan
emergency heating and utility bill assistance
for those low income and struggling individuals or families who have shut-off notices or that may be in danger of running out of fuel. Emergency services may also be offered for adults who are homeless and/or at risk of homelessness. Grants can be used for eviction prevention, and the one-time assistance may include funds for paying rent, housing, property taxes, emergency hotel/motel assistance, and other needs.
Case managers can help low income families apply for the Michigan home heating credit grant based program. Staff can help determine eligibility for: Michigan Enrolls
Job training and MI community action free educational services
, public aid, food stamps, and programs like Medicaid. Other government run programs that you can apply for in your county include Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) or the LIHEAP emergency utility assistance/shut off prevention program.
Vouchers for paying rent can be provided by section 8. Get help in
applying for public assistance Applications are also accepted and processed for the:
Addresses and phone numbers of community action agencies in MI
Weatherization Assistance Program
. This is mostly funded by the Federal Government Department of Energy, but the state of Michigan may have some supplemental funds as well. Low-income homeowners and even renters can be provided services such as caulking, insulation of attics, walls and crawl spaces and weather-stripping. The goal of weatherization is to lower energy bills for the individual thereby freeing up income that can be applied toward paying another living expense or basic need.
Stopping or reversing homelessness is always key. Several homeless prevention programs
are available in most towns and counties across Michigan. For those families who find themselves homeless right now, or who are behind on rent and are at risk of becoming homeless, then your local community action agency may either operate or be aware of temporary or permanent housing solutions. The goal is to transition people and single parents to permanent housing.
At the same time, sign up for employment programs that can supply people with the skills and means to maintain and pay for that new apartment or permanent home.
Direct shelter or rent payment assistance requires case management from your local community action agency. They will usually require participation in a basic budgeting workshop prior to payment to the land. You will also explore strategies to prevent recurrence of the crisis in the future and there may be required participation in an educational workshop.
Utility assistance as part of homeless prevention is rare. Sometimes emergency funding or government grants may be offered to low-income residents. If available, it is usually only for those families with a shut off notice or letter of non-delivery from their fuel provider. Community action agencies in Michigan can work with families on how to stop an eviction More formal: Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Programs may be offered as well.
These can generally provide longer term case management services and financial assistance to help homeless individuals and families. Get help in identifying and overcoming the underlying cause(s) of homelessness.
Also sign up for programs that can help increase employment skills, income and/or access to mainstream benefits and resources in Michigan.
Food assistance in MI from a community action program: Commodity Foods or the: CSFP Supplemental Food Program
is for the elderly and children under the age of 6 who are not enrolled in WIC. Groceries, boxes of healthy and well-balanced shelf-stable foods and more are offered to the low income. Hundreds of sites across Michigan, including many churches, community action agencies, and charities distribute and participate in the CSFP program.
The food is meant to be a supplement to their current food supply, and it enables families to free up money so they can focus their income on other needs. The: Emergency Food Assistance Program / TEFAP provides surplus government commodities to low-income households up to four times per year. Although the exact contents of food packages will vary widely, each package includes items that will contain protein, fruit and vegetables.
All of the food and perishable items will be intended to ensure nutritional needs are met. The: Senior Nutrition Programs also include both Congregate and Home Delivered Meals. After all proper nutrition is critical to maintaining health and quality of life for aging seniors. Healthy food and meals are essential for the prevention or delay of chronic diseases and related disabilities.
All senior meals served at a meal site or that are delivered from Meals on Wheels will meet or exceed one-third of the USDA Recommended Daily Allowances of nutrient
Ready to Get Help?
Take the next step and visit the official resource page to learn more and apply for assistance.