Living Expenses Assistance and Resources
Housing Assistance
Having trouble paying or receiving rent? The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) has federal funds available to help tenants facing pandemic-related hardships avoid eviction while also ensuring landlords can recoup owed rent through the COVID Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) program. MSHDA administers CERA through its statewide network of local nonprofit agencies. We encourage everyone who is eligible to apply today and take advantage of a program that can help restore housing stability. For more information, please visit: www.michigan.gov/mshda
Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF)
The Homeowner Assistance Fund was established by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to provide financial assistance to prevent homeowner mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosure, loss of energy services, and displacement of homeowners due to financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information please visit: Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF)
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) information and resources: www.hud.gov/coronavirus
Community Housing Network: communityhousingnetwork.org/
United Way of Southeast Michigan: unitedwaysem.org/utility-assistance/
Freddie Mac Loan Provider is working to ensure families impacted by the coronavirus have options that will help them stay in their homes during this challenging time. For more information please visit: www.freddiemac.com/about/covid-19
The State of Michigan released the MIMortgage Relief Partnership to provide mortgage relief and financial protections announced by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on April 23, 2020. If you have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19 please contact your financial institution or servicer directly to learn the details of the relief options available to you. Please note this list is being updated on a continuous basis.
The Wayne County Emergency Rental Assistance Program provides assistance in the following areas:
- Rental Assistance
- Utility Assistance (Electricity, Home Heating, Water, Sewer
- Internet Stipends
- Relocation Assistance
To learn more and to apply for assistance please visit Wayne County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)or call the dedicated ERAP call center at 833-742-1513 during regular business hours.”
Wayne Metro: CARES Relief & Recovery Services provides assistance in the following areas for residents of Wayne County:
- Food and Income Support
- Water and Energy Assistance
- Rent and Mortgage Assistance
- Property Tax Assistance
- Emergency Plumbing Repair
- Funeral Assistance
To learn more and to apply for assistance please visit their website or call the Wayne Metro CONNECT Center at 313-388-9799.
InMyArea Moving Tool - The moving comparison tool provided through InMyArea is an interactive form that compares the cost of moving, home service cost/availability and the safety scores of each city. This resource will help individuals have peace of mind as they transition to their new residence.
Utility Assistance
A list of public utilities in Michigan, go to the utility website to find out the latest information on what the organization is doing for customers.
Consumer Energy & DTE: have suspended shutoffs to seniors and low-income Michigan residents
The State of Michigan has recommended the following if you are struggling with utility bills:
- Contact your utility or propane supplier to ask what kind of protections, funding, flexible payment options, or energy saving tools and resources are available.
- Call 211 or go to mi211.org for information about getting help paying your utility bill or how to contact agencies that may assist you with your energy bill.
- Apply for State Emergency Relief (SER) directly through MI Bridges for bill payment assistance or call 855-275-6424. You can also get assistance with the applications process by calling 211 to be referred to a Michigan Energy Assistance Program grantee that can help.
- Apply for a Home Heating Credit. Visit the Michigan Department of Treasury’s website to see if you qualify. Even though this funding is distributed by the Department of Treasury, you do not need to pay taxes or wait for a tax return to receive this credit, so apply now if you are eligible. For more information, read the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) Home Heating Credit consumer tip.
- Contact their local water department to learn about assistance programs. Detroit residents should reach out to Wayne Metro at 313-386-9727.
Gretchen Whitmer ordered the restoration of water service under Executive Order 2020-28 to ensure at-risk households have access to clean water for hand washing and other critical sanitation needs.
Michigan residents without running water should take the following steps:
- Contact your local water department and tell them you are eligible for reconnection under the governor’s executive order. If you are unsure how to reach your authority, contact your local city, village or township offices to find out. Detroiters can call Wayne Metro at 313-386-9727.
- If you are unable to reach your water provider or they are unwilling or unable to restore service, you may obtain assistance from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) at 1-800-662-9278.
- Once service is reconnected, it is important to properly flush the pipes to clear stagnant water that may have collected contaminants. Guidance on flushing is available in English, in Spanish, and in Arabic. Guidance on flushing appliances that use water – like refrigerator ice makers or water softeners, is also available in English, in Spanish, and in Arabic. A video (in English) on how to properly flush systems is available here.
For residents struggling with heat and electric bills during the COVID-19 pandemic, utilities across the state have suspended non-payment disconnections for low-income and senior customers for the duration of the emergency. Information and tips on managing utility bills are available here through the Michigan Public Service Commission.
For more information please visit: www.michigan.gov/coronavirus
Telecommunication
FCC launched the Keep America Connected Pledge so where telecommunication companies pledge not to terminate any service to any residential or small business customers because of inability to pay their bills due to disruptions caused by COVID-19; waive any late fees that any residential or small business customers incur because of economic circumstances related to COVID-19, and open Wi-Fi hotspots to any American who needs them. See the pledge to see a list of companies that have agreed to the pledge.
- Those Businesses going beyond the Pledge
Bill Assistance
To assist families with monthly internet bills, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) launched the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program. The EBB Program will provide struggling families a discount of $50, or $75 on tribal lands, off the monthly cost of home internet service. It may also provide up to 100$ for a computer. For more information and to see if you are eligible to apply, please visit:
- www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit
- usa.gov/help-with-bills
- Michigan Community Action Agencies – member service network dedicated to helping those in need throughout the state.
Insurance And Financial Services Questions And Complaints
The Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) announced that its call center continues regular operations and remains prepared to assist Michigan consumers with their insurance and financial services concerns, especially those individuals impacted by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
DIFS stands ready to assist with:
- Questions about health insurance coverage for COVID-19 treatment or testing.
- Concerns about access to telemedicine.
- Questions about the servicing of loans or mortgages.
- Questions about banks or credit unions and the availability of financial services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Insurance agent or consumer finance licensing questions.
- Questions about insurance policies, grace periods, and premium payment extensions in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Appealing an adverse decision regarding a health care claim under the Patient’s Right to Independent Review Act (PRIRA).
For more information visit: michigan.gov/difs or call toll free at 877-999-6442 or email DIFSComplainst@michigan.gov.