When times are tough, you can request help with your bills.
As gas and food prices rise, families find it even harder to keep up with their monthly bills. One full-time job is often not enough to adequately provide for a family. Fortunately, residents of Michigan have several resources available to them if they are willing to ask for help. These resources include government assistance programs as well as established charities.
LIHEAP
Heating bills can be outrageous during the winter months. Low-income Michigan residents can apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, to get money to pay electric, gas or oil bills. Income, family size and current energy bills determine eligibility. Applications can be filled out and submitted at your county's Social Services office. If you have any questions, or need help finding a Social Services office, you can contact them through their website (see resources).
Family Independence Program
Sometimes families require more help than just paying a few heating bills. Michigan's Family Independence Program provides cash for food, clothing, rent, utilities and even for personal care items. This program exists only for families with children under the age of 18 living at home, or pregnant women. Once approved, all capable adults can enter a job training program, or receive help to find work. Applications are available at your local Department of Human Services office. Use the Department of Human Services online map (see Resources) to locate the office in your county.
PeopleCare Program
The Salvation Army, along with Consumers Energy, offers Michigan residents help with their bills through a program called the PeopleCare Program. Applicants can apply for help with any bill they are having trouble paying including rent, food, medical bills, utility bills, funeral expenses and even car repairs. See Resources to request a PeopleCare Program application to begin getting help with your bills.
Help with Food
Several Michigan charities and programs are set-up to make sure families are getting the food they need, when they cannot afford a grocery bill. They provide food for low-income families. See Resources for eligibility and application information. Meals-on-Wheels brings lunch and dinner to the elderly, disabled or housebound. Use Michigan's Charity Directory (see Resources) to find a Meals-on-Wheels center near you.
Many towns throughout Michigan also have food banks and food pantries that will provide families with a month's worth of food at a time. See Resources for a full list to find the food bank nearest you.
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