Overview

CCJ provides information to organizations and advocates about the rights of different people applying for benefits through the Department of Human Services (DHS).  CCJ’s Food and Nutrition Helpline also answers questions about the application process to anyone who has applied or is thinking about applying for food assistance.

This article talks about some of CCJ's achievements and provides links to application forms on the web.  

CCJ’s Healthcare Eligibility Law Project in Genesee County answers questions about healthcare applications, but for people living in Genesee County only.

DHS assistance programs include: Food Assistance Program (FAP) or food stamps, Medical Assistance (MA) or Medicaid, Child Day Care (CDC), State Emergency Relief (SER), State Disability Assistance (SDA), and Family Independence Program (FIP) or cash assistance.  DHS also has special programs for refugees (Refugee Assistance Program).

Achievements

Improvements to Application form:  CCJ served on the redesign committee for the new DHS application (commonly referred to as the 1171 application). As part of that work, CCJ ensured the application contained information that would allow a determination of whether an applicant is eligible for State Disability Assistance if the applicant lives with and cares for a person with serious disabilities.

Voice Mail Improvements for Spanish Speaking persons:  CCJ discovered that DHS voice mail systems were frustrating for Spanish-speaking persons with limited English proficiency.  Many voice mail systems did not have a Spanish option. Following advocacy by CCJ, DHS decided to develop a central Spanish voice mail message to be used statewide so Spanish speaking callers know can leave a message in a special voice mail box which is monitored and translated by a Spanish speaking worker.

Useful Links

*The new DHS Application Form, Information Booklet, and Filing Form

Click Here to Get the Application Form

This form can be used to apply for any or all of the following: Food Assistance, Medical Assistance, cash assistance, Child Day Care assistance, and State Emergency Relief.  You can fill this form out on-line using a computer, but you must print it out when you are done because the form will not save with the information you put into it.  You must deliver or mail the application to the local Department of Human Services office.

*Healthy Kids Medicaid and MI-Child On-line Application Form

You can apply for health insurance for your children on-line by clicking on this link: http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-2943_4845_4931-37347--,00.html

*Local DHS Offices

Find the DHS office in your county where you can apply for benefits by clicking on this link: http://www.michigan.gov/dhs/0,1607,7-124-5461---,00.html