If you feel you were wrongly cut off from benefits from the Department of Human Services there are several things you can do to try to solve the problem. 

• You can contact your case worker’s supervisor if you have questions about why the benefits were cut off.  If you think there was a mistake, you can explain to them why.  If you do not have the case worker information you can call the office where you applied and by providing your Social Security Number and your name they will be able to give you the case number and your case worker’s information.
• You can request a hearing by signing and returning the notice form sent to you by DHS.  Be sure to keep a copy for your records. 
• In order to keep your benefits going until you settle the problem or get a hearing decision, DHS must RECEIVE your request by the deadline date on the notice (usually on the back of the notice).  This is usually about 10 days from the date on the notice.
• You have the right to ask the Department of Human Services for a hearing within 90 days after the denial or termination of benefits. 
• At the same time you can reapply for the benefits.  Click here for a copy of the application form.  This may be especially important if DHS closed your case because they think they did not receive something that you provided to them.  If you reapply, you might get benefits in 30 to 45 days.  If you lose the appeal without reapplying, you might lose 3 to 4 months of benefits total.

To get help with resolving the problem:

• You can contact CCJ's Food and Nutrition Program HelpLine at 1-800-481-4989 if the problem relates to Food Assistance benefits.

• If you live in Genesee County, and the problem relates to a medical insurance program, contact the Health Eligibility Law Project (HELP) at (810) 238-8053.

Issues related to Termination of Benefits 

DHS Medicaid termination notices appear to violate federal law regarding date of termination - Issue Alert 07-09-01 (Sept 07)