The State Emergency Relief (SER) Program is a state program that provides short term assistance to help with emergency situations such as evictions, utility shut offs, and other emergencies. An application is available from the Michigan Department of Human Services.  In order to qualify for assistance, applicants must meet income and other requirements.  For more information, see the links below.

Resources 

Tri-Fold Pamphlet about the SER Program.  This pamphlet is useful for agencies and low-income persons.

The State Emergency Relief Manual, which contains DHS policy on who is eligible for help, can be found online by clicking here.

Our website has more information about utility shut-offs. 

Issues 

Michigan SER law does not allow most  homeless people who are “doubled up” or living with other families to qualify for relocation assistance (first month's rent and security deposit). Homeless means living on the street, in a car,  or in a shelter.  

CCJ learned that this policy hurt domestic violence survivors in rural areas who did not have access to a local shelter,  and also survivors who did not want to live apart from teenage sons, who are typically not allowed in many domestic violence shelters.  CCJ worked with domestic violence advocates to enact a change in state law that allows domestic violence survivors to qualify for SER,  even if they are doubled up with someone else.   

CCJ continues to advocate for changes that would allow other families who are homeless but living with another family member instead of a shelter to also qualify for SER relocation assistance.