Sept. 22, 2009

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - Help is available for Michigan families adversely impacted by the state's troubled economy. That's the message Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS) Director Ismael Ahmed delivered when he visited Grand Traverse County on Tuesday.

He spoke at the Traverse City residence of Sharon Richards, whose home is being renovated for greater energy efficiency with help from the Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency. He was joined at the event by Grand Traverse-Leelanau DHS Director Dawn McLaughlin and Community Action Agency Executive Director John Stephenson.

Ahmed highlighted several resources for individuals and families including a new online food assistance application, increased benefits, and a program that serves adults who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Almost 1.6 million people - about 16 percent of the state's population - now receive food assistance in Michigan, Ahmed said.

"We are dedicated to providing food assistance to as many eligible families as possible," he added. "To make it easier for more families to get help from us, we've made it possible to apply for food assistance online 24 hours a day, seven days a week."

The online food assistance application can be found at www.michigan.gov/mibridges.

Ahmed noted that, in April, families on food assistance were granted a 13.6 percent increase in benefits under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"That's significant," he said, "because we know every $5 in new Food Assistance Program benefits generates $9.20 in total economic activity."

He also highlighted the Michigan Combined Application Project, or MiCAP, which allows adults who receive SSI and live independently to receive Food Assistance Program benefits automatically.

"These initiatives," he concluded, "are innovative ways to enhance our customer service and increase access to available resources. They also help us achieve our mission of protecting the state's vulnerable children, adults and families."

There many more important resources available to families struggling to make ends meet during these difficult economic times, McLaughlin said.

"Many of those families have never needed help before, and may not be familiar with the options available to them," she added.

One option is the State Emergency Relief (SER), a crisis intervention program that provides services such as payment for heating fuel, electricity and home repairs. Applications for SER are available at county DHS offices.

Stephenson pointed out another option, the weatherization program. Weatherization helps low-income families make their homes more energy efficient and reduces fuel costs by as much as 20 percent.

Under the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Michigan will see a $243 million increase to weatherize 30,000 additional homes over the next three years for those who are having the most trouble paying their bills. Currently, Michigan's program ? mostly through a network of community action agencies ? weatherizes about 5,000 homes each year.

Weatherizing and improving efficiency of homes and businesses not only can save people money, but it creates jobs. The increase is expected to create between 700 and 1,300 jobs in Michigan.

"The current expansion of the Weatherization Program is providing additional green jobs in our area," Stephenson said. "It is significantly increasing the local purchasing of materials for the homes. All materials are purchased locally. Further, it reduces the heating and utility bills for low-income people, giving them needed cash to spend on other necessities which stimulates the local economy. Every home weatherized represents year-after-year savings of dollars that can stay in Michigan improving our local economy, while making homes more energy efficient, safe and affordable."

Families interested in the program should contact the Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency or their local community action agency.

For more information, please visit the DHS Web site. Follow us on Twitter @MichiganDHS and become a fan at www.facebook.com/MichiganDHS.