Economic Supports

Find information on financial assistance programs designed to support essential needs during times of hardship including help with monthly financial assistance, utilities, rent and housing costs, emergency funds, health care supports, and everyday expenses. Whether you are facing a short-term financial crisis or need ongoing assistance, these programs are designed to provide relief and stability.

MI Bridges-Apply for Assistance

The MI Bridges portal from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is a secure online platform that helps residents apply for and manage a variety of state assistance programs, including food assistance, child care support, and emergency funding supports You can upload documents, check your case status, renew benefit, and get connected to local resources.

Michigan 211

Michigan 2-1-1 (MI 211) is a free, confidential statewide service that connects individuals and families with local health and human services resources. It serves as a central “information and referral” system, helping people find support for needs such as housing, food assistance, utility help, healthcare, mental health services, transportation, and other essential community programs. MI 211 is available 24/7 by phone, text, chat, or online search.

Community Connections – Personal Support

Community Connections is a free program in Northern Michigan that provides assistance connecting adults, children, and families to the resources they need including economic supports. Services are provided with supportive phone calls, office visits, and home visits by a community health worker, nurse, and/or social worker.

Michigan Assistance Programs

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) provides a wide range of state and federally funded supports designed to help individuals and families meet basic needs and improve well-being. This page serves as a central hub for programs such as cash assistance, Medicaid and health care coverage, child care support, housing and utility relief, and services for children and families. It also includes specialized programs like Women, Infants & Children (WIC), refugee assistance, and Children’s Special Health Care Services.

Cash Assistance in Michigan

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has several cash assistance programs for individuals and families seeking financial support including the Family Independence Program (FIP), which provides temporary cash assistance to eligible low-income families with children, as well as State Disability Assistance (SDA) for qualifying adults with disabilities. The page explains how to apply through MI Bridges, by mail, or in person at a local MDHHS office, and outlines the required information needed to determine eligibility.

Michigan Unemployment Insurance Services

MiWAM (Michigan Web Account Manager) – Unemployment Insurance Account Portal is an online system used by the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) to help individuals manage their unemployment benefits. Through this portal, users can file new unemployment claims, certify eligibility for weekly or biweekly benefits, check payment history and claim balances, update personal information, and respond to requests or notices from UIA.

Disaster Assistance

Associa Cares provides financial assistance for natural or man-made disasters that occurred within the past 6 months. The nonprofit organization provides one-time grants to help eligible applicants whose primary residence has been damaged or destroyed by events such as fires, floods, storms, or other qualifying emergencies. Assistance is intended to support immediate recovery needs, such as temporary housing, essential living expenses, and basic household recovery costs. You can find their application on this site.

Urgent Care Grants – RedRover Pet Assistance

The RedRover Relief Urgent Care grant program provides financial assistance, resources, and emotional support for pet guardians struggling with economic hardship when pets are in life-threatening situations. The average grant is around $250 and is intended to fill a small gap in funding that is keeping an animal from care.

Salvation Army: Overcome Poverty Supports

The Salvation Army in Traverse City offers a variety of programs to help individuals and families overcome poverty, including individual assistance to overcome poverty, utility supports, and emergency assistance. This webpage describes these programs and how to access them.

Find Free or Low-Cost Health Care in Michigan

This webpage, provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, includes information on a variety of programs and supports that offer individuals and families free or low-cost health care in Michigan.

Rx Outreach Prescription Assistance

Rx Outreach is a nonprofit, mail-order pharmacy that provides affordable prescription medications to individuals and families across the United States. The organization offers more than 1,000 medications for a wide range of chronic and acute conditions, including mental health, diabetes, heart disease, and more. Rx Outreach is designed to reduce financial barriers to healthcare by offering transparent, low-cost pricing, free home delivery, and services available to people with or without insurance.

Affordable Diabetic

Affordable Diabetic is an online retailer that provides low-cost diabetes management supplies, including test strips, blood glucose monitors, and lancets.

Mercy Medical Angels Travel Assistance

Mercy Medical Angels – Passenger Screening (Medical Travel Eligibility Form) is an online screening tool used to determine whether a patient qualifies for free or charitable medical transportation assistance. The screening helps match patients with appropriate travel services depending on medical stability, appointment type, and travel distance. Applicants must typically have a confirmed medical appointment and be able to meet program requirements, including providing medical verification and completing required documentation before assistance is arranged.

Financial Assistance for Veterans

SALUTE, Inc. Financial Assistance Application is an online form that allows eligible veterans and active-duty service members to apply for one-time financial support. Applicants can request assistance for essential expenses such as housing, utilities, transportation, and other basic needs. TSALUTE, Inc. aims to provide timely, short-term support that helps stabilize families and support recovery and transition

Veterans Affairs | Grand Traverse County, MI

Grand Traverse County Veterans Affairs provides support and assistance to veterans and their families in Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties. The office helps individuals understand and access a wide range of federal, state, and local benefits, including healthcare, disability compensation, pensions, education, housing, and employment resources. The department also connects veterans to emergency financial assistance programs and community resources.

Veterans Property Tax Exemption | Grand Traverse County, MI

Veterans Property Tax Exemption (Grand Traverse County) provides information about a Michigan state benefit that allows qualifying disabled veterans—and certain surviving spouses—to be exempt from paying property taxes on their primary residence. The page explains how to apply for the exemption and offers guidance on eligibility criteria.

Local Veterans Organizations | Grand Traverse County, MI

Local Veterans Organizations (Grand Traverse County) is a resource page that connects veterans and their families with local service organizations in the Traverse City area.

Support Services for Veteran Families-NMCAA

Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) – NMCAA is a program offered through Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency that helps veterans and their families who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of losing their housing. The program focuses on quickly connecting participants to stable, permanent housing while also addressing the barriers that may contribute to housing instability.

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