Assistance Programs/Services (Federal, State & Local - Human Service Programs)

This page will contain basic information and links to a variety of resources &/or assistance programs designed to assist low-income families, senior citizens or disabled persons, victims of domestic violence or any other services we can find information on to help people live healthly, safe and productive lives.  This is by no means a list of every program available, however Laketon Township wishes to pass along any information it has become aware of that may help our residents.  More information will be added as it becomes available.  Please check back often.

Click on each program name and be taken directly to their website for more detailed information on each program.  

Federal Programs

• Disability.gov - find information on federal and state disability programs and services.  Just click the link that follows to be taken to their website.  https://www.disability.gov/
• USDA - Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) - A program to distribute food and improve the health of low-income pregnant & breast feeding women, new mothers (up to 1 year postpartum), infants, children up to age six and elderly people at least 60 years of age that meet income/eligiblity guidelines. 
• USDA - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - A program to assist low income people and families buy the food they need for good health.  This is a federally funded program that is distributed by each state. 
• USDA - The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) - Another federally funded program that helps supplement the diets of low-income needy persons, including elderly people, by providing them with emergency food and nutrition assistance. 
• CDC - Vaccines for Children Program (VFC) - A federally funded program that provides vaccines at no cost to children who might not otherwise be vaccinated because of inability to pay.
• CDC - National Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) - A program to provide access to breast & cervical cancer screenings to underserved women in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, five U.S. territories and 12 tribes.

State Programs/Agencies

• Dept. of Human Services (DHS) - Assistance Programs - A variety of programs, such as cash assistance (FIP), food assistance (food stamps/bridge card), State Disabiltiy Assistance (SDA), State Emergency Relief (SER), Adult Medical Program (AMP), Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Medical Assistance (MA/Medicaid) etc. - Informational flyers are also available at the Laketon Township Hall.

• Michigan Department of Civil Rights  - This department has several commissions within:  Civil Rights Commission 313-456-3843, Michigan Women's Commission 313-456-4702, Commission on Disability Concerns 517-335-6004.  There are local office in Grand Rapids in the State Office Building 616-356-0380 or check them out online at www.michigan/gov/mdcr

• Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) - This deparment contains the following commissions:  Michigan Rehabilitation Services 517-373-3390, Michigan Commission for the Blind 517-373-5614, Michigan Public Service Commission 517-241-6180 or visit them online at www.michigan.gov/lara

•  Domestic Violence Services - Get help from one of the 46 agencies funded by DHS's Michigan Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Board.  You can also call the National Domestic Violence hotline 1-800-799-7233.

• MIChild - MIChild is a health insurance program for uninsured children of Michigan's working families.

• Michigan Department of Community Health - a variety of health care programs for qualifying children and individuals

• Early On Michigan - a program for families who have a child (birth to age 3) with a disability, developmental delay or a related medical condition.  This program can assist with services such as assessments, audiology, diagnostic medical services, family skills training, home visits, nursing services, vision services, family counseling, service coordination, pathology, nutritional counseling, occupational therapy, special equipment, etc.  Click the link or call 1-800-EARLYON (327-5966)

• Summer Food Service Program - A program created to ensure that the children in lower-income areas could continue to receive nutritious meals during long school vacations, when they do not have access to the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs.

• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) - A program administered by the State of Michigan through federal aid to assist eligible applicants with heating & cooling costs.

• Deferment of Special Assessment - A program to assist/defer special assessments for senior citizens or totally & permanently disabled persons that meet income/eligibility requirements.  Basic information is available in printed form at the Laketon Township Hall.

• Deferment of Summer Property Taxes - A program to allow eligible applicants to defer payment of summer property taxes until the winter property tax due date without interest or penalty.  Applications for summer tax deferment can be obtained at the Laketon Township Hall and must be filed before the summer tax due date (Sept. 14) each year.

• Propert Tax relief during Active Military Service  - A program to assist those on active duty military service from having homes seized &/or sold if taxes become delinquent during a tour of duty.  There are exceptions. 

• Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs - Advocates and assists currently active military, veterans and their families.  Phone:  517-481-8000 Online at www.michigan.gov/dmva

• Energy Payment Assistance - There are various programs to assist with energy bill payments for low-income, senior citizens and others.  Click on this link to go to the Consumer's Energy Website with further links to each different program.

• Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) - a federally funded, low-income residential energy conservation program. The program provides free home energy conservation services to low-income Michigan homeowners and renters. These services reduce energy use and lower utility bills, thus creating more self-sufficient households.

• Michigan Home Heating Credit - The Home Heating Credit (HHC) is designed to assist low income families living in Michigan with the cost of heating their homes. The Michigan Department of Treasury processes the Home Heating Credit claim form (typically done when you do your annual income tax filing - you can file for the credit even if you are not required to file State of Michigan Income Taxes) and issues payments.

• State Emergency Relief - The State Emergency Relief (SER) Program provides immediate help to individuals and families facing conditions of extreme hardship or for emergencies that threaten health and safety. Through a combination of direct financial assistance and contracts with a network of non-profit organizations such as the Salvation Army and local Community Action Organizations, SER helps low-income households meet emergency needs such as: heat & utilities, home repairs, relocation assistance, home ownership services, burial etc

• Medicaid & other Michigan Health Care Programs - programs for low income families, pregnant women, persons under age 21, blind, disabled & people over age 65

• Teen Dating Violence - If you are a victim or have a friend that is a victim of teen dating violence (assault, date rape, stalking, etc) find help here.

• Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) - Free counseling services for Medicare &/or Medicaid beneficiaries, their families &/or caregivers.  MMAP counselors are trained in Medicare/Medicaid law and regulations, health insurance counseling and relevant insurance products. Phone:  1-800-803-7174  or www.mmapinc.org

County/Local Programs

• Muskegon Oceana Community Action Partnership (MOCAP) - a variety of human services, from rental assistance, mortgage assistance, commodities, senior programs, homebuyers education, foreclosure prevention etc.
• Pay it Forward - veterinary services for low-income pet owners
• Call 2 1 1 -  CALL 2-1-1 is a free community service you can use to get information about social, health, and government resources 24 hours a day, every day. Simply dial 2-1-1 or search our online directory to find the resources you need.

OTHER

• You may also wish to visit www.govbenefits.gov for a more comprehensive list of government programs/benefits and links to their websites.