Michigan State Emergency Relief (SER) Program Structure, Benefits, and Eligibility

Category: Government Benefits and Programs

State Emergency Relief (SER), established by the Social Welfare Act of 1939 and the Michigan Constitution (FIA Appropriations 1998, PA 294), is a federal-state funded crisis intervention program designed to provide assistance to low-income individuals and families who are facing financial emergencies and conditions of extreme hardship.

Assistance is provided by making limited payments to vendors of goods and services to resolve unexpected emergencies for utilities, rent, property taxes and insurance, mortgage, burials, energy and non-energy-related home repairs, furniture and appliances, and other household needs.

State Emergency Relief is not an option for long-term, non-emergency needs but will help to manage a crisis that poses a threat to health and safety.

​​Benefits are payable for eligible applicants in five (5) broad areas:

• Heat and Utilities
• Home Repairs
• Relocation Assistance
• Home Ownership Services
• Burial

Eligibility Requirements for State Emergency Relief (SER)
The State of Michigan provides this temporary assistance through a network of contracts with local community organizations including the Salvation Army and Community Action Agencies (CAA).  Applicants Do Not need to be participants or recipients of other MDHHS benefits to be approved for SER emergency assistance.

Approval for service and benefits must meet three (3) conditions:

• The emergency must threaten health and safety.
• The emergency must not have been caused by the individual or family seeking assistance.
• The emergency must be resolved by the assistance payment and must be one that is not likely to arise again.

​
Scenarios covered under the State Emergency Relief (SER) program:

• Homeless prevention
• Provide shelter for homeless persons
• Repair unsafe conditions and restore essential services (i.e. utilities)
• Provide food for individuals and families who do not qualify for the Food Assistance Program (FAP).
• Prevent utility shut-offs such as water and cooking gas or restore services after interruption to protect health and safety.
• Provide assistance payments for burial and cremation when the deceased estate and family contributions will not cover the expense.
• Emergency shelter provisions for the homeless is contracted through the Salvation Army.  For more information call 1(800)274-3583.

Client-Caused Emergencies
State Emergency Relief (SER) funds will not be issued unless the household has "good cause" for not making the payments.  "Good cause" means household income was below a specified amount, or if available monies in the household were not used to make payments during the time shelter or utility costs were unpaid and led to the emergency.  See the chart below of Household Income Limits for Energy and Non-Related Energy Assistance.

Burial Assistance
State Emergency Relief (SER) will make assistance payments toward a burial or cremation when the deceased person's estate and contributions are not sufficient.  A relative or representative with legal rights to arrange the burial must apply for assistance within ten (10) days of the burial or cremation.  The family member or representative arranging the burial should inform the funeral home that public assistance will be requested.  They may be able to assist with the application process.

Relocation Assistance
State Emergency Relief (SER) assistance may be approved to:

• Prevent eviction
• Set up residence for a homeless household
• Establish a suitable home for children
• Establish a suitable family home due to domestic violence or a natural disaster

Rent Assistance and Foreclosure Prevention
State Emergency Relief (SER) assistance payments are available to prevent the loss of a home due to foreclosure, a land contract forfeiture, the loss of a mobile home, and the non-payment of rent.  Property taxes may be paid to stop a tax sale when a foreclosure hearing has been scheduled.

Home Repairs
State Emergency Relief (SER) funds are available for home repairs to correct unsafe conditions or to restore essential services such as water, water disposal, heat, or electricity.  Eligible home repairs may include but are not limited to: replacement of a non-functioning furnace, hot water heaters, or septic systems.

Qualifying households are eligible for payment toward service repairs under the following conditions:

• To prevent or eliminate a direct threat to health and safety.
• To comply with a requirement by law or mobile home park regulation.
• To restore the home to a safe, livable condition.

A household may be approved for home repair services under the following conditions:

• A household member must be the owner or purchaser of the home, or hold a life estate or life lease. with responsibility for home repairs.
• The home must be the household's permanent residence (a homestead).
• The home must not be for sale or in jeopardy of loss due to a mortgage or property tax arrearage unless a workable payment plan exists.
• The ongoing cost of maintaining the home is affordable, not to exceed 75% of the household's net income.

Home improvements and non-essential repairs do not qualify for the SER benefit.

Maximum Benefit Allowances for Home Repairs
Energy-Related Furnace Repairs:

• Lifetime maximum of $4,000 per family group.
• Approved energy-related repairs since 1/1/1878 count towards this maximum.

Non-Energy Related Repairs

• Lifetime maximum of $1500 per family group.
• Lifetime maximum applies to all home repairs except furnace repair or replacement, including hot water heaters and septic systems for client-owned housing.
• Approved non-energy related repairs since 12/1/1991 count towards this maximum.

Utility Assistance
State Emergency Relief (SER) will make a one-time annual (once per year) payment to prevent shut-offs, or restore heat, electric, or water service.

Migrant Hospitalization
Migrant families with children may have the cost of hospitalization covered under State Emergency Relief (SER), within certain limits, for up to thirty (30) days in a one-year period.
​
Financial Eligibility
State Emergency Relief (SER) is a means-tested program.  That is, household size, income, and countable assets valued over $50 are assessed to determine eligibility for benefits.  It also means that the income-test may affect the benefit amount and that a copayment may be required towards the benefit amount paid.  Assets such as a homestead (a home you own and occupy), one (1) vehicle, personal and household goods are excluded.  Applicants requesting burial assistance are exempt from the asset-test.

Income
It should be noted that all household income for all household members expected to be received within the thirty (30) day period from the SER application is used to determine eligibility.

Follow the income limit charts below for energy and non-energy assistance.  The income limit is based on the number of people in the household.  Applicants will be charged a copayment (out-of-pocket expense) for any income above the amount listed to help pay for the emergency need.  Any required copayment must be paid within the thirty (30) day approval period.

Assets
A household with more than $50 in cash assets must pay the amount over $50 toward the emergency.  The payment must be made within the thirty (30) day approval period.

Cash assets include:

• Cash-in-hand
• Checking or savings accounts
• Stocks and bonds
• Similar resources that can easily be converted to cash

The value of non-cash assets (e.g. a boat or second vehicle) cannot exceed the following limits:

• $1750  for a single-person household
• $3000 for two or more household members
• Some SER groups may be eligible regardless of non-cash assets​

​SER Income Limits for Energy Assistance

Household Size	Monthly Income Limit
One	$1397
Two	$1892
Three	$2387
Four	$2882
Five	$3377
Six	$3872
More than six people	For each additional family member, add $495 per month

Households with monthly incomes above the amounts listed are not eligible for energy-related assistance.

​SER Income Limits for Non-Energy Related Assistance

Household Size	Monthly Income Limit	Non-Cash Asset Limit
One	$445	$1750
Two	$500	$3000
Three	$625	$3000
Four	$755	$3000
Five	$885	$3000
Six	$1015	$3000

Income that exceeds the above limits will be assessed as a copayment towards eligible benefits.

Source: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)

​How to Apply for State Emergency Relief (SER)
The best way to apply for State Emergency Relief (SER) funds is to print the online application, fill it out completely, attach any supporting documents, and turn it in to a local Department of Human Services (DHS) office.  By hand-delivering the application there is an opportunity to explain your situation to a DHS benefits specialist.  Benefits are approved at the discretion of the DHS Benefits Specialist.  A link is provided below to the SER application.  You can also apply for benefits online at the MI Bridges website or request that the application be mailed to you.  You will receive a response within ten (10) days.

Applicants must complete the DHS-1514 (Application for State Emergency Relief) form.  Applicants may be required to apply for other qualifying benefits by completing the following forms to be placed on file:

• DHS-1171 Assistance Application Booklet
• DHS-4574 Asset and Declaration Form
• DHS-1010 Redetermination Form

Applications must provide proof of the immediate need for utility bill payment assistance (e.g. past due or shut-off notice, a court documented eviction notice) or verified need for deliverable fuel (e.g. fuel oil), and energy-related home repairs.

Applicants are not required to complete a new application for additional services requested within the thirty (30) day approval period of the original application.

Applicants have the right to request a hearing for any action, failure to act,, or undue delay in application processing by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

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​Links:
MDHHS Asset Limit Changes 2019
www.michigan.gov/documents/mdhhs/Asset_tests_QandA_668891_7.pdf
MDHHS Assistance Programs
www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-71547---,00.html
Locate a DHS office in your county/district
https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-73970_5461---,00.html
State of Michigan Emergency Relief: Home, Utilities, and Burial
https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-71547_5531---,00.html
State Emergency Relief Income Requirements
https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-71547_5531-15410--,00.html
State Emergency Relief Q&A Grid
mfia.state.mi.us/SI-Screens/nes_SG/WebHelp/SER_Answer_Grid.pdf
State Emergency Relief Home Repairs
www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-71547_5531_62129---,00.html