Your Guide to Public Benefits in Michigan
Find, understand, and apply for programs in your state that can help:
- Increase your income,
- Save money on prescription drugs
- Pay doctors’ bills;
- Buy groceries; and
- Cover other basic costs.
This fact sheet describes the programs in your state, helps you decide which are right for you, and tells you how to sign up. Income guidelines, eligibility requirements, and telephone numbers are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information in your ZIP code area log on to www.aarp.org/quicklink.
You can also go to the Benefits QuickLINK website (www.aarp.org/quicklink) to find out if you qualify for the benefits listed below or to print out applications for programs in your state.
Paying for Health Care and Prescription Drugs
Medicare
Benefit: Health insurance that helps pay for preventive care, doctor visits, hospital stays
and prescription drugs.
Who can apply: People who are 65 and older, and younger people with disabilities
or kidney failure.
How to apply: Call the Social Security Administration toll-free at 1-800-772-1213
and tell the operator where you live. You can also log on to www.socialsecurity.gov and select “Questions about Medicare.” For information about the Medicare prescription drug coverage, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or log on to www.medicare.gov.
For additional assistance, contact the Michigan State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), also known as the Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program, toll-free at 1-800-803-7174 or by logging on to www.mmapinc.org.
Medicare Savings Programs
Benefit: Pays for some of the costs of Medicare, including the Part B premium, deductibles, and co-payments. How much you get depends on your income and assets.
Who can apply: People who get Medicare and earn around $1,218 per month for one Your Guide to Public Benefits in Michigan person, or $1,639 per month for a married couple.
How to apply: Call MI Seniors (Michigan Office of Services to the Aging) at 517-373-8230 to find help completing an application. Get an application to print and fill out at www.michigan.gov/dhs and click on “Assistance Programs,” and then click on “Medical Services.” The application is called Assistance Application (HS-1171).
For additional assistance, call the Michigan Department of Community Health at 517-373-3740 or log on to their website at www.michigan.gov/mdch. Or, contact the Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program toll-free at 1-800-803-7174 or by logging on to www.mmapinc.org.
Medicare Rx Extra Help
Benefit: Pays for the monthly fee and deductible for Medicare prescription drug coverage, and lowers prescription drug
co-payments.
Who can apply: People who get Medicare and have combined savings, investments and real estate (other than your home) are
not worth more than $12,510 if you are single, or $25,010 if you are married and living with your spouse and have a limited
income.
How to apply: Call the Social Security Administration toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 and ask for the Medicare Rx Extra Help application. You can also log on to www.socialsecurity.gov and click on the Medicare section.
For additional assistance, call the Michigan Department of Community Health at 517-373-3740 or log on to their website at www.michigan.gov/mdch. Or, contact the Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program toll-free at 1-800-803-7174 or by logging on to www.mmapinc.org.
MiRx Prescription Savings Program
Benefit: A state program that helps eligible residents with no drug coverage save up to 25 percent on their prescription medications from participating pharmacies. There are no fees to participate in the program.
Who can apply: Michigan residents with an annual income not in excess of $31,200 for one person or $42,000 for two people.
How to apply: Contact the Department of Community Health toll-free at 1-866-755-6479 to request an application or log on to www.mihealth.org/mirx/index.html.
Medicaid
Benefit: Provides medical coverage for hospital care, health center and clinical services, doctor care, nurse care, lab and X-ray services and nursing homes.
Who can apply: People who are 65 or older, blind or have disabilities, few resources, or in some cases, high medical bills. To qualify,
you must meet Medicaid income and asset limits. Income limits vary, depending on the size of your family and where you live. Income limits also vary based on the particular Medicaid program for which you qualify, so contact your state Medicaid office
for more information.
How to apply: Contact your county Department of Human Services office, or the Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program toll-free at 1-800-803-7174 or by logging on to www.mmapinc.org.
Help with Your Home
State Property Tax Assistance
Benefit: Michigan has a property tax credit that may help you pay for some of your property taxes.
Who can apply: Michigan homeowners or renters who are older adults, have a disability, are blind or veterans and have a household income not in excess of $82,650.
How to apply: Call the Michigan Department of Treasury at 517-373-3200 or log on to the website at www.michigan.gov/taxes and click on “Property Tax.”
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Programs
Benefit: Michigan has three programs designed to help pay heating and cooling bill and some energy-related home repairs: a Home Heating Credit program, a State Emergency Relief program and a Weatherization Assistance Program.
Who can apply: People with limited income. Eligibility is determined by income, household size and need.
How to apply: For an overview of all three programs, log on to www.michigan.gov and select “Assistance Programs,” “Emergency Services,” and “Heat and Utilities.” For information about the Home Heating Credit program, call the Energy Assistance Hotline toll-free at 1-800-292-5650. For information about the State Emergency Relief Program and the Weatherization Assistance Program, contact the Department of Human Services at 517-373-2035.
Telephone Assistance
Benefit: Helps pay for the cost of basic local telephone services.
Who can apply: Qualified low-income older adults. You are automatically eligible if you are in one of the following programs: Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Housing Assistance/Section 8 Programs, Food Stamps, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Programs, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) General Assistance, and Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
How to apply: Call your local phone company and tell the sales department that you want to apply for Link Up or Lifeline.
Help Buying Nutritious Food
Food Assistance
Benefit: An Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, similar to a debit card, that you can use like cash to pay for food at most grocery stores.
Who can apply: People with limited income and resources, especially people 60 and over.
How to apply: Call the Michigan Department of Human Services toll free at 1-888-678-8914 or contact the Michigan Food Stamp Partnership at 1-800-481-4989. Or, log on to www.foodstamphelp.org.
Cash Assistance
Social Security
Benefit: Monthly checks. How much you get depends on how long you have worked, how much money you earned, where you worked, and your age when you began getting benefits.
Who can apply: Workers who are 62 or older, people with disabilities, or the spouse and children of a deceased or disabled worker who paid into the Social Security program.
How to apply: You can find out if you qualify for Social Security Benefits by using the screening tool on the Social Security website (www.socialsecurity.gov). If you qualify, you can apply for retirement benefits online at www.socialsecurity.gov. You can also make an appointment at your local Social Security Office. To find your local Social Security Office, call 1-800-772-1213 toll free and tell the operator where you live.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Benefit: Monthly checks.
Who can apply: People who are 65 and older, or people who are blind or have disabilities and have very low income and assets.
How to apply: You must make an appointment at your local Social Security office to apply. You can find your local Social Security office by calling 1-800-772-1213 toll free and telling the operator where you live. Or, you can log on to www.ssa.gov/pgm/links_ssi.htm.
Other Information
Eldercare Locator
Connects older Americans and their caregivers with sources of information on senior services. Call 1-800-677-1116 (hours of operation are Mon. – Fri., 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET) or log on to www.eldercare.gov.
Senior Information Hotline
For additional information about other programs and resources for older adults in Michigan, contact the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging at 517-373-8230 or log on to the website at www.michigan.gov/miseniors.
Legal Help
If you need a lawyer but have limited resources, call the Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors toll-free at 1-800-347-5297 or log on to their website at www.legalhotlineonline.org.
You can also go to the Benefits QuickLINK website at www.aarp.org/quicklink.
Benefits Outreach Program
601 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20049
1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277)
Email: benefitsoutreach@aarp.org
The AARP Foundation is AARP’s affiliated charity. Foundation programs provide security, protection and empowerment for older persons in need. Low-income older workers receive the job training and placement they need to re-join the workforce. Free tax preparation is provided for low-and moderate-income individuals, with special attention to those 60 and older. The Foundation’s litigation staff protects the legal rights of older Americans in critical health, long-term care, consumer and employment situations. Additional programs provide information, education and services to ensure that people over 50 lead lives of independence, dignity and purpose. Foundation programs are funded by grants, tax-deductible contributions and AARP.