Help with Money Problems

By Sue Probert

Community Resource Specialist

Money troubles represent the second largest call request the CIL gets.  Whether disability sneaks up on you slowly, over a course of time, or whether it clobbers you suddenly from behind, there’s no denying that it’s going to hit your pocketbook.  Folks typically exhaust every resource they have before they turn to outside agencies for help.  They’ll exhaust all of their savings, run credit cards to the max, doing whatever it takes to keep things going….  Until the end – because of course, there is an end.  The ‘end’ means NO MONEY!

In fantasy land, people have a plan – but most of us don’t live there. We live here, in the Land of Reality… and if not, then in the Land of Denial.  Hey – it’s OK.  It’s normal! As common as dandelions on the lawn.  Still, when you reach ‘the end,’ it can be a scary place.  You will need help.

Help is available… for some people, some of the time.  It isn’t easy to get -  so I’m here to tell you what I know.   There are steps and criterion to be met.  Here’s what I know…

1. Before any non-profits help, you must be able to prove that, after you have received help, you can keep things going on your own.  In other words, helping agencies will look at what they call sustainability. They want to know that you will be able to meet his daily living expenses.  We can help you do a budget if you need help with this item.  If expenses exceed income, the state and non-profit agencies will not help.  Painful as it is, they will allow eviction or foreclosure (even if you have a disability, even if you have children). Housing expenditures (rent / mortgage) aren’t supposed to exceed more than one-third of a person’s income.  However, if you can show that you have a realistic plan of action to adjust your expenses (a move into affordable housing, getting a housemate) or income that’s pending (a job or disability benefits pending), then I would suggest moving on to the next step.
2. Apply for State Emergency Relief (SER) with the Department of Health & Human Services (formerly known as the Family Independence Agency or “FIA”).  Forms can be obtained at their offices at 222 Towner in Ypsilanti (south of Michigan Avenue, just off of Prospect Road), or online ( click here to go to their website), or at the Ann Arbor CIL office.   I suggest you either mail the form via certified mail, or drop it off.  Then, it is very important that you FOLLOW up.  Case loads at DHS are enormous right now, and paperwork is sometimes misplaced or even lost. Be a polite, persistent pest.
3. Once you’ve applied for State Emergency Relief, look for help with the following agencies:

Friends in Deed

Friends In Deed is an inter-faith volunteer organization that provides for needs of Washtenaw County residents that are not being met by other human service agencies. They provide information, referral, and screening services to congregations and agencies as well as resources to people in need.  Contact their help line Help Line Monday-Friday from 9:30 am ‘till 12 noon at (734) 484-4357.  Their furniture line is available Tuesday-Friday from 9:30 am ‘till 12noon at (734) 484-7607.  You can visit their website by clicking here.

Salvation Army

Provides a variety of social services for low-income families and individuals.  Services include counseling, youth and senior programming, substance abuse programming and cash assistance.  In order to apply for assistance, you must first:

1. Have applied to the DHS’s State Emergency Relief fund
2. Have a decision notice / rejection from the above
3. Fill out an application at the Salvation Army
4. Show them picture ID
5. Show them the Social Security Card for each adult in house

You can reach them by telephone at (734) 668-8353, or visit their website by clicking here.

S.O.S.

SOS Community Services includes several programs: SOS Crisis Center, Homeless Family Services and the Family Support Network. The SOS Crisis Center houses a 24-hour Crisis line, walk-in crisis counseling, an Emergency Food Pantry, Housing Crisis Line and walk-in services and help with financial and other basic needs. Homeless Family Services includes Prospect Place Family Shelter, Transitional Housing, Employability Support and follow up support for recently homeless families. Nearest Bus Stop: AATA #5 to Ypsilanti. You can reach them by telephone at (734) 484-4300, or visit their website by clicking here.

Washtenaw County Employment Training & Community Services (ETCS)

Provides weatherization, small home repairs, and low-cost loans for repair.  The also are able to provide some emergency utilities assistance, rent assistance to prevent eviction, tax foreclosure prevention & emergency food vouchers.  Phone: (734) 544-2948 or (734) 484-6610.

Washtenaw County Treasurer’s Office

If you are behind with taxes for your home, call here.  The county doesn’t want your home!  They want you there, paying taxes, and they can help you get over this financial crisis.  They have a social worker that works out of their office – Mr. Mooney.  He knows a lot about the foreclosure process and programs that might be able to buy your dad time while he regroups.  You can reach him at (734) 222-6625.

More Resources

For a list of additional agencies, organizations, and people that may be able to help, click here.

More Info

There are a few other pots out there for specific groups in specific situations.  Contact me for more ideas and information.  I’ll do whatever I can to help – including telling you if there isn’t any help for your situation (at least you won’t have to be on the merry go round anymore).  Whether anybody helps you out or not, whether you talk to me or not, you WILL get out of this.  Really.  You will.  It’ll be a different life on the other side (the side with a disability), but it’s a good life, full of meaning & purpose.  Give us a call and we’ll tell you all about it….

Sue Probert