State Emergency Relief Program (SER)

What is SER? 

The State Emergency Relief Program (SER) provides help to people who need money quickly for an emergency. Some examples are to prevent an eviction, stop a utility shut off, or pay for a burial. Other types of emergencies that SER may cover include home repairs, relocation, and homeownership services.

SER has an income test and an asset test. The income test may require you to pay a co-payment. A co-payment is an amount you must pay before you are eligible to receive SER money. Earned and unearned income will be counted. The income test may also have a cap on how much money you are eligible to receive.

Certain assets will also be counted to determine if you qualify for SER. The current limit for non-cash and cash assets is $15,000. Some assets, such as your home, one car, personal and household goods, will not count towards the asset $15,000 limit. Examples of Non-cash assets include land contracts, real property that is not your main home, additional cars, boats, and other types of property.

Applying for SER

To apply for SER, submit an application to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The application process takes around 10 days to complete. The preferred way to apply is online through the MDHHS website, MI Bridges. However, if you need immediate help you can also apply in person at your local MDHHS office. Your local MDHHS office will give you an application form, but it may be easier to print the form and fill it out completely before going to MDHHS. Explain your emergency to your MDHHS specialist. The MDHHS specialist is the only person who can determine whether you are eligible for SER.

When you apply, you will be asked to prove important parts of your application. This means you may have to show documents like birth certificates, social security cards, state ID cards, driver licenses, or passports. You may also need to take documents that show your income and expenses, like bank statements and proof of rent (such as a lease). These expense documents must be less than 30 days old. You will typically have 10 days to provide these documents to MDHHS.

A MDHHS specialist may contact you and set up a interview to go over your SER application. You should bring your important documents to this interview with you, if it is in person. The interview is also an opportunity to learn about your rights. Be sure to ask the MDHHS specialist any questions you have about the application process or your public benefits.

Appealing a MDHHS Decision

If you don’t agree with a decision MDHHS makes about your SER application, you have a right to request a hearing. You can also request a hearing if MDHHS does not make a decision within 10 days of your application date. You can use the Do-It-Yourself MDHHS Hearing Request tool to complete your request. Make a copy of the form to keep for your records.

You can mail, fax, or drop off your hearing request in person. If you choose to mail your request, you may want to send it by certified mail. Be sure to direct it to the Hearing Coordinator, not the MDHHS specialist. If you drop off your request, sign the logbook in the office lobby (if available). If you have a phone, take a picture of your signature in the logbook for your records. You could also ask the person who takes the request to stamp your copy as proof of when you dropped it off.

You must request a hearing and return it to MDHHS within 90 days following the date of your SER application.

If you have a question about whether or not you are eligible for SER, or if you feel you have been wrongly denied or aren't getting the right amount, you may be able to get help from the Counsel and Advocacy Law Line. This is a free legal aid hotline. To find out if they can help you, apply online or call 1-888-783-8190 Monday - Thursday, 9am - 5pm, or Friday, 9am - 1pm. You may also use the Guide to Legal Help to find a legal services office near you.