Michigan paid $41M less to poor Michiganders in 2025 than 2024 via emergency relief fund

The state of Michigan paid $41 million less in emergency relief funds to poor residents in fiscal year 2025 than in 2024, according to documents obtained through a records request.

When poor Michiganders hit tough times, they can ask the state for cash to cover five types of needs. The State Emergency Relief Program provides help to individuals and families facing conditions of extreme hardship or emergencies that threaten health and safety. The program uses direct financial assistance and contracts with nonprofit organizations such as the Salvation Army and local community action organizations to help low-income households meet emergency needs.

Sometimes, the government pays people who have little to no assets and need heat and utility services, home repairs, relocation assistance, home-ownership services, and burial of loved ones.

Michigan had 197,554 cases of state emergency relief in fiscal year 2024, when it paid $126 million in benefits.

The next fiscal year, the state had 189,209 cases and paid out $85 million.

The program is primarily designed to support low-income households that are normally able to meet their needs but occasionally need help in emergency situations. It is not an appropriate solution to ongoing or chronic financial difficulties, the state says.

The state might help pay for items such as security deposits or moving expenses. People who face one of the following circumstances, either as individuals or in a household, may be eligible for relocation assistance:

• Are homeless, living in a shelter, a car, or on the street.

• Are living temporarily with other persons following a fire or natural disaster that occurred not more than 60 days before the date the household or individual files an application for emergency relief.

• Are living with someone else to escape domestic violence.

• Received a court summons or judgment that will result in the household or individual becoming homeless.

• Received final written notice to vacate condemned housing from a local public agency authorized to issue such an order.