March Resources Newsletter!

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Happy March! I hope you’ve been able to enjoy some of the more pleasant weather we’ve had recently — time outdoors is essential to our health and well-being.

My office is constantly looking for new opportunities for assistance. If you work with a group that could help us out, reach out to my office and send us the relevant information so we can share it.

If you are in need of assistance and don’t know where to begin, send us an email at MaryCavanagh@house.mi.gov or call us at 517-373-0857. Even if you are not in need of all of the contacts contained in this email, you may know someone who does. Please share this list with your neighbors, friends, family and professional networks.

Stay safe and healthy,

State Representative Mary Cavanagh

House District 10

Rep. Cavanagh’s Office Resources

• I have over 300 hats, gloves and masks that I am eager to pass out. If you know anyone in need or a nonprofit that could benefit from this donation, please reach out to my office.
• Booklets: My office has TONS of booklets with a vast amount of information and resources. Below you’ll find a list of all of the booklets that are available.
  • Veterans – Benefits and Services.
  • A Practical Guide for Tenants and Landlords.
  • Services for Seniors.
  • Crime Victims – Rights Act & Constitutional Amendment.
  • How State & Local Government Operate – Getting to Know Michigan (Coloring Book).
  • Child Safety (Coloring and Activity Book).
  • MI Recycles! (Coloring and Activity Book).
  • A Student’s Guide to the Legislative Process in MI.
  • Ask Yourself – A Domestic & Sexual Violence Prevention & Resource Guide.
  • Portraits of MI – History & Facts on Michigan.
  • 2021 – 2022 Michigan Citizen’s Guide to State Government – 101st Legislature.

Tax Season 

• Tax day is April 18 — please don’t wait to file! 

• Refund status updates are accessible here. The Department of Treasury estimates that Michiganders who e-file will be able to check the status of their refund two weeks after they file on the department’s website. For those who file on paper, they should be able to check refund status online six to eight weeks after filing.

• The IRS offers free tax preparation assistance for people who need help filing, serving people who make $58,000 or less, persons with disabilities and limited English-speaking taxpayers.
• United Way Southeastern Michigan offers free help navigating the filing process, including credits like the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit.

COVID-19 Vaccines, Boosters and Tests

• Free COVID-19 At-home Tests: President Biden announced that families who ordered four free COVID-19 tests through the mail are now able to request four additional tests free of charge. If you did not apply for them already, you are still eligible for these at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests. Submit your order with your residential address here.
• COVID-19 Vaccines: To find a vaccine site near you, visit here or schedule with your local pharmacy.
• Wayne County Health Department is offering COVID-19 vaccines, boosters and testing at the Redford Community Center (12121 Hemingway) through March 31.
  • Testing will be done curbside. People that would like to be tested can pull up in their car by the middle entrance and wait for staff to come out.
  • Vaccines will be held inside the center in the Art room. Enter through the northeast doors and follow the signage.

       Hours 

• Mondays: 1:30-5:30 p.m.
• Tuesdays: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Wednesdays: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
• Thursdays: noon-7 p.m.
• Fridays: 1:30-6:30 p.m.

Auto Insurance Refunds

• Auto insurance companies are required to give eligible customers $400 per-vehicle refunds via check or ACH deposit by May 9. 
• Anyone who had a vehicle, motorcycle or RV that was covered by a policy that meets the minimum insurance requirements to operate on Michigan roads as of 11:59 p.m. on October 31, 2021, is eligible to receive a refund for that vehicle. Insurers are required to issue refunds via check or ACH deposit. Premium discounts, credits toward future or existing account balances, gift cards or other forms of payment are not allowed.
• If you believe you are eligible for a refund but have not yet received it, contact your insurance agent or company. If your auto insurer or agent does not resolve your concern, you should file a complaint with the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS). Contact the DIFS by calling Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (833) 275-3437 or by emailing autoinsurance@michigan.gov.
• For more information, click or tap here.

Support for Businesses

• Growing MI Business Grant Program – Businesses across nine sectors are invited to apply for relief grants of up to $5 million per qualifying business. Recipients must have experienced financial hardships as a result of the pandemic. For eligibility requirements, more information and to apply online, click or tap here. The deadline to apply is March 31. 
• The Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) is now accepting applications for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, a program funded by federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars.
  • This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023.
  • See SBAM’s website for more info.
• Walmart’s Open Call Event: Applications for shelf-ready products are now open through April 8 for Walmart’s largest annual Open Call event. The event will be extended to two days, June 28-29, with participants choosing virtual or in-person pitch meetings with a Walmart or Sam’s Club buyer. Additionally, they are offering mentoring sessions to all applicants registering for the event. Businesses wishing to apply for this year’s Open Call event can apply here.
• MEDC (Michigan Economic Development Corp.) has a comprehensive list of opportunities on its website here.
  • Programs include tax credits to employers who kept their employees on the payroll throughout the pandemic, a program that helps businesses fill vacancies with qualified candidates, grants for businesses rehabilitating blighted or underutilized buildings, and loan forgiveness.

Mental Health Resources

• The Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network has a 24/7 helpline (800) 241-4949. 
• They also offer a wide range of services, including substance abuse prevention, treatment and recovery, guidance for parents with struggling kids, and grief support. Check out all that is available to any Wayne County resident here.
• Growth Works is a nonprofit at work across Wayne County that works with juvenile delinquents and those struggling with substance abuse. It offers peer coaching, family services and much more.

Employment Opportunities

• Learn to Earn: This program is designed to help Detroiters remove barriers stopping them from entering their chosen training or career. Detroiters can earn their diploma or GED while receiving a stipend and explore their options for training or new job opportunities immediately after graduating. Learn more here.
• Detroit at Work is an online program that connects people to jobs in the city of Detroit. Their Skills for Life program includes job training and career coaching. Learn more here.
• The city of Detroit has “Ready to Hire” positions in a variety of fields. A full list is available here.
• Wayne County has dozens of open positions available.

Rental Assistance, Homeowner Help & Property Tax Relief

• Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF) is for homeowners with financial hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It can help pay delinquent mortgage/escrow, condo/homeowners’ fees, property taxes, utilities and internet: (844) 756-4423 or go to their website.
• The city of Detroit Eviction Assistance and Prevention program includes lawyers to be present at your court dates, financial assistance for back paid rent and utility costs, direct payments for landlords whose tenants are behind on rent, and a rapid jobs program for people facing eviction. Learn more here.
• There are also resources from the Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency:

• Detroit, Highland Park, Hamtramck: (866) 313-2520
• Other Wayne County neighborhoods: (734) 284-6999 or their website.

Utility and Water Assistance

• The Water Residential Assistance Program (WRAP) is a two-year program that provides funding to eligible, low-income homeowners to assist with water bills, water conservation and self-sufficiency initiatives. Apply today here.
• The state of Michigan offers several programs for low-income residents who need assistance paying for energy and weatherization efforts. Go to this website for information on the Home Heating Credit, State Emergency Relief and the Weatherization Assistance Program.

Food and Clothing 

• Eagles Helping Hands is a food rescue in Redford that distributes healthy foods, with no proof of income or residence required. Because of the donation-nature of their supply, it’s easiest to monitor when there is a distribution occurring on their Facebook Page.
• Forgotten Harvest also offers food assistance across Southeast Michigan and posts distribution times and locations on their website each week.
• Redford Interfaith Relief offers food assistance and a closet/clothing program that requires a scheduled drive-up appointment.
• Jackets for Jobs is a nonprofit with two locations in Detroit that provides those seeking employment with professional attire and job training!

That’s it for our March resource newsletter! As always, if you need assistance with anything, don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at (517) 373-0857 or MaryCavanagh@house.mi.gov. Stay safe!