See The Benefits You and Your Family Might Qualify For

This short information video goes thru using the Michigan Assistance and Referral Service or MARS.

www.michigan.gov/mars

Script:

Hello, today we're going to do a quick overview of the Michigan Assistance and Referral Service or MARS.
This online tool can help you find benefits programs that help your family with medical, nutritional, food, child care or other expenses.
If you have questions while filing out the form just click the help icon located at the top, or the help icon next to the field you are working in.

MARS can only tell a household what help it might receive, you still need to submit an application for services to determine actual eligibility.
The questionnaire begins by asking basic questions, like if you're filling this out for yourself or someone else, where you live including your zip code and how many people live in your home.

Next, the questionnaire asks for the names, ages, gender and some other basic information about your household including if any of the applicants are married and parentage questions.
Each person's basic medical situation is covered in Step 3 including if they are blind, disabled or currently receiving Medicaid.

In Step 4 you'll be asked to enter the amount of gross monthly income for each person listed. Gross income is your income before taxes are taken out.
Finally you'll need to enter monthly expense information including your rent or mortgage, heat, electricity, phone, child care and other household expenses.
The MARS online calculator now estimates the benefits you and your household may qualify to receive. This estimate is a result of the information you entered on previous screens, and this is only an estimate.
You must complete an application and turn it into the State Department listed for a complete determination of your eligibility. You will be required to supply proof of income, assets and other information to begin receiving these benefits.

Also listed on the results page are links to other Departments and resources, and you may be able to apply online for some of the help you qualify for.
MARS is available in both English and Spanish and you can go back and change or modify your responses to see how they impact the results.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• DHS
• MDHS
• Michigan. MARS