Public Benefit Programs in Ingham, Eaton & Clinton Counties
Assurance Wireless
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Services: Free phone with 250 free voice minutes for those who qualify. There is no annual contract and services include: nationwide Sprint Network coverage, a voicemail account, call waiting, 911 access and caller ID. Keep your current home or cell phone number when you switch to Assurance Wireless.
Eligibility: Varies by state. May qualify based on participation in the following programs: Medicaid, Food Stamps, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Federal Public Assistance or Section 8, Low Income Home Energy Assistance or based on household income.
Cost: None for the first 250 minutes. Add $5 per month to get 500 total voice minutes or $20 to increase to 1000 total voice minutes plus 1000 texts.
Clinton County Department of Human Services
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Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
Services: Handles applications and assistance in Medicaid, food stamps, emergency assistance, adult services (Adult Foster Care homes, protective services, home services, etc.). Volunteers and workers may be available for filling out applications for the homebound older adults. Adult protective services available to adult persons suffering from neglect, abuse and exploitation.
Eligibility: Depends on the program. Must be a resident of Clinton County.
Eaton County Department of Human Services
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Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
Services: Handles applications and assistance in Medicaid, food stamps, Adult Home Help, emergency assistance, adult services (Adult Foster Care Homes, housing, protective services, home services, etc.) Volunteers may be available for filling out applications for homebound older adults. Adult Protective Services are available to persons suffering from abuse, neglect or exploitation. Uses the least restrictive procedures to provide these services including social and legal intervention.
Eligibility: Income and asset guidelines. Age 65 or disabled. Must be resident of Eaton County.
Eaton County Veterans Service Office
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Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
Services: Advocate for veterans and/or their families for the benefits they have a right to receive. Benefits may include Federal or State benefits. Those can include compensation claims, pension, death and indemnity compensation headstone/marker, G.I. Bill education benefits, etc.
Ingham County Department of Human Services
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Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call in hours 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Adult Protective Services available 24 hours.
Services: Offers a variety of services for low-income individuals. Handles applications and assistance for Medicaid, food stamps, State Emergency Relief (SER), Family Independence Program (FIP), State Disability Assistance (SDA), Employment Support services, Child Day Care and Welfare services and adult services (home help services, protective services, adult foster care, etc.). Volunteers may be available for filling out applications. Adult Protective Services also handles calls (can be anonymous) regarding abuse, neglect or exploitation of vulnerable adults. The agency investigates these situations and takes necessary action if needed, utilizing the least restrictive procedures to provide these services including social and legal intervention.
Eligibility: Depends on the program. Must be a resident of Ingham County.
Ingham/Clinton County Department of Veteran’s Affairs
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Hours: 8:00 to 11:45 a.m. and 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. 8:00 to 11:45 a.m. and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Friday
Services: Assists eligible veterans and survivors to apply for Federal, State and County benefits such as veteran’s pension, widow’s pension, burial benefits arrangement for payment by the VA on emergency admissions to local hospitals. A van is available for transportation and prescription refill pick-ups at the Ann Arbor VA hospital. Van runs are Monday through Thursday only, reservations suggested. You can also visit www.va.gov/explore to learn about the different types of benefits, apply for benefits or to track the status of a claim.
Eligibility: Contact office for eligibility and to make an appointment.
Cost: No charge.
Services: AT&T offers ‘Lifeline’ a government assistance program that makes monthly basic telephone service more affordable for qualified customers. Save up to $144 per year and receive a discount on new phone installations, transfers or wireless service. Link Up – Offers a discount on the cost of initiating the primary telephone service including activation of a wireless phone that serves as the primary residential telephone. Dial O Program – Operator assistance exemption allows sight impaired customers to use directory assistance for local numbers free with physician’s documentation.
Eligibility: Household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. One phone line only based at your principal residence and billed to your home. Link Up benefits allowed only once at the same address. Must renew annually.
Cost: None to apply.
Michigan Veterans Trust Fund
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Hours: 8:00 to 11:45 a.m. and 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. 8:00 to 11:45 a.m. and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Friday
Services: “NEED” is a program that provides financial assistance to war time veterans and dependents that are in need or on an emergency basis. This assistance is not designed to relieve and individual of obligations that he or she could and should meet through their own efforts. Call for more information and to make an appointment.
Ingham County Committee – Authorized Agent, Pamela Frame (517) 887-4331
5303 S. Cedar Street, Lansing, MI 48911
8:00 to 11:45 a.m. and 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
Clinton County Committee – Applications taken by Ingham County
Eaton County Committee – Authorized Agent, Gary Goff (517) 543-5616
Court House, Charlotte, MI 48813
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mondays
Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical)
Federal medical coverage for persons 65 years and older and for those with permanent disabilities.
Medicare Rights Center: www.medicarerights.org– 1-800-333-4114
Restricted to Railroad Retirees only. Call for more information.
Safelink Wireless
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Services: Offers the Lifeline Program to low-income subscribers ensuring telephone service is available
Social Security Administration
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Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Wednesdays to the public. Best time to visit – anytime after the 1st week of the month on days other than Mondays. Toll free number 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Best time to telephone – after 9:00 a.m. or later in the afternoons.
Services: Provides information and assistance in making application for Social Security Retirement, Survivors and Disability benefits, Medicare and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Pamphlets and films on Social Security, Medicare and SSI are available. Persons may also apply for food stamps at the office. Speakers are available to talk to groups and explain the various Social Security benefits, how to apply, who is eligible, etc. Call for more information.
Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
Services: Discount for individuals with low incomes so they can have a phone installed at a lower cost and/or receive $10.20 off basic phone service. Discount will be effective within 30 days after eligibility is determined.