WelcomeToday’s Presenter:

Candice L. BakerCommunity Resource Navigator

A Win-Win Endeavor

Consumer Empowerment with Easier Access to Information

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Department of Human Services (DHS) Congestion Reduction

MiBridges Quick Facts 24-hour secure internet portal to DHS benefit

applications – www.mibridges.michigan.gov

Developed and maintained by the Michigan Department of Human Services (MDHS).

Directly linked to MDHS internal Bridges system for application processing.

Allows households to create an account on-line, which enables people to apply for benefits, check case status, and recertify.

Michigan’s Economic Zeitgeist

Courtesy

of

Michigan hit tremendously hard by economic down turn

Unprecedented numbers of households qualify for public assistance

Nonprofits struggle to meet the needs of low income families

Estimated $930,000,000 in public work supports went unclaimed in Michigan annually (See Above)

Roads Blocks of ApplyingLack of knowledge

Welfare stigma

Many stops (i.e. paper work—red tape)

Under-employed (believed not eligible)

Denied before

Lack of transportation resources

Distrust of government

Office wait is frustrating & time consuming

Benefits of Applying On-line

Reduce number of office visits and

phone calls to DHS by recipients.

Provide easier benefit maintenance

through uploading of documentation.

Allow DHS recipients to get answers to

commonly asked questions themselves

through the Internet and telephone.

Benefits Continued . . .

Courtesy of MDHS

Application

The following examples are

of what to expect when

applying for benefits through

the MiBridges portal.

To Begin My MiBridges

Courtesy of MDHS

Once Enrolled

The following examples

are what to expect once

enrolled for benefits in

MiBridges.

View Enrolled Programs Status

Courtesy of MDHS

Control of Information Access

Courtesy of MDHS

View Correspondence Electronically

Courtesy of MDHS

Goodbye Snail mail!

Courtesy of

MDHS

Benefit Info. & Current Balance Link

Courtesy of

MDHS

MiBridges—Bumps in the Road

Unknown to the public

Computer access barriers

Limited reading or computer literacy

Only applied for one benefit (i.e., Food

Stamps)

MiBridges Goals Recap Anytime & anywhere access to programs & case

status via MiBridges technology

Reduce the number of local offices visits and phone calls to DHS.

Ease time consuming congestion at DHS

Answers to commonly asked questions are found independently via Internet or phone.

Empowerment is gained when information about benefits are easily accessed

Thank You!

www.michigan.gov/mibridges

Or

1-888-MIBRIDGES

1-888-642-7434For Information

Questions/Answers

Remember to encourage community members

to access resources through MiBridges by: