Mortgages
Most mortgage lenders have indicated they are willing to work with distressed borrowers, including potentially suspending or reducing payments. Contact your mortgage lender directly for their specific program details.
Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac Mortgages
If you hold a mortgage backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, there is help. The mortgage buyers have suspended all foreclosures and evictions. They’ve also expanded their forbearance program. Additionally, the federal government has also halted foreclosures and evictions for mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration.
To see if your mortgage is held by Fannie Mae: https://www.knowyouroptions.com/loanlookup
Assistance for Fannie Mae-held mortgages: https://www.knowyouroptions.com/covid19assistance
To see if your mortgage is held by Freddie Mac: https://ww3.freddiemac.com/loanlookup/
Assistance for Freddie Mac-held mortgages: https://myhome.freddiemac.com/own/getting-help-disaster.html
COVID Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA)
MSHDA has federal funds available to help tenants facing pandemic-related hardships avoid eviction while also ensuring landlords can recoup owed rent through the COVID Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) program. MSHDA administers CERA through its statewide network of local nonprofit agencies. We encourage everyone who is eligible to apply today and take advantage of a program that can help restore housing stability.
https://www.michigan.gov/mshda/0,4641,7-141-5555-533463–,00.html
Credit Cards
Most credit lenders have indicated they are willing to work with distressed borrowers. Contact your credit card company directly for their specific program details.
Experian
Experian has compiled a list of financial and non-financial institutions’ websites where you can find more information on relief measures. This page will be updated as more resources become available. Visit https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/covid-19-resource/ for more information.
Ford Motor Company
Ford’s Built to Lend a Hand initiative allows existing U.S. customers affected by coronavirus to call Ford Credit and discuss options if they are having payment difficulty. The website for the Ford Credit program is http://www.fordcreditsupport.com/ or customers can call a special hotline at 1-800-723-4016.
Student Loans
To provide relief to student loan borrowers during the COVID-19 national emergency, federal student loan borrowers are automatically being placed in an administrative forbearance, which allows you to temporarily stop making your monthly loan payment. This suspension of payments will last until Sept. 30, 2020, but you can still make payments if you choose. Visit https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/coronavirus for more information.
Comcast and Charter Communications
Comcast and Charter Communications will offer free internet access to low-income families. Internet and cable will not be suspended. Comcast has announced that their Internet Essentials program will increase speeds for all customers. New customers will also receive two months of free service. Visit https://corporate.comcast.com/covid-19 for more information on Comcast’s programs.
Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy is ensuring their most vulnerable residential customers have the services they need by suspending shutoffs for non-pay for low-income and senior customers through May 3, 2020 and extending Winter Protection Plan end dates for senior citizens and qualified low-income customers through May 3, 2020, without any additional actions required. For payment plans and assistance, visit https://www.consumersenergy.com/residential/programs-and-services/payment-assistance
City of Detroit Water Department
Detroiters who need their water turned on can sign up for DWSD’s Water Restart Plan. If you sign up before April 9, you don’t have to put any money down. If you’re a Detroit resident living without water in your home or have received a notice of service interruption, call Wayne Metro at 313-386-9727. Visit https://detroitmi.gov/departments/customer-care/water-and-sewerage-department/coronavirus-covid-19-water-restart-plan for more information.
DTE
DTE is extending shut-off protections, offering billing assistance and sharing energy savings tips to help those most severely impacted by the pandemic. Visit https://newlook.dteenergy.com/wps/wcm/connect/dte-web/quicklinks/footer/covid19-response for assistance.
SEMCO Energy Gas Company
During these challenging times SEMCO is suspending customer disconnections and waiving late fees for anyone unable to pay their monthly bills. Please call SEMCO at 800-624-2019 or visit www.semcoenergygas.com for additional information. For payment assistance programs, visit https://www.semcoenergygas.com/main/content?page=13&SideParent=0
United Way for Southeastern Michigan Utility Assistance
https://unitedwaysem.org/utility-assistance/
Water Resource Commission (Oakland County)
Please contact the Customer Service team at 248-858-1110 to have your water service restored if it has been shut off because of non-payment. https://www.oakgov.com/water/Documents/WRC%20Water%20Restoration%20Service%20.pdf
SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides benefits to eligible low-income individuals and families via an Electronic Benefits Transfer card. This card can be used like a debit card to purchase eligible food in authorized retail food stores. Visit SNAP’s eligibility page to find out more about eligibility requirements and how benefits are computed. To see if you might be eligible for SNAP benefits, you may also use FNS’s SNAP Eligibility. https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/361
City of Detroit Food Resources:
https://detroitmi.gov/departments/detroit-health-department/programs-and-services/communicable-disease/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-19-city-resources
Feeding America
Click here to read about public assistance programs or to find your local food bank.
Food Bank Council of Michigan
https://www.fbcmich.org/resources/find-a-food-bank/
Food Bank of Eastern Michigan
www.fbem.org
Gleaners Community Food Bank
www.gcfb.org
Macomb County Food Resources
https://gis.macombgov.org/portal1/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=7918e716395a42d18221ca0f61d256b3
Open Hands Food Pantry (Royal Oak; open Saturdays only)
www.openhandspantry.org
Operation FRED
FRED stands for Food Relief Emergency Delivery, a care package of essential groceries and staples to help vulnerable individuals in West Michigan. https://www.operationfred.com/
The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is certainly stressful for people… especially those already dealing with cancer. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.
Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. How you respond to the outbreak can depend on your background, the things that make you different from other people, and the community in which you live.
CancerCare
CancerCare’s comprehensive services include counseling and support groups over the phone, online and in-person, educational workshops, publications and financial and co-payment assistance. All CancerCare services are provided by oncology social workers and world-leading cancer experts. https://www.cancercare.org/coronavirus
CancerSupportCommunity.org
The Cancer Support Community (CSC) is dedicated to ensuring that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community. CSC administers a toll-free helpline and helps provide educational resources for those battling cancer. www.cancersupportcommunity.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html
COVID Response Network
A network of leaders from local community organizations, churches, and other agencies in central Oakland County who are working collaboratively to support and connect volunteers and resources with individuals and families experiencing hardships during the Coronavirus pandemic. Areas of support include: Food/Supplies, Childcare, Tutoring/Virtual Learning, Housing/Shelter, Social Support, Prayer Support, Grief Support, Safety, Addiction Support and more. For additional information visit https://www.mycovidresponse.org/ or call (248) 600-9541
Gilda’s Club
The Gilda’s Club is currently offering virtual support groups, education lectures, workshops, children/teen specific activities and groups, bereavement support groups, and social events for adults, teens and children living with cancer. www.gildasclubdetroit.org
Oakland County Mental Health Resources
https://www.oakgov.com/covid/best-practices/mental-health/Pages/default.aspx
RESTORE Crisis Text Line
Getting crisis mental health support is now as simple as sending a text to a new service being launched today by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) as part of its Stay Home, Stay Well initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic. By texting the keyword RESTORE to 741741, Michigan residents can have a confidential text conversation with a crisis counselor.
https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98158-527860–,00.html
VirusAnxiety.com
The team at Shine, in partnership with Mental Health America, have vetted and compiled a wealth of research-backed and helpful tools for you—articles, meditations, access to mental health experts, anxiety screenings, and more. www.virusanxiety.com
Cancer.gov
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the federal government’s principal agency for cancer research and training. www.cancer.gov/coronavirus
Cancer Research Institute
Life with Cancer During the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic
Prevent Cancer Infections
https://www.preventcancerinfections.org