Mi Bridges General Info.

1. Welcome Today’s Presenter: Candice L. Baker Community Resource Navigator

2. A Win-Win Endeavor Consumer Empowerment with Easier Access to Information + Department of Human Services (DHS) Congestion Reduction

3. 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.

4. Michigan’s Economic Zeitgeist Courtesy of Michigan hit tremendously hard by economic down turn Unprecedented numbers of households qualify for public assistance N onprofits struggle to meet the needs of low income families Estimated $930,000,000 in public work supports went unclaimed in Michigan annually ( See Above )  

5. Roads Blocks of Applying L ack of knowledge Welfare stigma M any stops (i.e. paper work—red tape) Under-employed (believed not eligible) D enied before Lack of transportation resources Distrust of government Office wait is frustrating & time consuming

6. 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.

7. Benefits Continued . . . Courtesy of MDHS

8. Application The following examples are of what to expect when applying for benefits through the MiBridges portal.

9. To Begin My MiBridges Courtesy of MDHS

10. Once Enrolled The following examples are what to expect once enrolled for benefits in MiBridges.

11. View Enrolled Programs Status Courtesy of MDHS

12. Control of Information Access Courtesy of MDHS

13. View Correspondence E lectronically Courtesy of MDHS

14. Goodbye Snail mail! Courtesy of MDHS

15. Benefit Info. & Current Balance Link Courtesy of MDHS

16. 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)

17. 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 A nswers to commonly asked questions are found independently via Internet or phone. Empowerment is gained when information about benefits are easily accessed

18. Thank You! www.michigan.gov/mibridges Or 1-888-MIBRIDGES 1-888-642-7434 For Information Questions/Answers Remember to encourage community members to access resources through MiBridges by: