ASSISTANCE

Whether you’re in poor physical shape and it’s difficult to leave your home for necessary medical care, or you just aren’t able to drive yourself to appointments, there are many reasons why someone might choose in-home health care.

Metro Detroit nonprofit Wayne Metro Community Action Agency exists to offer help to local residents in need.

On Saturday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency has granted her request to expand the Major Disaster Declaration to include households in Macomb and Oakland counties following heavy rainfall and flooding across southeast Michigan in late June. FEMA’s agreement to expand the disaster declaration follows a letter Whitmer sent to FEMA appealing a previous denial of assistance to the areas.

Even if a judge has ordered an eviction, residents may be able to appeal the case or receive help through the new program.

The U.S. withholds a tenth of military aid to the country. But its autocratic ruler General Sisi gets a lot more help from other powers.

Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) reportedly threatened embassy staff in defiant attempts to enter Kabul last month.

A month after the historic flooding in Metro Detroit new FEMA centers have opened in Garden City, Detroit and Dearborn.

Were you impacted by the damaging storms? There are ways to get help.

Whitmer said she’s been in touch with Federal Emergency Management Agency and members of Congress, but disaster relief may not come in time as rain is expected to return to Metro Detroit.

“It was very exciting. It was relieving,” Cardella said. “It was a lifesaver. It’s not an overstatement.”

Eligible families can receive up to $3,600 for every child 5 or younger and $3,000 for any child between the ages of 6-17.

A new federal program will help low-income Michigan residents pay their internet bill amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The foreclosure ban in Wayne County has been extended.

READ: Local organizations to invest $500M into Detroit, eliminate homeowner property tax debt for thousandsThe funds will start with help for homeowners with overdue property taxes. “No person should have to make the decision of the choice between keeping them home of feeding their family,” Gilbert said. Gilbert and his wife, Jennifer, are pledging half of a billion dollars through the Gilbert Family Foundation and the Rocket Community Fund to make a real impact on the problems people face. “I’d much rather see property taxes paid, interest and penalties waived, fees waived, fees removed and people have the ability to pay their taxes,” Evans said. AdTo learn more about the organizations’ investment, visit the Gilbert Family Foundation’s website here.

One major announcement: Part of the investment will eliminate property tax debt owed by tens of thousands of low-income Detroit homeowners. According to officials, an initial investment of $15 million from the Gilbert Family Foundation will be used to establish the Detroit Tax Relief Fund. Through the fund, an estimated 20,000 low-income homeowners in Detroit will have their property tax debt completely wiped away. The Rocket Community Fund operates under the company. “This impactful announcement comes with a promise of a brighter future and a deepened commitment to Detroit.”AdTo learn more about the organizations’ investment, visit the Gilbert Family Foundation’s website here.

DETROIT – You may know the name Mother Waddles because you’ve heard of the charitable car donation program. But, Mother Waddles is not just a name. The Reverend Charleszetta Waddles devoted her life to providing food, hope and dignity to thousands of the city’s poorest citizens. Now her grandson is on a mission to have the city of Detroit bestow long overdue honor for her years of work. Click here to visit the Mother Waddles website.

DETROIT – A new food movement is sweeping the nation to help families affected by the pandemic. The idea, Lasagna Love, is helping ease food insecurity for families. I drive around,” Jolie Abreu with Lasagna Love said. “We went from 16 volunteers ... Goal is feeding families.”The organization was founded to help families facing food insecurity due to the COVID pandemic. AdClick here to learn more about Lasagna Love.

LANSING, Mich. – More than 62,000 people have applied to Michigan Reconnect since the program launched on Feb. 2. The program is called Michigan Reconnect. The number of applicants jumped last week when 14,000 Michiganders who applied but didn’t qualify for Futures for Frontliners were automatically enrolled for Michigan Reconnect. It is also available to eligible adults already enrolled in their local community college. READ: Michigan offers free community college tuition to residents 25 and older -- Here’s how to applyWhat is Michigan Reconnect?

LANSING, Mich. – More than 40,000 Michigan residents have applied for community college tuition assistance since the program launched two weeks ago, according to officials. The program is called Michigan Reconnect. READ: Michigan offers free community college tuition to residents 25 and older -- Here’s how to applyMichigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she has a goal of ensuring that 60 percent of Michigan residents have a degree or post-secondary credential by 2030. “Michiganders interested in a professional trades career can still take advantage of Michigan Reconnect by pursuing credentials through their community college.”AdWhat is Michigan Reconnect?

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – Small businesses in Sterling Heights that have been impacted by COVID-19 can apply for assistance. The program provides CARES Act CDBG-CV grants (not loans) to small businesses with 500 employees or less. The funds can be used to purchase materials or equipment needed to adapt business space to comply with CDC guidelines, purchase safety supplies for employees, and general financial assistance due to COVID-19 shortfalls. AdThis program will provide much needed help to many of our City’s small businesses as they deal with the additional, unexpected obligations they are facing due to the coronavirus. Sterling Heights Mayor Michael TaylorClick here to learn more information.

DETROIT – With little government assistance, nearly 110,000 restaurants in the United States have closed in 2020. The European Central Bank decided Thursday to increase its stimulus by $600 billion, bringing the total to $2.2 trillion to help keep businesses and workers afloat. In lieu of government assistance, one Metro Detroit business owner is trying to help his customers with the help of carry-out customers. The program runs Dec. 7- Dec. 25 and Atlas will support up to $100,000 in total. You can find ClickOnDetroit’s continually updated list of resources that assist food service workers here.

MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. – A program in Macomb County is working to expand food banks to meet the needs of families in the community. READ: Macomb Community Action works to help people during COVID-19 pandemicIn Macomb County, various services have lost volunteers so agencies are backfilling with county employees to pick up the slack. The need for community assistance is still growing -- there are people who have never needed food assistance before reaching out for help. Macomb Community Action is now pooling federal grant money, private donations and funds almost anywhere they can find them to support food pantries. Macomb Community Action is working to find equipment to outfit more than 70 food pantries to assist them in their expansion.

MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. – The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is not just impacting people’s health -- every state in the country is down from its February employment levels. READ: Why you should care about the American Community SurveyMany people in Metro Detroit have lost their jobs and are struggling to put food on the table. Macomb Community Action is working to ease the burden. Click here to learn more about the organization. Watch the video above for the full story

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of the Treasury and IRS released figures on the current status of U.S. economic impact payments on Friday. The federal government is providing economic impact payments -- also known as stimulus payments -- to residents in response to financial hardships faced by Americans amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Officials expect to deliver more than 150 million payments in total. The Treasury released a document that shows the number of economic impact payments provided within each state and their total dollar amounts. The document says 4,081,884 payments have been distributed among Michiganders amid the pandemic, totaling $7,045,417,642 as of Saturday.

DETROIT – Michigan offers several programs to help residents in times of hardship. With more than one million out of work in the state due to coronavirus, these resources are as important as ever. MIBridges, the state’s benefit program site, can help you navigate through available programs and through the application process. Available programs include:Food Assistance Program (FAP) (Provides benefits to buy or grow food) Related: Michigan expands food assistance benefits, suspends SNAP work requirements amid coronavirusHealthcare Coverage (Helps pay for medical costs)Child Development & Care (CDC) (Helps pay for childcare costs)Cash Assistance (Provides cash to help meet basic needs)State Emergency Relief (Provides help or assistance for emergency housing, utility, and burial situations)Go to MIBridge to learn more and apply for programs. Related: Q&A: Michigan unemployment agency answers questions about issues applying for benefits

DETROIT – The Michigan Department of Human Services announced Wednesday that income from federal stimulus payments will not affect eligibility for public assistance benefits such as food assistance. Stimulus checks also will not reduce the amount of public assistance benefits that anyone receives. We don’t want them to worry about losing other benefits as a result of the stimulus payments.”Stimulus payments will not affect any of the following public assistance benefits:Food Assistance Program benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Cash assistance under the Family Independence Program or Refugee Cash Assistance program. Click here to visit the 2020 Coronavirus Stimulus Payment website.