CARES Relief & Recovery Services
In an effort to respond to the immediate needs of Berrien, Cass and Van Buren County residents, SMCAA is implementing our CARES Relief and Recovery Services. Through this new initiative, residents may qualify for assistance in the following areas:
Food Support
Distributing food through 2-1-1 referrals
Water & Energy Assistance
Providing residents with financial assistance towards electric, gas and water utilities
Emergency Repairs
Provide plumbing or hot water heater repairs that will resolve the immediate emergency with access to water services for health and safety
Rent & Mortgage Assistance
Providing rental assistance and help towards mortgage payments
Who Qualifies?
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200% of Poverty
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Layoff, Decrease in Hours, Recipient of Unemployment
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Receipt of benefits through the MI Dept. of Health and Human Service
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Benefits to include but not limited to: SNAP, TANF, SDA, Medicaid and childcare benefits
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Current enrollee in other assistance programs (Ex. MEAP, HUD programs) that currently have income guideline restrictions
Outside Our Region?
Michigan
Residents:
National
Partnership:
Begin Your Application Process
If you fit within the qualifications of CARES, you may begin the SMCAA application process. Until further notice, SMCAA's offices will remain closed. Our application process will be completed via the phone (call 269-925-9077) and/or online.
The following are documents you must include with your application:
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Proof of Identification: Social Security cards for all household members, birth certificates for infants under 12 months of age, documentation for all foster children in household, ID copy of head of household, AND a picture of head of household holding their ID
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Proof of Income: all earned income information for everyone 18 years and older who reside in household
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Proof of Emergency: copy of utility bill OR copy of current lease and letter from landlord with total amount you are behind on rent
If you do not include all required documents, your application will not be processed. For a full list of documentation necessary to apply for CARES relief, click HERE.
The following documents must be completed in their entirety to successfully apply for CARES relief:
Client Application Income Worksheet Release of Information Resolve/Not Reoccur Grievance Appeals
Unsure if you have completed the application and supporting documents? Click HERE for a CARES Client Checklist.
Once you have your completed application with supporting documents, you may send it to the following:
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Email: Linda Mills at lmills@smcaa.com
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Fax: 269-934-8242 ATTN: Linda Mills
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Mailing Address: 185 E. Main St., Ste 303
ATTN: Linda Mills
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
Questions?
Call SMCAA at 269-925-9077.
