The document discusses MiBridges, an online portal for applying for and managing benefits from the Michigan Department of Human Services. MiBridges allows users to apply for benefits, check case status, recertify benefits, view correspondence, and check benefit balances online. The goals of MiBridges are to reduce office visits and phone calls to DHS, ease congestion, and empower users by providing easy access to benefit information. While MiBridges has benefits, some may still face barriers to using it such as lack of computer access, literacy, or knowledge that the online system exists.

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
 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)

5. Roads Blocks of Applying
Lack 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

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

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

17. View Enrolled Programs Status
Courtesy of MDHS

18. Control of Information Access
Courtesy of MDHS

19. View Correspondence Electronically
Courtesy of MDHS

20. Goodbye
Snail mail!
Courtesy of

21. Benefit Info. & Current Balance Link
Courtesy of

22. 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)

23. 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

24. 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: