By Betsy Smith, Network Partner Manager at Elder Law of Michigan
Michigan’s Coordinated Access to Food for the Elderly (MiCAFE) is a program of Elder Law of Michigan that helps potentially eligible older adults and individuals with disabilities access and apply for public benefits through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). MiCAFE also helps older adults and those who are struggling to renew and maintain their benefits after getting approved. Just ask Ms. E.
Ms. E contacted a MiCAFE Network Specialist to see if she could receive assistance with her Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) redetermination. Ms. E had been attempting to contact her MDHHS caseworker and was frustrated because she could not reach her caseworker. Ms. E was worried because she was required to do a phone interview with her caseworker and she thought her SNAP benefits would be terminated if she did not complete the interview. Ms. E was also concerned that some of her documents had not been processed even though she had submitted them in a timely manner.
While checking the status of Ms. E’s redetermination, it was discovered that the documentation had all been submitted, but Ms. E needed to complete her phone interview. MiCAFE’s in-house MDHHS specialist was able to reach out to Ms. E’s caseworker. Ms. E’s caseworker reported that she had tried to call Ms. E several times but received a message that Ms. E’s phone was not accepting calls. The caseworker gave MiCAFE’s in-house MDHHS specialist permission to conduct the interview with Ms. E. Ms. E was contacted that same afternoon and successfully completed the phone interview, ensuring that her SNAP benefits would be renewed. Due to Ms. E’s concern about the communication barrier with her assigned MDHHS caseworker, MiCAFE’s in-house MDHHS specialist gave Ms. E her direct phone number in case Ms. E needed more help.
With the assistance of MiCAFE and the MiCAFE in-house MDHHS specialist, Ms. E was able to maintain her SNAP benefits, ensuring that she would be able to buy groceries for another year.
If you would like help applying for, or renewing your benefits, or if you have questions about your benefits and are unable to contact your MDHHS caseworker, call MiCAFE at 877.664.2233
Betsy is the MiCAFE Network Shareholder and Partner Manager at Elder Law of Michigan. She has been a member of the Elder Law of Michigan team since September 2019. As the MiCAFE Network Partner Manager at Elder Law of Michigan, Betsy provides outreach, training, recruitment, and education to MiCAFE Network Partners and stakeholders.
