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Friends, The promise of spring is right around the corner! As we push through the last weeks of winter, please remember to stay safe while driving on snowy roads, stay mindful of crowded indoor spaces, and be sure to prioritize your physical and mental health. Featured in this newsletter:
Should you need any help, please do not hesitate to contact my office by phone at (517) 373-7350 or by email at SenDPolehanki@senate.michigan.gov. |
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Dayna Polehanki
NEW! MICHIGAN HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE FUND On Monday, Feb. 14, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) launched a new program to aid homeowners with additional financial support to help Michiganders pay their bills and stay in their homes. The Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF) uses federal resources allocated under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to provide financial assistance to homeowners who have fallen behind on homeownership-related expenses. The MIHAF program can help with delinquent mortgage, property tax and/or condominium payments, payment of escrow shortages, and past due utilities payments, including gas, water, electricity, and internet or broadband. The U.S. Treasury allocated a total of $242,812,277 to Michigan for the MIHAF program, which MSHDA anticipates will help more than 8,300 homeowners across the state. Half of the funds have been allocated by the state Legislature, and the remaining approximately $121 million must be approved later. To qualify for MIHAF, applicants must have experienced a qualified financial hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic after Jan. 21, 2020, or had a qualified hardship that began before Jan. 21, 2020, but continued after that date, meet income eligibility requirements, and the property must be owner-occupied. The maximum amount of assistance available through MIHAF per household is $25,000. Interested homeowners can find details and a link to the application portal at Michigan.gov/MIHAF or receive assistance with their application submission by calling 844-756-4423.
MORE FAMILIES TO RECEIVE MONEY-SAVING WEATHERIZATION SERVICES More low-income Michigan families will be able to now take advantage of a program that provides free home weatherization to reduce energy costs by an average of $283 per year. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has $5 million available from the U.S. Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program to pay for home repairs that are sometimes needed before weatherization services can be provided. Services funded by the pre-weatherization deferral dollars may include construction, reconstruction, improvement, or repair of single-family and multi-family residential buildings to correct health and safety conditions as identified by the weatherization assistance program’s energy audit. In a weatherization job, trained professionals known as energy auditors use computerized software and advanced diagnostic equipment to create a comprehensive energy analysis of the home. They create a customized work order so trained contractors and crew members can install the identified energy-efficient and health and safety measures, including items such as insulation, blower-door-guided air sealing of key leakage junctures, and installations such as lighting and water saving measures. Health and safety issues such as elevated levels of carbon monoxide, moisture problems, mold, ventilation needs, and heating systems safety and efficiency are also addressed. There is growing evidence that the program provides benefits beyond energy savings. Improved indoor air quality and appropriate ventilation strategies lead to healthier living conditions in weatherized homes, which often lead to reduced asthma triggers and fewer doctor visits. Anyone interested in applying for the Weatherization Assistance Program can contact their local provider. Eligibility is based on household income and home condition.
WITH FEDERAL GRAY WOLF PROTECTIONS RESTORED, TWO STATE LAWS SUSPENDED On Thursday, Feb. 10, an order from a federal court in California returned gray wolves, including those in Michigan, to the federal list of endangered species. The ruling means that two state laws governing the ability to kill wolves preying on livestock, pets, and hunting dogs have been immediately suspended. The now-suspended state laws are Public Act 318 of 2008, which allows hunting dog owners to remove, capture or use lethal means to destroy a wolf in the act of preying on the owner’s dog, and Public Act 290 of 2008, which offers the same provisions to livestock owners. Wolves in Michigan are classified as a protected game species. It remains illegal to kill a wolf, except in defense of human life. Livestock owners will continue to be compensated for wolf depredation losses. Hunting of wolves while they are on the endangered species list is not permitted. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources had supported the federal rule to delist wolves because the state’s wolf population has long surpassed federal and state goals for recovery. For more information on gray wolves in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/wolves.
JOIN THE BE THE MATCH® REGISTRY Did you know that every three minutes, someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer? Thousands of patients with blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, or other diseases like sickle cell, need a blood stem cell transplant to survive. Most patients don’t have a fully matched donor in their family — and that’s when they turn to Be The Match®. By joining the Be The Match Registry®, your genetic type will be included in the search process for every patient in need of a genetically matched donor. Please be aware of the age guidelines: For the safety of patients, only members between the ages of 18 and 40 are accepted because studies have shown that blood stem cells from younger donors provide better long-term survival rates for patients. You can join in person at a donor registry drive or online, and learn more about this program, at my.BeTheMatch.org.
WATERCRAFT REGISTRATION RENEWAL OPTIONS Customers can quickly and easily renew their watercraft registration online or at one of 160 conveniently located self-service stations statewide. Customers renew their watercraft registration online by visiting Michigan.gov/SOS, clicking the link for online services, and choosing from two options for renewing watercraft:
Watercraft registrations are renewed on a three-year cycle and expire on March 31 of the third year. Residents due for a watercraft renewal will be mailed a courtesy reminder in February. All watercraft, including those on privately owned lakes and waterways, must be registered, except for the following:
Residents can learn more about services offered online at Michigan.gov/SOS.
FAFSA DEADLINE FOR FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS IS APPROACHING Students who want to be given priority consideration for state of Michigan financial aid programs should submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid – commonly known as the FAFSA – on or before March 1, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury. The FAFSA is a critical step in the financial aid process, serving as a gateway application to be considered for grants, scholarships and other forms of financial assistance. FAFSA submissions received at the federal processor on or before March 1 are given priority consideration for the Michigan Competitive Scholarship and Michigan Tuition Grant. Students who wait to complete their FAFSA after the March 1 deadline may not receive all the financial aid they could have been entitled to receive. Prior to completing the FAFSA online, the student and at least one parent or guardian must obtain a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) at fafsa.gov. This ID serves as a legal signature and confirms an applicant’s identity when accessing financial aid information through certain U.S. Department of Education websites. To get started with the FAFSA, go to fafsa.gov. To learn more about State of Michigan scholarships and grant programs, visit MI Student Aid’s website at Michigan.gov/mistudentaid. Administered by Treasury, MI Student Aid is Michigan’s go-to resource for finding the financial resources needed to pay for college. For more information, contact MI Student Aid at mistudentaid@michigan.gov, 1-888-447-2687 or @mistudentaid on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
IMPORTANT TAX PREP INFORMATION FOR VETERANS, ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBERS Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) Director Zaneta Adams partnered for an informational video aimed at protecting military members during tax filing season. The video, now available on the Department of Attorney General’s YouTube page, highlights important reminders for veterans and active military members. Current and former members of the military are encouraged to visit IRS.gov for tax forms and information specific to your status as a veteran or active-duty member. Additional resources are available through the MVAA’s website or by calling 1-800-MICH-VET. Anyone who thinks they’re being targeted by a filing scam because of their military status should file a complaint with the Department of Attorney General. Consumer complaints can be filed online at the Attorney General’s website, or if you have questions, call 877-765-8388. |
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